About Katyayani
Katyayani originally trained as a professional opera singer, first at the Guildhall School of Music and then at the Royal Academy of Music. At the same time, she started working as a university teacher from the age of 21. She has since been involved in the practice and teaching of a number of the healing arts – of massage, aromatherapy, healing, nutrition, meditation, movement and also voicework – for over fifteen years. Since 2001 this has involved working in a public health capacity, specializing in HIV+ and immunity care, running weekly clinics and groups at a west London HIV+ centre. This has also included teaching for the Academy of Natural Health, of which she served as Principal Tutor and Course Director from 2006 to 2008.
For the past eight years, Katyayani has become progressively more involved in the study and application of Indian religious traditions and practices. As part of this, she now regularly spends time in a northern Indian temple and ashram setting and is currently in her sixth year of doctoral research in Hindu theology and religious practice. This is focused, in particular, on the life and teachings of twentieth century Indian Guru, Neem Karoli Baba, sometimes better known as Maharaj-ji. Katyayani was given her Indian name by Maharaj-ji’s direct successor and acknowledges this as a mark of initiation into the service principle of the ‘devi dasi’ tradition. Moreover, it has been through this particular connection that Katyayani has since discovered her deep passion for kirtan – the chanting of the Holy Name. This love has seen her chanting in India, America, Europe and the UK.
It is well known that the ‘Maharaj-ji kirtan family’ has been extremely influential in terms of bringing kirtan to the west. American chant masters Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Bhagavan Das, Shyamdas and David Newman (Durga Das) are all devotees of Neem Karoli Baba and Katyayani has sung with each, including performing with both Bhagavan Das and David Newman on their most recent visits to London. She is now in the process of recording her debut kirtan CD.
Katyayani’s greatest wish in all her professional endeavours is to provide open spaces of authentic spirit and compassion, so that people might find ways in which to re-connect with their deepest sense of self, of heart wisdom, and of joy.
