Daniel Tucker: The trailer for your upcoming "Women of Bhakti" film is so beautiful, so enticing. How did you first get the idea for this film?

Jahnava Devi: The inspiration for the Women of Bhakti film came about in response to the yoga/kirtan community's growing interest in bhakti. As a long time student, practitioner and teacher of bhakti yoga I have experienced and witnessed the profound effects that living in bhakti can have on people both individually and collectively. The treasures of bhakti are meant to be passed on, and I felt a sort of inspirational calling to create a film and forum that can share the beauty, richness and healing effects of bhakti across the globe. I hope the film will bring divine service into the hearts, homes and lives of everyone.

Daniel: You must have had an amazing time interviewing these women, the kirtan leaders you're featuring in the film. Were there any particularly memorable moments from that process that you can share?

There were many truly amazing experiences. We felt like we were riding a magical carpet being driven from one miraculous experience to the next. It showed me that when we want to serve and are willing to take a risk to be of service, then Universal grace pours down upon us. Here are two examples of that grace:

We went to Madhuvan, a small sacred village in Vrndavan, India. These people have been living in bhakti for hundreds and hundreds of generations. Within twenty minutes of arriving and asking if we could film some of the women doing kirtan, a big group of women came and sat down by the holy river and began chanting bhajans. Their beautiful faces reflected the love in their hearts as they sang out to their beloved Lord Krishna. It was real, raw, amazing. After we had gotten enough footage, we wanted to wrap things up, but the ladies of Madhuvan were not interested in ending their kirtan just because we were done filming and when we asked them questions about bhakti such as what is the meaning of bhakti and what would you tell westerners who want to practice bhakti, all they could do was lift their arms into the sky and say chant the holy names and do kirtan. They stayed there for hours doing what they love to do most - chant the holy names in love.

In America, we interviewed Yamuna Devi, who began practicing bhakti yoga in America 44 years ago. She was the first kirtan singer in the west to record an album of sacred Sanskrit mantras. The album Radha Krishna Temple, was recorded and produced by George Harrison in London on Apple Records in the 60's. The album went mainstream and became number one on the charts in ten countries. In the Women of Bhakti interview, Yamuna Devi's heart went very deep and she shared practical and priceless treasures of bhakti wisdom. Actually, Yamuna Devi departed from this world on December 19th, and it struck us how important this film is because we are able to capture the gems of wisdom from living heroines of bhakti. In fact, the film is a tribute to all of the unsung heroines of bhakti: past, present, future.

Daniel: When I've traveled in India, I've noticed that kirtan leaders are often men. Yet in the west, there are more women leading and participating in kirtan! What do you feel accounts for this shift?

Jahnava Devi: Interesting observation. My experience has been a little different. In Vrndavan, Jaipur, Varshana, and other places known for devotional kirtan I have seen the women leading more than the men! I guess it depends on which part of India you go to. But there are definitely fewer social stigmas in the west, which makes the arena wide open for anyone to take a leading role.

Daniel: A lot of people come to Kirtan Central to begin to learn harmonium, so they can sing kirtan at home and with friends. And some seventy percent are women! What would you say to a woman who is just beginning the journey of learning harmonium and learning kirtan music?

Jahnava Devi: That's wonderful! Kirtan is such a powerful way to call out in love and uplift the world. The main thing to keep in mind is that the real qualifications for empowered kirtan are not just technical musical abilities but heartfelt expression of love, devoid of pride and self centeredness. If the intention is right, the kirtan will be magical.

Daniel: Thank you so much for sharing your art and devotion with us.

Jahnava Devi: Thank you!