Diwali Kirtan Ecstatic Dance with Rubaba

🌟 Diwali Kirtan Ecstatic Dance with Rubaba 💃🏻 Honor the Festival of Lights Through Mantra, Dance & Devotion An Immersive Celebration from Inner Light to Collective Radiance 🎟️ FIND DETAILS & JOIN THE CIRCLE: https://events.humanitix.com/diwali-kirtan-rubaba _________________ As autumn deepens and the Festival of Lights approaches, when the world can sometimes feel dim and the way forward uncertain, we gather to reconnect with the light within, awaken the heart, and remember the love that connects us all. Rooted in Bhakti Yoga—the path of love and devotion—this immersive Diwali celebration invites us into a living experience of sacred sound, embodied movement, and collective joy. Through mantra, ecstatic kirtan, and dance, we honor Diwali’s timeless invitation to move from darkness to light, from separation to connection, and from stillness into the radiant fullness of life. Tantra Collective is delighted to welcome back Rubaba for another extraordinary journey of devotional music and ecstatic expression following his unforgettable Philadelphia premiere at Holi. A beloved Interfusion Festival favorite, Rubaba weaves Indian classical traditions, global electronic music, and the yogic science of sound into a genre-defying musical experience. Blending ancient mantras with organic rhythms and contemporary electronic textures, his live soundscapes invite us beyond passive listening into an embodied encounter with vibration, presence, and the transformative power of collective song. We begin by gathering in presence, opening our hearts through mantra and devotional song. As voices rise and rhythms build, chanting gives way to movement, inviting the body to express what words cannot. Through ecstatic dance, we celebrate the freedom, vitality, and interconnectedness that emerge when we allow ourselves to be fully here. The energy then settles through Naad Yoga, the yoga of sound, inviting deeper listening, grounding, and integration in the resonance of vibration. We close with shared nourishment and time to connect, allowing the experience to settle as we nurture community and connection. Inspired by Diwali’s celebration of light, renewal, and the triumph of wisdom over ignorance, this gathering is an invitation to tend the inner flame—and let its radiance ripple outward into our relationships, our community, and the world. Whether you come to chant, dance, listen, or simply be, you are welcome in this shared space of devotion and discovery. No prior experience with kirtan, chanting, or ecstatic dance is needed. Come as you are. Bring an open heart and a willing body. Let the music move you. Let the mantra awaken you. Let your inner light shine. 🎟️ FIND DETAILS & JOIN THE CIRCLE: https://events.humanitix.com/diwali-kirtan-rubaba _________________ ✨ What to Expect Opening Circle—Arriving in the Heart The ceremony begins with intentional gathering, guided by Elana Stern, founder of Tantra Collective. Through grounding meditation and shared presence, we cross the threshold from the outer world into sacred space, turning inward to reconnect with the light within, open the heart, and set a collective intention for the evening. Ecstatic Kirtan—Song of Devotion Rubaba guides us through collective chant—a Bhakti offering that awakens the heart through sound and devotion. Through ecstatic kirtan, we invoke the Divine through sacred names and mantras, including Shiva, the Great Transformer, releasing what no longer serves and making space for renewal and light. Voices rise, intertwine, and soften into one another until individual expression becomes collective devotion—the “I” dissolving into the “We.” Ecstatic Dance—Devotion in Motion From voice, we move into the body. Guided by Rubaba’s genre-breaking live rhythms and supported by live instrumentation, a soul-awakening fusion of organic, global sound invites conscious, expressive dance. This is a space beyond words and judgment, where rhythm leads and the body remembers its freedom to move, play, and be present—a living celebration of Diwali’s light and love, expressed through movement. Sound Hypnotics—Swara Samadhi The journey resolves into the subtler layers of sound, guided by Rubaba with live accompaniment. Through Naad Yoga—the yoga of sound and vibration—we enter deep listening and resonance. Guided vocal tones explore Shruti, the microtonal textures of sound, each carrying a unique emotional and energetic signature. As breath and vibration align, sound becomes an alchemy for the soul—transforming inner tension into harmony and opening the way to effortless stillness, where sound, silence, and self merge into Anahata Naad, the unstruck sound. Closing Circle & Collective Nourishment—Integration and Connection We gently complete the ceremony in a closing circle led by Elana, honoring the shared field of devotion and presence. From this place of grounded stillness, we move into collective nourishment—sharing a lovingly prepared, Ayurvedic-inspired vegan and gluten-free kitchari dinner. This time of intentional connection supports integration, digestion, and community—allowing the resonance of the experience to settle fully into the body and heart. _________________ 💖 How to Prepare To support your experience and honor the container: Wear comfortable clothing for free movement. Dress brightly in white, yellow, orange, or gold colors to celebrate Diwali. Bring water bottle & water to stay hydrated and anything that supports your presence. Bring a cushion, backjack, or something comfy for floor seating. Bring a yoga mat or blanket to lie on the ground. A shawl or warm layer is recommended for quieter moments. A percussive instrument is encouraged for the collective pulse. Arrive fresh, clean, and free of strong scents and odors. Invite a friend to share this community connection. Tune in with an open heart and a listening body. No prior experience with kirtan, chanting, or ecstatic dance is needed. All voices, bodies, and expressions are welcome. 🎟️ FIND DETAILS & JOIN THE CIRCLE: https://events.humanitix.com/diwali-kirtan-rubaba _________________ 🎶 ABOUT RUBABA Rubaba (also known as Hemant Kapoor) is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, film producer, and audio engineer whose life’s work bridges music, spirituality, and healing. For over three decades, he has dedicated himself to exploring sound as a sacred practice—drawing from Indian and Western classical traditions, global devotional forms, and his deep study of Gurbani and Naad Yoga. His artistic identity emerged on a spiritual path that began ten years ago, when a profound connection to the ancient rubab—an instrument historically associated with the companion of Guru Nanak—inspired both his name and his purpose. The name “Rubaba,” meaning “the Baba who plays the Rubab,” reflects his commitment to honoring tradition while opening it to contemporary, heart-led expression. Rubaba’s music transcends genre: a resonant fusion of Indian classical, African, Sufi, Moroccan, Celtic, and Flamenco influences interwoven with ambient and electronic textures. His performances are designed not merely to entertain, but to catalyze transformation—inviting listeners into states of Swara Samadhi, a form he developed that uses elongated, spacious raagas and vibration to facilitate deep emotional release and inner stillness. At the heart of his work is Naad Yoga, the yogic science of sound, which Rubaba integrates into both his musical practice and his teachings. Through expansive soundscapes and sacred kirtan, he invites participants to move beyond the surface of listening into embodied presence—where silence becomes a guide and each note becomes a step toward self-realization. Rubaba’s offerings—whether live sound journeys, workshops, or devotional chants—are described by attendees as emotional cleansing, soulful awakening, and pathways home to the self. His mission is clear: to heal the world one note at a time. _________________ 🤲 YOUR HOST Elana Stern is a devoted guide in Tantra Yoga, walking the path of love and supporting individuals, couples, and groups in cultivating sacred connection, embodied presence, and lasting transformation. She was drawn to meditation as a teenager, studied Eastern Philosophy and Religion academically, trained with celebrity fitness icons in NYC, and earned Yoga Teacher certifications in both Vinyasa Yoga (Cindy Lee lineage) and Restorative Yoga. Her foundation is further enriched by training in Tibetan Buddhist, Transcendental, Vipassana, Mindfulness, and Sonic Meditation modalities, as well as Pranayama breathwork and Reiki techniques. Her journey expanded through advanced certification with Yoga Chitta—a Black-owned yoga school serving the BIPOC community-where she mentors yoga teacher trainees. After a life-altering kundalini awakening opened the portal to deeper energetic and tantric realms, she became a certified facilitator of Tao Tantra Arts (Mantak Chia and Osho lineages) and a graduate of the International School of Temple Arts (ISTA). With a vision for evolving consciousness in Philadelphia, Elana founded the Tantra Collective—producing curated offerings for embodied spiritual connection—and ONE LOVE HUB, the city's co-created community for conscious events. With decades of practice in movement, meditation, and energy healing, Elana's teaching bridges the physical and the spiritual. She invites you into a deeper relationship with your body, your breath, your heart, and each other—where love becomes the path home to your divine nature. _________________ 🎟️ FIND DETAILS & JOIN THE CIRCLE: https://events.humanitix.com/diwali-kirtan-rubaba