Best of Vaiyasaki by Vaiyasaki Das

We ended up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where I grew up and was educated. My mother was a cultured lady so she sent her children for music lessons and ballet classes. I studied violin for 7 years until age 13, when I discovered rock 'n' roll and the blues. That's when I switched to guitar. By the time I was 14 I had already formed a band and was gigging around town. I played guitar and sang in different bands until ending up in the Vancouver scene by the end of the '60s.

In 1970 I returned to London to try and make it big in the music business. It wasn't long before I met the Krishna devotees. I was already a vegetarian and into spiritual life back in Vancouver so I felt a kinship with these Hare Krishna monks. By 1973 I had met my spiritual master, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and took up the process of bhakti yoga.

I received my spiritual name from Srila Prabhupada in 1975 and, on his request, journeyed overland to India, hitchhiking and taking public transportation whenever necessary. I had always been attracted to India, but I knew that it would change my life so I held off going while still pursuing a rock music career. But now, as a devotee, I was definitely ready to go. I loved India and traveled all over the subcontinent distributing the books of His Divine Grace.

In 1978 I arrived in Bangladesh. On a boat trip down the Meghna River I chanced upon a local kirtan band on its way to a festival. I decided to follow them and attend that festival. That night my life changed. I discovered the ancient Bengali art of raga kirtan and was moved like never before. Never before had I heard such singing! What to speak of the level of musicianship of the drummers and flute players.

I spent 3 years associating with different bands around Bangladesh and then returned to London with my own style of kirtan, a blend of ancient Bengali and modern contemporary music. By the grace of Lord Krishna, my music was appreciated everywhere and I have been traveling around the world since then performing in the major cities of the world. My childhood dream to become a famous musician was finally fulfilled, but not in the way I ever could have imagined.

Now I am married and live with my wife, Kaisori Devi, in St. Augustine, Florida. I hope that you like the CDs I have recorded. Each one is a little different as I am always trying to stay one step ahead of the listener.

- Vaiyasaki dasa Adhikari

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