Amghat Harinama Sankirtan Dal 1977

Amghat Harinam Sankirtan Dal

The one and only 1977 Mayapur Kirtan Competition was a seminal moment in ISKCON’s history, bringing together international devotees and traditional Bengali kirtan parties on a single stage. Held under the sweltering heat of Mayapur, the event required participating parties to pour their hearts into intense, hour-long live performances.

International & Regional Performers

The competition featured a dynamic mix of global ISKCON centers and deeply rooted local kirtan traditions:

International ISKCON Groups: Represented by teams such as the Chicago Temple coalition, the combined LA/San Francisco Temple team, the Nama Hatta Group, and the young chanters of the Mayapur Chandrodaya Gurukula.

Bengali Kirtan Groups: Traditional local and regional groups brought authentic regional flavor, including the Amghat Harinam Sankirtan Dal, Sridharas Kirtan Group, Gopal Bhai Bhai Kirtan Group, Anand Sarana Group, Sri Krsna Sampradaya, and the Gour Nitai Sampradaya.

Musical Impact & Legacy

The event served as a major cultural exchange. Devotees gained immense insight into traditional Bengali kirtan style, rhythm, and vocal technique—knowledge that was subsequently integrated into temple kirtans worldwide.

Much of this historical gathering was preserved thanks to the audio recordings made on-site in 1977 by Gopati dasa who would share them with devotees around the world. These recordings captured not only the high-energy performances under the Mayapur pandal but also provided a lasting educational resource that shaped the sound of ISKCON kirtan for generations.  Many of these tapes were lost in old collections.  In recent years, they were digitized with high-fidelity equipment and in 2026 were remastered to a quality that takes one inside the kirtan.  Every nuance, tal and sound vibration is audible.

Original Recording, Digitization and Archive by Gopati dasa (ACBSP)

Equipment: Nakamichi 550 Portable Recording Studio

Remastered in 2026 by Uttamasloka Dasa (ACBSP)

Dive deeper into the history and stories:

https://www.prasad.life/kitchen-kirtans/1977-kirtan-competition-in-mayapur