Jyoshna La Trobe
Jyoshna La Trobe is an esteemed ethnomusicologist and musician whose enthusiasm for kiirtan has led her to travel worldwide. With a profound interest in the spiritual and cultural aspects of music, Jyoshna has devoted her life to investigating and sharing the transformative essence of sound.
Her journey commenced in New Zealand, where she was first exposed to the vibrant traditions of kiirtan. Throughout the years, she has partnered with numerous artists and communities, deepening her knowledge and practice. Jyoshna's efforts at The Sunrise Farm, along with her scholarly contributions, have established her as a key figure in the field, motivating many to recognize and embrace the healing power of music through Kiirtan.
Milestones in Jyoshna's Journey
I began writing devotional songs and chants when I first embarked on the spiritual path, it was my way of communicating with my beloved and I would share them with others. Kiirtan provided me with a direct link to the divine and I felt it as a mission in my life to develop this genre.
This along with my songwriting was my passion and continues to be to this day. I now see songwriting as a way of documenting my life’s journey and fighting for the rights of minorities and indigenous people.
The albums I have recorded form a musical diary of my life, including ‘Touched by the Sea’, Sounds of Silence, ‘Longing’, ‘Magnificence’, Unity Hours I, II and III, Avarta Kiirtan I,III and III, etc. In this process I have been able to collaborate with many wonderful musicians all over the world, including Amitabha (Erik) who is teaching at the Kiirtan Academy also.
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PhD Achievement
In 2010, Jyoshna La Trobe earned her PhD in Music from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, focusing on Marai Kirtan and its ecstatic performances in West Bengal, India.
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Ethnomusicology
When I decided to get ‘a job’ I chose ethnomusicology because of my interest in Prabhat Samgiit , the music of Rarh and other indigenous peoples’ music.
I completed my Master of Arts at Auckland University, my research being on the Music Culture in Rarh..
Then after an ecstatic supra aesthetic experience of kiirtan in Rarh (2000), I went on to research the ancient Kiirtan Tradition of Rarh for my PhD, being the first westerner to document this tradition.
As an ethnomusicologist I can help create bridges of understanding between people of different musical backgrounds. With the support of Janet Topp Fargion at British Library World Music Archives I have collated and housed my own audio visual collection called the Rarhi Bangla Kiirtan Collection (C1211).
In London I met Amitabha, we became friends and started playing and recording together.
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The Sunrise Farm
At present I am living at Ananda Bharatii (Sunrise Farm) in Ireland where I lead kiirtan every day, teach in the Kiirtan Academy and look after my five year old daughter Isabel. I am part of the Mount Shannon Arts Committee that runs events and a festival each year.
It is here at Ananda Bharatii that I went through my greatest struggles and my greatest joys (Isabel was born here) and in August of 2020 I was motivated to instigate the Kiirtan Academy, inspired by P.R Sarkar, who has said, “now is the time to manifest the glory of kiirtan“.
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Global Collaborations
Collaborated with international artists and communities, expanding her influence and sharing her passion for the transformative essence of Kiirtan.
Amitabha (Erik Azzopardi) and I are looking forward to sharing with you, all that which nourishes us and inspires us so that you can inspire others to do kiirtan. I also love to share my music as a singer/songwriter, and my research and experiences of the ancient Rarhi kiirtan tradition..
