Govinda (Kula Shaker song)
Encyclopedia
"Govinda" is a song by British band Kula Shaker
, released in 1996, led by Crispian Mills
, the son of actress Hayley Mills
. The song is notable for its heavy Indian
influences such as the Tambura
and is unique in being the only British Top Ten hit to be sung entirely in Sanskrit
.
The text is taken from a Sanskrit devotional song to Krishna
(Govinda) previously recorded by singers from Radha Krsna Temple
in a 1970 album produced by George Harrison
.
A music video was made for the song, which was directed by Michael Geoghegan.
In one of his interviews Crispian Mills
mentioned that the song was born out of an improvisation, based on an Hindu
prayer to Krishna
.
The song has brought together the oriental musical and spiritual culture with the modern western culture.
The song appeared originally on the album K, with an alternate version called "Govinda '97, Hari & ST. George" appearing on the Summer Sun EP
.
Kula Shaker
Kula Shaker are an English psychedelic rock band. Led by outspoken frontman Crispian Mills, the band came to prominence during the Post-Britpop era of the late 1990s. The band enjoyed great commercial success in the UK between 1996 and 1999, notching up a number of Top 10 hits on the UK Singles...
, released in 1996, led by Crispian Mills
Crispian Mills
Crispian Mills is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is the son of actress Hayley Mills and director Roy Boulting, the grandson of John Mills and Mary Hayley Bell , nephew of Juliet Mills and Jonathan Mills, and half-brother to Jason "Ace" Lawson...
, the son of actress Hayley Mills
Hayley Mills
Hayley Mills is an English actress. The daughter of John Mills and Mary Hayley Bell, and sister of actress Juliet Mills, Mills began her acting career as a child and was hailed as a promising newcomer, winning the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer for Tiger Bay , the Academy Juvenile Award...
. The song is notable for its heavy Indian
Music of India
The music of India includes multiple varieties of folk, popular, pop, classical music and R&B. India's classical music tradition, including Carnatic and Hindustani music, has a history spanning millennia and developed over several eras. It remains fundamental to the lives of Indians today as...
influences such as the Tambura
Tambura
The tambura, tanpura, or tambora is a long-necked plucked lute . The body shape of the tambura somewhat resembles that of the sitar, but it has no frets – only the open strings are played to accompany other musicians...
and is unique in being the only British Top Ten hit to be sung entirely in Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
.
The text is taken from a Sanskrit devotional song to Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
(Govinda) previously recorded by singers from Radha Krsna Temple
Radha Krsna Temple
The Radha Krishna Temple was the headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in London from the late 1960s. The temple came to prominence when The Beatles and especially George Harrison started to publicly express their interest in Eastern philosophy and Krishna consciousness...
in a 1970 album produced by George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
.
A music video was made for the song, which was directed by Michael Geoghegan.
In one of his interviews Crispian Mills
Crispian Mills
Crispian Mills is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is the son of actress Hayley Mills and director Roy Boulting, the grandson of John Mills and Mary Hayley Bell , nephew of Juliet Mills and Jonathan Mills, and half-brother to Jason "Ace" Lawson...
mentioned that the song was born out of an improvisation, based on an Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
prayer to Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
.
The song has brought together the oriental musical and spiritual culture with the modern western culture.
The song appeared originally on the album K, with an alternate version called "Govinda '97, Hari & ST. George" appearing on the Summer Sun EP
Summer Sun EP
Summer Sun E.P. is an EP by Kula Shaker. All the tracks on the EP had previously appeared as B-sides to the band's UK singles.-Track listing:# "Govinda '97, Hari & St. George"# "Gokula"# "Dance in Your Shadow"# "Raagy One "...
.