L Is For Lyrics

Sing Along, But Don’t Hurry Krishna

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

These photographs look as if they could have been taken thirty years ago, back when Krishna consciousness was at its height. But they were taken a week ago, on Swanston Street in central Melbourne.

It was late evening and the light wasn’t great, but I just had to take the shots anyway. I reckon it’s been at least two decades since I’ve heard the ancient Hindu chant that is so rhythmic and so distinctive, even when it is being enunciated quietly, to no other accompaniment than the sound of finger cymbals.

The chant itself is believed to lead to a higher state of consciousness and it suddenly found new relevance in the Western world three decades ago. This was when the Hippie movement spread and when those who embraced flower power began to travel to India.

Back in the 70s and 80s you couldn’t miss them. I still lived in India at the time and it was more common to find shaven-headed Caucasians, rather than Indian devotees, wearing saffron robes and walking the streets while they chanted.

At that time, the ancient Hindu faith also found a sounding board in popular culture. It was the late Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who introduced TM, or transcendental meditation, to an international audience when The Beatles became his most illustrious pupils.

I’ve heard that they spent time with him in Wales, but it’s also well known that The Fab Four also did a well-publicised stint at the Indian town of Rishikesh, studying Hindu meditation methods. Not surprisingly, the chant can also be heard on the late George Harrison’s hit My Sweet Lord, which was from his hit album All Things Must Pass.

One thing to note is that the Hare Krishna chant is a soft chant, full of reverence. The words to the chant are very simple:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

Last week, when I first heard the chant in the background of the hum of city noise, I thought perhaps someone was playing a CD. But then I looked up ahead and saw this knot of people walking down Swanston Street, towards Flinders Street Station. They were in no hurry, so it was fairly easy to catch up with them as I got my camera ready.

This final shot is fairly interesting, because they had stopped right outside City Hall, with its beautiful bluestone exterior, which is visible only as a deep shadow on the left of the frame. Take a close look at the image and you’ll see that there are few clues in the picture to suggest that it was taken in the 21st century.

And the final word on this photo essay? Give peace a chant.

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