Straight From The Heart(land)

It’s Friday night peak travelling time and, as ever, nothing short of frantic. Anyone who hasn’t, by now, beaten a hasty retreat from Central London in search of calmer horizons via that well-trodden, crazy and clogged-up escape route we ceremoniously call the commuter belt is either stalwartly occupying the capital’s pubs, or determinedly lining its already packed pavements in a concerted effort to erase all memory of yet another gruelling week with “just a couple” of alcoholic (and hopefully antidotal) after-work drinks.

As any hard-labouring Londoner will attest, there are relatively few individuals who habitually head off to church as soon as they escape the office. However, on this balmy early summer eve, hundreds of busy metropolitans are steadily gravitating, no, not towards pricey urban watering-holes of choice, but in the direction of one of North London’s most richly decorated pulpits. These punters are not on the hunt for a routine hit of dogma (or even a quick doctrinaire fix) but on the purest of quests to achieve a natural high without artificial stimulants, toxins, or any undesirable after-effects.

Who wouldn’t want to sample some of that?  So, which place of worship are we heading to?

Rush Hour Londoners have Choices to Make

Like any long-standing hard-working house of God which, when it’s not capably functioning as a charity drop-in centre for the homeless, cleverly doubles as a live entertainment venue, Islington’s Union Chapel has more than a few fascinating first-hand stories folded neatly up its lengthy Gothic-revival style sleeve. If only they could talk, these lofty late 19^th Century walls might well divulge how they, Once Upon a Time, spotted not one, but two Liberal Prime Ministers discretely tucked among their regular Sunday gatherings. Striking red brick still contours an acoustically stunning space that has, since William Gladstone and Henry Asquith’s day, soaked up lush performances of Bach’s sacred cantatas, showcased many a singer and songwriter’s burgeoning talents, seen cutting edge comedy soar freely under its great top-lit dome, oh, and served as a film-set for a major dramatic scene in the 1982 political thriller Who Dares Wins.

That’s really quite some résumé…

Standing Tall – Union Chapel

Let’s hope the Bank branch of the Northern (Misery!) Line gets us to this church on time! Alighting at an Islington tube-station appropriately named Angel seems to, reassuringly, suggest we are on the right track to accessing some divinity.

On the Right Track

But why battle through rush hour mayhem in dogged pursuit of enlightenment today – 5^th May 2023 – of all days?  Well, you can rest assured that all this sudden fervour has nothing to do with King Charles III’s Coronation, for that doesn’t happen ‘til tomorrow….

National Fervour (but not until Tomorrow)

Tonight the most fabled and historic Highbury and Islington house of worship is due a tantalising taste of something energising, uplifting and wholly refreshing (with no need of any intoxicants). Renowned spiritual singer, musician and mantra meditation devotee Radhika das and his accomplished team of instrumentalists will be carefully decanting ambrosial chorus in the form of classically concocted kirtan (congregational call and response chanting), exclusively for the delectation of everyone convening under Union Chapel’s cupola-crowned rooftop. These thoroughly tried and tested ingredients have been lovingly remixed to produce a brand new cocktail blend of satisfying spiritual compositions!

 “I am so looking forward to this event” says Denise O’Dwyer of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, a frequent working (and social) visitor to London. “I love Union Chapel. What a wonderful place to hear the divine sounds of kirtan with Radhika das and friends.”

But hurry if you want to bag yourselves a few of the best seats in the house because hordes are queuing to get in.

Patience is a Virtue

Having made it through the grand front doors of this hallowed haven, allow yourself be (momentarily) embraced by the symmetry of its unusual hexagonal shape as well as charmed by the contours of its exquisite Bath stone features (if not utterly wowed by the finer detail of its colourful original Victorian stained-glass windows).

Fine detail

Then quickly grab a pew, as these are rapidly filling up.

Before becoming entirely engrossed in mesmerising lyrics and music (as you soon will be) take a good look around you and note how this non-sectarian style of sacred group singing, (also known as bhakti yoga), attracts quite an eclectic mix of folk.  

Radhika das’ consistent home-crowd of kirtan fans and followers forms a fluid constellation (tip: one which often crystallises at OMNOM, a plant-based Islington eatery and event space) that is made up not only of the young North London yoga set, but also pulls in (as yet) peripheral spiritual seekers to place them in perfect alignment with well-practiced kirtaneers and more advanced bhakti yogis just to see what might precipitate.

Now observe this evening’s huge congregation rapidly configuring under Union Chapel’s elaborately stellar interior roof design. It’s a full moon tonight, (which makes all experiences more intense). Let us see what manifests over the next few hours…

Cosmic Forces – Union Chapel Ceiling

Gravity always does its thing, and although patterns may shift slightly, cosmic design never falls apart. So while established stars in the bhakti firmament can slot seamlessly beside like-minded souls here in our spacious sanctuary, today’s curious newcomers could find themselves positioned comfortably enough alongside seasoned connoisseurs of sanctified song to soak it up at close-range and reap benefits that this bona fide yogic practice has to offer. Well-executed bhakti draws each and every person into its sphere to orbit on the very same plane. There are no boundaries based on creed, age, race or colour. This is an experience for all of us to savour.

Starry, Starry Night

What’s more, the excitement whipped up by such a unique occasion has not only brought many people together for first time, but also served to reunite some old friends.

“It’s good to be in touch again” says Jan Harrison, here tonight with some former travelling companions who she first met on trip to Northern India in 2018.

Radhika das extends a very warm welcome to all those assembled.

“Wow, there are a lot of you” he remarks “and you could have gone anywhere this evening, seen other people, done something else, but instead you chose to come here. I am eternally grateful”.

In the course of this magical concert, duly named Heartland, the delicate mesh of unifying sound so intricately woven by Radhika das’ inspiring ensemble deftly captures and subtly elevates the audience’s collective consciousness.

Hypnotic Refrains

As softer stanzas considerately alternate with cascading crescendos, mantra flows freely around a vast venue filled to capacity. Hypnotic refrains reach right from the back of surrounding balconies to crest as well-formed waves over front-most pews. This is a truly communal immersion in swirling Sanskrit syllables (underpinned by classic Indian and modern Western instruments) to melt and dissolve the week’s stresses away, leaving a radiant glow on people’s faces as they serenely sway to the compelling beat.

Natural Glow

Within minutes, everyone is on their feet, clapping and dancing.

The Magic of Mantra

“London is becoming an oasis of spiritual awakening” says Radhika “Kirtan is really taking off, people are connecting with the Absolute”.

Awakening London

That’s a pretty lofty thing to say on a Friday night, but it’s true. He explains how every mantra we sing is like a golden step “and it’s a step nearer to Heartland”.

A Step Nearer to Heartland

When you’re totally transfixed by timeless tune and verse, it’s fairly easy to lose track of hours and minutes. But, try as we might, none of us can fully flout that inevitable fourth dimension (not being quite that advanced in our yoga practice!). Nor can we escape the unavoidable reach of Union Chapel’s 1889 clock projecting proudly from its iconic landmark tower. As clear dusk gives way to inky night, Old Father Time finally catches up with us…. and we will have to say goodbye (for now).

Time – The Fourth Dimension

The performance finishes with an extended run of the Hare Krishna maha mantra, three simple words encased in a mystical sound vibration which, when you chant them, according to late Beatle *George Harrison “make you feel so good that you just don’t want to stop”.           

That is *real recommendation.

Maha Mantra

“Hang on, there are still twelve minutes on the clock” declares Radhika unexpectedly. “Let’s do another one.” Have we really managed to cheat time? (Just a little…) It sure looks like it. And so the team deliver an amazing encore to see us nicely on our way.

Rashmi Trivedi of Radlett, who dashed here from her workplace near Baker Street, enthuses:

“That was so energetic, and truly inspired. It’s like spiriual intoxication”.

This fabulous show was, fittingly, not-for-profit, its proceeds going to help the poor in India. The bonus (for us) lies in its take-home value, dispensed in the currency of genuine feel-good-factor.  What better way to ease yourself into the weekend.

Glad you came to church?

Bhakti from the Heart(land)

For more information on Radhika das, visit:

https://www.radhikadas.com/

Radhika das and friends will be playing at Russell Brand’s Community Festival – Friday 14 July – Monday 17 July 2023

For details please visit:

https://www.russellbrand.com/community/