Jahnavi Harrison, also known by her spiritual name, Jahnavi Jivana devi dasi, is a British musician known for her mantra meditation music. She regularly appears as a presenter on BBC Radio 4's Something Understood programme and BBC Radio 2's Pause for Thought.
Biography
Jahnavi Harrison was raised in a family of Bhakti-yoga practitioners at Bhaktivedanta Manor, one of England’s most important spiritual landmarks. She is a musician who aims to channel her creative expression as a path to self-realisation and service. She is trained in both Indian and Western music, as well as dance, writing and visual arts. After graduating with a BA in Linguistics and Creative Writing, she has spent the last fifteen years presenting and teaching mantra music and meditation globally. She released her debut album, ‘Like a River to the Sea’ in July 2015, and features on the Grammy nominated ‘Bhakti Without Borders’ charity album. Jahnavi presents regularly on broadcast media including for BBC Radio 2’s ‘Pause for Thought’ and ‘Something Understood’ on BBC Radio 4. She co-founded ‘Kirtan London’, a project that aims to make mantra music accessible and relevant to a wider audience through a variety of events and retreats.
Recordings
Surrender (Krishna Keshava)
Smith and Jahnavi Harrison present a unique, first-time collaboration. Surrender is a sacred song from India that has been chanted by saints and mystics for thousands of years. The ancient lyrics in the Sanskrit language invoke divine peace, protection and grace. Jahnavi shared the release exclusively with Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2.
''Like a River to the Sea''
Jahnavi released her debut album, ‘Like a River to the Sea’ in July 2015, and has won the hearts of millions around the globe including A-list celebrities global business leaders, yoga and meditation icons and seekers of the divine.
Reviews included:
McKenna Rowe, reviewing Like a River to the Sea for LA Yoga, wrote that she was "moved and stunned by the beauty of the instruments and arrangements" of the songs. She found the album "a deeply satisfying masterpiece", not only for people who like devotional music. Reviewing the album for Pulse magazine, Sanjeevini Dutta noted that kirtan was "the sound track" to Harrison's childhood. She called it "a first album of astonishing ripeness and sweetness," one that drew the listener "to a profound inner space," yet staying in contact with "life lived full of joys, sorrow and heartbreak." Amardeep Dhillon, in Songlines magazine, called the music pleasant but unsurprising, the tracks being "soothing and uncluttered, with Harrison's violin weaving in between Celtic and Karnatic strains". In his view the album succeeds through the undoubted "depth of feeling, sincerity and love that come through".
''Bhakti Without Borders''
Jahnavi Harrison features on "Bhaja Govindam" for the charity album Bhakti Without Borders, which was nominated for a Grammy award.
