The Legend is Back in Mo-town!

“I visited Detroit once before… somewhere around 1980”

When Arjun Bhattacharyya started telling us that Agnideva Prabhu, the legendary Agnideva Das, was coming to Detroit, most of us didn’t believe him. In the spirit of serving a dear and surrendered disciple of Srila Prabhupada, many of us offered to assist in preparing his residence. But our hearts weren’t quite ready to accept that he would actually come; it would be too painful if it didn’t work out and with Prabhu so in demand, we had every reason to think it wouldn’t. But Krishna can make anything happen and He sure did! Agnideva Prabhu came and his depth for kīrtan and bhajan stole the hearts of Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Novi, Farmington Hills… the heart of Michigan.

Simple. ‘I’m simple’ was Prabhu’s response when we expressed concern that we may not have met the proper needs for his stay. After traveling for more than 12 hours, with a flight cancellation in between and without much packed prasadam, he landed in Detroit with full enthusiasm and willingness to give himself right away. The very same evening he led Gaura Aarti and Bhajans at ISKCON Detroit. The excitement in the air was palpable. It was a historic moment many of us had fervently anticipated as Prabhu began his chanting there in the elegant grand ballroom of Detroit’s Fisher Mansion. The same place where great kīrtaniyas like Vishnujana Maharaja, Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja, and of course Srila Prabhupada had serenaded the captivating forms of Sri Sri Radha Kunjabihari was now being lit ‘on fire’ by Agnideva Prabhu!

On the auspicious Disappearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, he led the program at The Harmony Collective in Ypsilanti. It was the perfect occasion to sing sujanarbuda radhita pada yugam, Srila Bhakti Rakshaka Sridhara Maharaja’s Vyas Puja offering to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, as well as krsna tava punya habe bhai from Srila Prabhupada’s Jaladuta Diary, which is the theme track of Prabhu’s new album, Prayer to the Lotus Feet of Lord Krishna. He carefully explained the mood and philosophy behind the songs. Afterwards, the intimate and loving atmosphere of The Harmony Collective facilitated a few of us informally sitting together, hearing personal stories from Agnideva Prabhu.

The city of Ann Arbor, home to the esteemed University of Michigan, was fortunate to welcome him twice during his weeklong Michigan visit. The student organization, Bhakti Yoga Society, hosted him for one evening. And what an evening it was! The students were fortunate to hear many chapters from Prabhu’s personal life and he also instructed them on the science of the soul and God as the person Krishna. The ending kīrtan had everyone on their feet as if they knew no bounds. Never in the 6 years since the inception of the organization had such an ecstatic outburst of singing and dancing taken place! As Agnideva Prabhu put it at the end of the evening: “In the Bhagavad Gita Krishna says, su sukhaṁ kartum avyayam – this process is joyfully performed”.

And when it rains, it pours! Who would’ve thought that the legendary Agnideva Das, whose devotional singing career was discovered some 40+ years ago on the streets of NYC, would someday grace our humble offering of spreading the love in Ann Arbor? On the contrary, it isn’t a surprise if we look at how many diamonds (Indradyumna Maharaja for one) call Ann Arbor the soil in which their seed of love was first sewn. As his bhakti-filled voice resonated off of the picturesque buildings of the University of Michigan, a magical joy danced within the hearts of all who knew him and all who didn’t. Every time he picked up the pace, the desire to jump, dance and just let it all go, exploded from everyone’s hearts!

The grand finale took place in the city of Novi where more than a hundred enthusiasts gathered. A special highlight was Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s emona durmati, which was supplemented with explanations on the song itself as well as on the importance of chanting. And the evening ended in yet another rip-roaring kīrtan.

Most who know Agnideva Prabhu know him for his kīrtans and bhajans. However, with his personal presence many of us who grew up listening to his albums were enthralled by the depth of his talks, his experiences, his realizations; we had a glimpse into what truly lies in his heart, what it is that empowers his earth shattering kīrtans and soul-stirring bhajans.

Before flying out Prabhu encouraged us: “…going out on Harinām today at the University… that was sweet… it was really nice… it’s what gives me the most pleasure, to go out on Harinām…” We eagerly await Agnideva Prabhu’s return. Thank you Srila Prabhupada, for sending us one of your dear and surrendered disciples.

Your servant

Uma devi dasi

Photography Courtesy: Arjun Bhattacharyya

1. Agnideva Prabhu in Iskcon Detroit:

https://www.facebook.com/arjun.amitava/posts/10212274011744124

2. Agnideva Prabhu at the University of Michigan hosted by Bhakti Yoga at UM:

https://www.facebook.com/arjun.amitava/posts/10212301034459675

3. Harinām with Agnideva Prabhu at University of Michigan:

https://www.facebook.com/arjun.amitava/posts/10212360346822447

4. House Program:

https://www.facebook.com/agnidevakirtan/posts/1864216643853536

5. Program at DICE – Detroit Indian Center:

https://www.facebook.com/agnidevakirtan/posts/1864261000515767