A Balm for the Soul: Radhika Das’ Mantra Tour in Sydney

Sydney’s City Recital Hall has seen its share of extraordinary performances, but on October 1st it was transformed into something different entirely. It wasn’t just a concert. It wasn’t simply a cultural experience. It was an evening of music, mantra, and meaning that invited everyone in the room to set aside their daily stress and dive headfirst into something more profound: connection.

The Mantra That’ll Move the Soul Tour brought Radhika Das, the rising global name in kirtan, to Australia for the very first time. For many in the audience, this was their first encounter with kirtan — the ancient practice of call-and-response chanting rooted in Bhakti yoga. But even those unfamiliar with the tradition were swept into its hypnotic rhythm. With voices rising in unison, harmonies weaving around the hall, and the pulse of instruments lifting the energy higher, the evening felt less like a show and more like a shared act of devotion, joy, and release.

A Venue Transformed

City Recital Hall, usually associated with classical concerts and high-profile events, was the perfect backdrop for the night. Its acoustics carried every note of the harmonium, the rich beat of the mridanga drum, and the soaring vocals with crystalline clarity. From the first mantra, the sound expanded, filling the hall until it was impossible to distinguish between stage and audience.

Unlike traditional concerts, kirtan isn’t about passive listening. The audience is part of the performance, their voices blending with the musicians to create something entirely unique and unrepeatable. Parents, professionals, students, and spiritual seekers — everyone found themselves carried by the same current of sound. It was uplifting, almost otherworldly, and yet grounding at the same time.

Radhika Das: A New Voice in an Ancient Tradition

For more than 15 years, Radhika Das has immersed himself in Bhakti yoga, a path of devotion that uses mantra as a means of connection and expression. His global following has grown through concerts, online videos that have garnered over 45 million views, and most recently his book Mantra Meditation: The Life Changing Secret of Connection, Joy and Calm.

On stage, Radhika brings not only his musicianship but his warmth and authenticity. There is no pretence, no performance wall. Instead, he radiates a genuine joy in the practice, often pausing between songs to share short reflections about love, connection, and the beauty of being fully present. His humour and humility make him accessible, even to those stepping into kirtan for the first time. He’s not trying to impress; he’s inviting everyone along for the ride.

Supporting him on this Australian tour was Premanjali, a singer whose voice seemed to cut straight through the heart. With a contemporary edge layered over traditional devotional melody, her presence added depth and a sense of grounded femininity to the night. Together with the musicians on harmonium, drums, and other traditional instruments, they created a soundscape that was both ancient and refreshingly modern.

The Power of Harmony

What made the evening so special was the harmonies. Much of the singing was woven together in rich, layered tones, creating an atmosphere that was immersive and deeply moving. There were moments where the audience sat in stillness, soaking in the sound, and others where people were swaying, clapping, and even standing to move with the rhythm.

It was music you could feel in your chest, not just hear with your ears. At times, the energy was uplifting and energetic, with drums and handclaps propelling the tempo forward. At others, it slowed into something softer, almost meditative. The constant flow between intensity and calm mirrored life itself: peaks of joy, valleys of stillness, and an ever-present undercurrent of connection.

For parents especially, the resonance was powerful. So much of daily family life is noise, chaos, and distraction. To sit in a hall filled with music that invites you to breathe, to sing, to connect — it felt like a balm for the soul.

Connection at the Core

The recurring theme of the night was connection. Connection to self. Connection to others. Connection to something beyond. Radhika’s reflections often circled back to the importance of love — not romantic love, but the universal, unconditional love that holds communities together.

At one point, he encouraged the audience to close their eyes and simply listen to the collective voice. The effect was striking. Hundreds of strangers, each with their own lives and worries, blended into one sound. In that moment, there was no separation, no to-do lists, no anxieties. Just the harmony of shared experience.

It’s this quality that makes kirtan so magnetic. It’s not about perfect pitch or musical talent. It’s about showing up, opening your heart, and joining in. That sense of inclusivity — where everyone, regardless of background, can participate — made the evening profoundly welcoming.

A Parent’s Perspective

For parents juggling school runs, work deadlines, toddler meltdowns, and the general weight of responsibility, the night was a rare chance to exhale. While a night at the theatre or a concert can be entertaining, this was something deeper. It was nourishing.

As one mother leaving the hall remarked to her friend, “I feel like I’ve just had a massage, but for my mind.” And she was right. The evening wasn’t only about music; it was about being reminded of what matters: connection, love, joy, and the courage to be present in each moment.

More Than One Night

The event may have passed, but the impact doesn’t need to end there. Radhika Das’ work extends beyond the stage. His book offers a practical entry point into mantra meditation for those who want to bring a little of that concert energy into their daily lives. His podcast For Soul’s Sake dives into candid conversations about spirituality, parenting, wellness, and the search for meaning in modern life. For parents who left the hall inspired, or for those who missed the show but feel curious, these resources are a way to keep that sense of uplift alive.

Kirtan itself is also growing in Australia. From yoga studios to community centres, there are regular gatherings where people come together to sing, chant, and connect. Parents often find these sessions surprisingly family-friendly — kids can move and play while adults sing and soak in the atmosphere. For anyone intrigued by the Sydney concert, exploring local kirtan events could be the next step.

Why Parents Need Nights Like This

Parenthood is rewarding, but it’s also demanding. It’s easy to lose sight of your own needs amidst the constant call of family life. Events like Radhika Das’ concert remind us that self-care isn’t just about bubble baths or gym memberships. Sometimes it’s about feeding your soul.

Spending a few hours immersed in mantra, music, and community doesn’t just restore you — it shifts the way you show up at home. More patience. More joy. More ability to hold space for your children because you’ve taken a moment to hold space for yourself.

A Lasting Note

Walking out of City Recital Hall that night, the streets of Sydney felt a little different. Brighter, somehow. The energy of the concert lingered, humming softly like a mantra in the background.

For those lucky enough to be there, it was an unforgettable evening. For those who missed it, the good news is this was just the beginning. Radhika Das’ global reach continues to expand, and with such a warm reception in Australia, it’s hard to imagine this being his last visit.

In the meantime, his book, his podcast, and the growing kirtan community in Sydney offer a way to keep the spirit alive. Because at the end of the day, parenting, like music, is about harmony — finding the balance between chaos and calm, between giving and receiving, between love for your family and love for yourself.

The Mantra That’ll Move the Soul Tour lived up to its name. It moved the soul — and reminded us that sometimes, the most important thing we can do is pause, breathe, and sing together.