New Vrindaban: The Black Sheep of ISKCON
Copyright 2002-07 by Henry Doktorski
The End of an Era

Kirtan Party
NV "rebels." Kevala Bhakti, Radhanatha Swami, Rupanuga, Nityo Dita Swami, and Sri Galim.

Chapter outline:
    Factors which made the six-year reign of Bhaktipada's great experiment possible.
    Rumblings of discontent.
      "The Bengali-style kirtan rocked."
      The Westernized temple program: "sluggish and perfunctory."
    Opponents of Christianization cite Prabhupada.
      "Hodge-podge of all nonsense."
      "New Age goulash."
      Silent chanting not recommended.
      Prabhupada's letters condemning Kirtanananda's 1967 attempt to Westernize Krishna consciousness.
    Outright revolt.
    Attendance and punctuality decline.
    Dress at temple functions neglected.
    Bengali kirtan never prohibited.
    Bengali kirtan at the old Vrindaban farm.
    Bhaktipada sings gurvastakam prayers at palace.
    Other factors contributing to the dissolution of Western music at New Vrindaban.
Hrishikesh Leading Kirtan
Even Maestro Hrishikesh sometimes led traditional kirtan, as evidenced from this photograph taken at the New Vrindaban temple ca. 1989 or 1990. Rupanuga provided rhythm accompaniment on the mrdanga.

Bhaktipada leading kirtan at the palace
Bhaktipada leading Sanskrit prayers at the palace, December 29, 1990.

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