In this second post about music, Leslie shares how her musical journey through Amrita Virtual Academy with the ganjira led her to start to learn how to play the kaimani*, the challenges she faced and ways she could overcome them.
* (handbells – kai means hand and mani bell in Malayalam).
The Rhythm of the Mind
In my first blog, I shared my journey with the ganjira. Let me now share with you how the ganjira led me to learn kaimani, about the challenges I faced while practicing and playing with others, and the wonderful ways I was shown to overcome those challenges.
During a silent retreat in Hawaii, despite being a beginner, I was blessed to play the ganjira during bhajans. While I was playing though, the singer sitting next to me gave me a thumbs up and then indicated that I should play softer, and then softer, and even softer until I was effectively muted!
So, following his guidance, I continued to play the ganjira very quietly, while still enjoying the amazing energy that is created when one is inside the music with a group of musicians. I felt like I was blessed to be allowed to experience a world in which I felt I didn’t actually belong.
Kaimani teacher Lalita
The next day, it just so happened that I met Lalitha, who was also at the retreat. She offered to show me a few simple beats to play for each of the bhajans scheduled for that night. I could not imagine how I was going to remember everything. But when it came time, I somehow remembered all she had shown me!
The kaimani player and I connected during this set, and while making eye contact, he mouthed the beats and rhythms for me to follow.
Then, the same person who had asked me to play quietly the previous night – started asking me to play louder and louder!
So the next night, I tried once again to play the ganjira. If I didn’t know how to play properly, I flipped it over in my lap and tapped in rhythm along with the kaimani player. That is when I realized that if I wanted to hear the music better I needed to also learn kaimani.
I soon began taking kaimani lessons through Amrita Virtual Academy. When I signed up, I was so surprised and encouraged to see that Lalitha was actually one of the teachers!
…by continuing to show up, and by practicing my instruments, I trust that I am doing what I can to become fit for the path...
My son’s old room has become my puja/music room where I practice. But just like my sadhana, I often don’t feel like practicing my instruments when it is time.
Every morning, when I ask myself to stay focused while chanting archana, I find my mind wandering. It is the same with my music practice. I can intellectually understand what I need to do, and set an intention, but there is always the mind creating a distraction. I find that the same qualities of shradha (faith and loving awareness) and laksha bodham (intent on the Goal)that are needed for the path are needed for learning these instruments.
Just as when I learn about the teachings of Vedanta, I can intellectually understand them, but I find it difficult to put them into practice in my life. I find myself challenged to move from a concept, an understanding of the rhythms I want to play, to an experience of actually being able to play them. This requires repeated effort and grace. In this, and other ways, these instruments become my teachers.
To be honest, when I sit along with the musicians during bhajans, I’m not actually that comfortable. If I listen to my mind telling me that I am an old western woman with no musical talent, I won’t be able to do anything.
…by practicing, and holding a vision of letting a pure divine expression shine through, I keep going. I am always glad I did afterwards. I just let the discipline lead. One day, maybe I will be clear enough to have the kind of one pointed focus that allows the Divine to shine through in a pure form…
But, still, I just keep showing up, not caring so much about what I think and feel. And by practicing, and holding a vision of letting a pure divine expression shine through, I keep going. I am always glad I did afterwards. I just let the discipline lead. I trust that I am doing what I can to become fit for the path.
Amma says we are not kittens—we are lions. We are not candles that need to be lit by the world—we are the self effulgent sun. Why should I care what my mind says? I should be willing to sometimes not shine, but still be able to offer whatever I can to Amma. After all, she will not waste half a grain of rice; She will find a way to do something good with me.
One day, maybe I will be clear enough to have the kind of one pointed focus that allows the Divine to shine through in a pure form.
For now, regardless of what my mind thinks, I just keep showing up. It’s time to practice.
Thanks to Leslie for sharing her inspiring experience with Amrita Virtual Academy. We encourage you to try out the Kaimani Course with Anu Chechi and Lalitha, here.
Amrita Virtual Academy offers a wide range of musical classes, from singing to learning different instruments. See more here.
As a Amrita Virtual Academy member you have access to more than 60 different courses in different fields. Discover more about the AVA Membership here, and join.
For almost two years I have been doing seva (“selfless service”) for Amrita Virtual Academy. And, since I rarely get to take any of the courses, I honestly got very curious about all that’s in the Amrita Virtual Academy Membership. I love almost all the topics I see, and want to know exactly what I can learn. So, I decided to try out the Membership for 24 hours, have fun, and take you along. You’re invited to join me as I share my weekend adventure with you!
SATURDAY NIGHT
To begin, let me first login, and take another look at the AVA Membership… On the Student Dashboard I see all kinds of courses presented right away. Hmm… What shall I choose? I’ve got to start somewhere. What I’ve been longing to check out are the “Natural Living: Health and Harmony” and “Art of Natural Plant Dyeing” courses, plus the “Amrita Prasadam Indian Cooking” and “Devotional Singing” courses. (I also work as a classical singer, so I am curious to dive more deeply into devotional singing.) Also, I looooove, love, love cooking, so I want to see the amazing recipes and videos of the Indian Cooking classes.
My only activity tonight is to look around the Student Dashboard, and watch some of the content, so I know what to plan for tomorrow. Let’s start with my absolute favorite, Natural Living!!!
Exploring the Wellness Course, “Natural Living: Health and Harmony”
Oooh, a prayer to Amma before the course starts. Love it!
And, the video shows the Ecoshop in Amritapuri! I’m in India now, so I can easily go there. But, I imagine if you are in the West, and you miss the ashram here, then seeing the Ecoshop can literally feel like AVA is bringing Amritapuri into your home.
Oooh, we can learn to make eco-friendly gifts that support nature!
Look, it’s my singing friend in the video! “Hi Tejasvini! You look so cute in your white-and-pink sari!”
Right, we are going to make Mist Sprays with Essential Oils! I have wanted to do that for so long. I don’t have the essential oils at home that she speaks about, but tomorrow I will check which oils I DO have, and then make a home-and-body spray! Yippie!
Okay, next…I would love to cook something this weekend from the Indian Cooking courses.
Oooee, what are these Vegan Bliss Balls in Natural Living?
Wait, what? I seriously have everything in my flat (apartment) to make these balls tomorrow! But you know, since I’m no longer tired, I’m going to start making them right away.
Looking in my kitchen I see I have 90% of the ingredients, and have decided to replace the oatmeal with puffed quinoa. First I mix the dry ingredients, then add the wet ingredients, and make the bliss balls. Wauw, they are delicious! And, so easy to make.
Well, after that, I am still energized, so I’m going to see if I have any essential oils to make the mist spray taught in the course. Hmmm, I don’t have any, except a few final drops. But, what I do have, is a brown, plastic spray bottle I can use for when I do have oils. (You can see a photo of the brown bottle above and a fabric strip of my mum’s embroidered roses pictured in the background.) I’m going to head over to the Ecoshop in the coming days, and check if I can get some affordable oils to make my own spray. We will be going on tour with Amma soon, so I don’t want to spend too much now.
SUNDAY MORNING
Learning Indian Cooking with the “Amrita Prasadam” Courses
There are so many wonderful Amrita Prasadamvideos and recipes to choose from! I decided to make dosas, and check out the recipe for Coconut Chutney. Cool—all the recipe videos are right there on the Cooking page. (I clicked on “Cooking” in the left menu, on the Student Dashboard to bring up the Cooking page. I could also just type “coconut chutney” in the search bar to get there.) And, there is a video with the recipe: “Masala Dosa & Coconut Chutney”. Right, I see this is high-level Indian cooking. This is a great recipe for coconut chutney, but I don’t have everything needed in my little kitchen, so let’s make it with what I have! Yeah! It turned out to be yummy. Thank you, Vaju! <3
The prayer to Amma in the beginning is really awesome. Since we do it before every seva in the ashram, it becomes a regular part of life. Also, it’s beautiful how the focus of the singing course is on connecting more to Amma by singing bhajans. Ooo… I see it’s a course for 8 weeks.
I looked quickly through it and saw videos with all kinds of vocal exercises to learn ragas. (A raga is like a set of rules for building a melody—very similar to the Western concept of a music scale or mode.)
Wauw! I wanna learn this. And you know what’s amazing? You can make a video of yourself, and send it in to the teaching assistant to get feedback on your singing! In the coming weeks I will continue taking this singing course with Ratna. (She’s Brahmachari Ramanandamritaji’s sister!) I have seen the satsang, “The Essence of Music”, with Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri in the past weeks, and it is just gold! A must watch for music lovers.
SUNDAY EVENING
Enjoying The Art of Natural Plant Dyeing
Now, finally I can go into The Art of Natural Plant Dyeing! I was ‘dying’ to dive into this one… Okay, I see now that the course includes 12 hours of videos. So, let’s get started!
This whole course was recorded here in Amritapuri, in the Saraswati house—a place not everybody knows of yet. I was there a while ago, and it felt as if I went into the forest to see the medicine lady (the good witch) of the village to learn about the healing properties of different plants and herbs.
The sevites (volunteers) in the Saraswati house make all kinds of beautiful clothes with fabrics and natural dyes—one of the ultimate feminine and natural spots in Amritapuri.
Ayurvastra is an old ‘craft’ or ‘science’ about the healing art of natural plants in fabric. I learned from the class that it takes far more time to dye fabrics this way than it does to dye fabrics for the clothes we buy in regular shops. But, it is so healing for us, and also for the environment. “Fast fashion” becomes landfill garbage. I would love a sari dyed with Ayurvastra! Also in the Amrita Boutique here in Amritapuri, garments are sold that are made by Padma, who volunteers in the Saraswati house. (You can see her in the photo here, along with our Mindful Movement instructor, Neelima.)
Like Devotional Singing, Art of Natural Plant Dyeing is an 8-week course. I will be watching it in parts in the coming weeks, since I don’t want to overload myself now.
CONCLUSION
I’ve learned it’s especially good if you can join the year-long AVA Membership option, because, dear Goddess, it’s so beautiful, all this content! Soooo much valuable learning, plus arts and crafts…I am so grateful I have found this.
I didn’t even get into the language courses, the retreats, and the gardening courses yet. This is a true treasure chest of knowledge, with amazing spiritual lessons and satsangs everywhere you look! Truly “Learning Values Through the Arts!”
Love, Tanmayi Netherlands
P.S. Hey, that’s me in the AVA Membership… Ooooh It’s from my own little singing course…
In December 2022, I began taking music instrument classes from Amrita Virtual Academy, starting with the ganjira. In February 2024, I also started learning kaimani. Both classes have had a strong impact on my life, my path and my sadhana. They have given me access to a practice that has sent its roots deep into many areas of my life.
The classes have helped connect me to other spiritual seekers in a beautiful way. They have challenged me to expand at multiple levels and shown me that it is most important that my actions be connected to love. They have also shown me that Amma is very much with me, that her plans are often surprising, and that her work is deep and constant. I feel very lucky to find myself in these classes. I would not have predicted that I would do something like this.
In this first blog post, I would like to tell the story about how, by Amma’s Grace, I started to attend these classes, beginning with the ganjira, and how I found my ganjira teacher, Br. Vipin.
The story begins in Amma’s Ashram Amritapuri….
The first time I remember hearing a ganjira was in the Kali temple at Amritapuri. It was in the fall of 2022 on my first trip to India. Every morning, women gather for archana in the Kali temple. The 1000 Names of the Divine Mother are followed by the Sri Mahisausuramardini Stotram – a chant depicting an epic battle where the Divine Mother in the form of Durga slays various demons. Normally, there are no instruments played during the chanting but one day, the woman who was leading the chant played the ganjira.
This changed everything for me.
The stotram came to life. I became enchanted and wondered if I could learn to play that instrument to bring this experience home with me.
Connecting to the ganjira back home
I am not really musical, and I had never heard a ganjira played like that before. No one I spoke to had either. The thought of my learning to play one seemed like a long shot. But as it turned out, some time after I got home, I saw lessons offered online through the Amrita Virtual Academy. So now, all I needed was the instrument.
A few weeks later, I rode with a friend to the San Ramon Ashram in California to attend satsang.
That very night, someone was playing a ganjira, in the bookstore, after bhajans. And sure enough, he was a student of Br. Vipin who teaches both in-person and online ganjira classes through Amrita Virtual Academy. We then discovered that a few ganjiras were for sale in the bookstore. We each bought one that very night.
“This is how the Amma introduced me to my teacher and to my instrument.“
But that is not the end of her grace.
The online classes
Now that I had my own ganjira, I quickly signed up for the online class. The class is detailed and starts with a comprehensive lesson on how to approach the instrument, how to hold it, and how to respect it.
Br. Vipin introduces a few basic beats (or rhythms) used in Indian music which we are encouraged to practice with a metronome. Then step by step, beat by beat, the classes add something new each time. Each section of the course is followed by an invitation to connect with Br. Vipin and submit a sample of our homework in video format. Br. Vipin then responds with encouraging words and clear and precise recommendations for improvement.
At the beginning, my playing was a bit stiff, my timing was off, and in some ways, not strong. Despite this, we—the ganjira and I—would practice and play together. If I found an exercise too challenging to do on my own with the metronome. I would just set a 20 minute timer and play along with Br. Vipin and the demonstration videos, until it felt natural to me.
Returning to Amritapuri
In September 2023, I returned to Amritapuri where I was able to meet Br. Vipin in person and take in-person lessons. During our first lesson at the beach, he mentioned that this day was Ganesh Chaturthi (celebration of the birth of Lord Ganesh) and that a group of young people would be playing bhajans as part of the Ganesh puja at the Kalari (the space where Amma first started to give darshan and where the fire ceremonies are now held). He invited me to join them. It turned out to be a wonderful experience—very vibrant, fun and dynamic. This opened up to other opportunities for me to play along with others.
There is a video from the Ganesh Chaturthi 2023. You can see it here.
Shortly after Ganesh Chaturthi, during Onam (the harvest festival of Kerala where the relationship between man and Nature and human beings and God, is celebrated—read more here), I was able to hear first-hand other forms of percussion that are found in Kerala. This helped to give me a context for what I was trying to create with the ganjira.
“As we continued our in-person lessons, Br. Vipin helped refine my playing. He stressed that the purpose of playing is a meditation—a way to come closer to God, to bring the name of God to others, and to multiply the blessings of what we have received.“
The ganjira as part of my spiritual path
Br. Vipin also gave tips to help me reduce my tension by encouraging me to slow down, relax, be in the moment and to play naturally. Through these suggestions, as well as through the focus on playing as a meditation, he wove ganjira playing into my spiritual path.
In Napa Valley, California (also known as wine country) people talk about “terroir”, a way of referring to the unique, recognizable qualities that a specific soil of an area offers to a grape, and later to the wine it produces. Being immersed in the rhythms of Amritapuri and the surrounding area, I was able to feel that terroir of the rhythms of the Ganjira. I could hear them echoing from their origin.
Recognizing this instrument as a form of Amma’s love has helped me to keep practicing. Every now and then, I hear something lovely in my playing—it feels like a kind of grace, an attunement with the beauty contained within all things. This has become my meditation practice.
Try out the Ganjira Course with Brahmachari Vipin, here.
Amrita Virtual Academy offers a wide range of musical classes, from singing to learning different instruments. See more here.
As a Amrita Virtual Academy member you have access to more than 60 different courses in different fields. Discover more about the AVA Membership here, and join.
During the coronavirus pandemic, we began offering online music classes. Before, I only taught the Ganjira in person, and only at Amritapuri. Many students were eager to learn, but some could only visit the ashram for one or two weeks and so did not have enough time to delve deep into their studies or take many lessons.
Since people couldn’t come to Amritapuri at all during the pandemic, we began to conduct Ganjira classes online through Amrita Virtual Academy, with great benefit. As learning an instrument can take some time, students could progress from home at their own pace through a large variety of rhythms and beats. They could submit video assignments or join us for live sessions according to their own schedules. It was really inspiring to connect over Zoom and offer feedback and encouragement. Our students are so sincere and dedicated. Here is some feedback from one of our Ganjira students from Spain named Sridevi:
I have just finished the first Ganjira (Headed Tambourine) course and I want to share my experience with you.
As a whole, it has been a blessing, as are all of the ways Amma gives us to grow and become closer to ourselves. I would not say that learning a new instrument has always been easy for me, but the whole time I felt I was in the best company possible. During the classes I felt very well cared for — guided through all of the hurdles and gently brought out of any potholes on the road of learning.
I had never learned how to play any other instrument before I started the Ganjira course at Amrita Virtual Academy — a virtual holy space inspired by Amma. Because of this my progress felt slow, but the effort was worth it to grow closer to Amma’s teachings and the feelings of inner spiritual presence this musical sadhana offers.
Learning an instrument is a very easy and sweet way to keep your mind on God all day, because you go so deep into the lesson that you can spend a great part of the day delving into the bhajan you are studying that week. It also helps us become oblivious to any toxic atmospheres we may be subjected to in our day-to-day lives. Bhajans are a great inner companion — always offering positive thoughts and vibrations — in contrast with what we sometimes have to hear when living in the world. Immersing ourselves in bhajans is like wearing a shield!
Devotional practices are always sweet, even from the beginning. However, trying to learn something new can be frustrating at times, and that is a great time to practice some of the qualities Amma constantly reminds us to cultivate: patience, acceptance, will-power, perseverance, determination to continue, focus, and self-confidence. It is a very long list!
Playing takes a lot of coordination, as the left hand also plays its part in making the music! One hand (the right) strikes the Ganjira, while the other hand (the left), helps tune and adjust the quality of the sound. I’m so grateful for this excellent step-by-step course, which helped me make strong progress in learning this instrument.
I’m sure that anyone with an interest in learning the Ganjira will really enjoy this course, and soon be joyfully playing along with Amma’s bhajans. May the grace of the divine be with you all in your musical inner journey! May the Divine Mother bless us all with her presence within every time we pick up our instruments.
Om Namah Shivaya! Sridevi
It really brightens my heart to hear such beautiful thoughts from this student, who obviously has been studying hard while connecting with the depths and deep benefits available from the gangira and other instruments we teach at Amrita Virtual Academy.
We are so grateful to all our students who have helped AVA come to life. It has been a beautiful few years together. We look forward to further learning and growing together. If you have any questions about the Ganjira, please contact us at support@amritavirtualacademy.com.
In order to really deepen one’s ability in playing an instrument, one must first truly understand it, appreciate it, learn about its historical significance, its physical properties, and how it’s used. Selecting any instrument is a highly personalized process and developing a special relationship of love and reverence towards it will help in honing in on the right instrument.
In the Kaimani: Level 1 Art of Handbells course, we spend some time learning about the ethnomusicology aspects of the Kaimani, its place in devotional music and its relevance in Amma’s bhajans. This kind of research and understanding will help you find the type of instrument you may be drawn to. Or maybe, I should say, that this kind of love and understanding will facilitate the process for the right instrument to find you!
What is a Kaimani?
Kaimani literally means hand (kai) bell (mani) in the Malayalam language. In North India, it is called Kartaal or Manjira or Manjeera. For South Indian Bharatanatyam (classical dance) it is known as Nattuvangam.
Used in temples and homes for centuries, this classical Indian instrument adds rhythm and beauty to devotional music. The bells create a soft and subtle tone, which are instrumental in keeping time. Notably, the Kaimani for Amma’s bhajans are tuned to specific keys (sruthis) and different sets of hand bells are often chosen based on the key of the bhajan.
Types of Kaimani
Bell Shaped Stringed Kaimani
There are two types of Kaimani that are most used. The first, and more common one, is the stringed Kaimani. The cymbal is typically flat, polished, shiny and made out of brass or other bell metals. If the cymbal surface is smaller, lightweight, it will have a brighter tone with less resonance. The other type of stringed Kaimani has a bell shaped, textured cymbal. It has a deeper tone with a lower pitch than the flat kind. The bell itself is usually darker in color than the flat, polished variety.
Beaded Kaimani
The second type of Kaimani utilizes wooden or plastic beads as the main handgrip on each cymbal. These bells are usually a darker color, more resonant and have a deeper tone. If the bell has more of a cupped shaped and textured surface, it may have a lower and more resonant tone. Generally, the beaded Kaimanis are also louder and their sound can be overpowering. When you’re trying out different pairs of Kaimani, it’s important to consider the context you may be playing it. For example, if you are just practicing on your own in a small space, you might want a smaller and flat Kaimani that is lighter and less resonant. However, if you plan to play for live bhajans or kirtan sessions amidst loud amplified music, then a more resonant or deeper toned Kaimani would better suit that particular context. The beaded Kaimani are the more preferred type in Amma’s bhajan group. However, I have personally cherished playing the stringed kind for some of Amma’s bhajan sessions in order to get lighter texture that’s better for recordings.
In my early days of playing percussion instruments, I was quite enamored in selecting my instruments and forged a deep love and lasting connection with them. In fact, I used to hold the tabla and sleep with it closeby. These instruments are manifestations of the divine; the love or bond you develop with your instrument will truly help you progress in your playing.
