This is a short introduction to Kiirtan and Lalita Marmika as taught by Ananda Marga… “Baba Nam Kevalam”.
The origin of the word Kiirtan: In Sam’skrta (Sangskrit language) the root verb “kiirt” means to ‘utter something loudly in praise of someone.’ To proclaim the glories of Parama Purus’a , the Supreme Consciousness, in a loud voice is termed kiirtan.
Parvati, wife of Shiva, invented Lalita Marmika which means: ‘voice of the inner spirit’. The dance used for kiirtan is Laita Marmika. It represents the inner voice of the spiritual aspirant. The main thing in this dance is the expression through ‘mudra’ (gesture). It represents that now we are enjoying bliss, we are in a happy mood.
Lalita ma’rmika is purely a devotional dance. The elbows must be placed above the 90° position in relation to the shoulders. The upraised hands indicate the spirit of surrender.