Jai Uttal and Family at Prema Brooklyn

Imagine your voice joining hundreds of others in sacred unison, each syllable a bridge between your heart and something infinite. Jai Uttal, the Grammy®-nominated pioneer who has spent nearly five decades transforming kirtan from a hidden spiritual practice into a communal art form, returns to Prema Brooklyn on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, bringing family and collaborators to guide you through an evening of call-and-response chanting. This is kirtan at its most accessible and most alive—an invitation to vocal exploration that requires no prior experience, no perfect pitch, and no musical training. What it does require is an open heart and a willingness to be moved.

Kirtan is the ancient art of devotional singing, a practice that weaves Indian classical music, jazz, and folk traditions into something that feels both timeless and urgently alive. In Jai Uttal's hands—and in this intimate Brooklyn gathering—kirtan becomes a doorway to connection: with yourself, with the people around you, and with the sacred dimension of existence that lives beneath everyday awareness. Whether you're a longtime practitioner or simply curious about the transformative power of group chanting, this evening promises to open your heart and deepen your spiritual practice.

What to Expect

Step into Prema Brooklyn and enter a space held for sacred sound. Jai Uttal will lead the room through call-and-response chanting, inviting you to explore mantras and sacred sounds in real time. The practice unfolds like a conversation between individual and divine—you listen, you respond, you find your voice in the collective chorus. The atmosphere builds gently: expect to arrive as yourself and to leave with a tangible sense of opening, uplift, and connection. No two kirtan evenings are identical; Jai Uttal's gift lies in reading the room and allowing the chants to evolve organically. You'll leave with a taste of a practice that has sustained seekers for millennia, and perhaps a desire to return.

About the Artists / Teachers

Jai Uttal is a pioneering kirtan artist and spiritual music teacher whose career spans nearly five decades. A Grammy®-nominated multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Jai Uttal has spent his life synthesizing Indian classical music, jazz, and folk traditions into transformative communal singing experiences rooted in devotion and heart-opening practice. His work has introduced kirtan to countless Western seekers and established him as one of the most respected voices in contemporary spiritual music.

Ben Leinbach, who joins Jai Uttal as a breathwork facilitator, brings embodied practice into the evening. Together, they create space for participants to access the breath of life and the power of sonic presence through integrated practice.

Venue & Logistics

Prema Brooklyn is located in Brooklyn, NY, and welcomes all levels of experience. The event takes place on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to sit or move freely. Bring an open heart; no prior kirtan experience necessary. Please arrive a few minutes early to settle into the space.