I N T E R V I E W S P E C I A L G U E S T
YOGItimes magazine for the modern yogi
Jai Uttal Comes Clean
By Lisa Maria
A moment later, the door swings open and Jai is standing there in navy blue sweatpants, a red t-shirt and bare feet, exclaiming with a wide smile, “It’s the paparazzi!” Jai’s home is simple and spacious. Musical instruments are prominent as are stacks of books and CDs. Out of every window you see lush greenery and streaming sunlight. “When I moved from Berkeley,” he shares, “I thought I was selling out. But I needed to make a change and it’s paradise here.”
I follow Jai to the living room. I accept his offer of tea and he hands me a large glassful – hot, milky and delicious. “I hope it isn’t too sweet. It’s never too sweet for me,” he laughs. It is, but I don’t say so. Jai is one of those rare people who really sparkles when he smiles and I don’t want it to stop. Onstage he’s as cozy as a fish in water, chit-chatting and joking with the band and audience. In person, he’s witty and smart, kind and sincere.
“People don’t know that I’m really a shy person.” He sips his tea, and an earnest look crosses his face, “I get terrified before performances. Part of the reason I talk with the audience is to calm myself down, to force myself to remember that these are kind, loving people who are coming to hear me, and they aren’t coming to judge me harshly like my ego judges me.”
Jai travels throughout the year, sometimes performing with his band, the Pagan Love Orchestra, but more often leading kirtan (call and response chanting) for all types of events. His wife Nubia nearly always travels with him. They often teach together, Jai leading the kirtan and Nubia leading the yoga. They’ve developed a workshop, “The Alchemy of Kirtan and Yoga,” which weaves the two practices together into an exquisite devotional experience. Though Jai loves teaching, he finds that he also needs his private time.
His voice softens, “I’m a homebody. A perfect day for me is when Nubia doesn’t have to get up early to teach yoga and we can lie in bed and snuggle. Then we have tea, play music, write a little, do some yoga, go to an AA meeting.”
A few years back, some of Jai’s friends got together and influenced him to go into treatment. “It was a semi-intervention. My life was a mess. I was filled with insecurity and self-doubt. I wouldn’t admit that I was an addict. But I was tired, so I agreed that I needed a respite. After I was in treatment for a while, I began to understand that my connection to the truth and to the light was too precious…I had to be sober. I wanted to move away from the darkness.”
During this turbulent period, Jai plunged into his music and emerged with the CD “Mondo Rama.” Filled with raw emotion and overflowing with vibrant layers of sound, “Mondo Rama” (“The World is God”) received a Grammy nomination for the Best New Age album in 2002. Jai was speechless. “I never set out to be a star. I just always knew from the time I was young that I wanted to play music. I pictured myself on top of a hill somewhere, living in a hut and playing beautiful music. People would come to listen of course but it was about the music, not me.” He glances at his watch, then pops up from the couch, explaining, “I gotta’ put the rice on for lunch so it’s ready when Nubia comes home.”
He putters about the kitchen, then settles back on the couch and begins talking about his ten-day workshop, “The Art and Practice of Kirtan.” He teaches with tabla virtuoso Daniel Paul and they delve into many subjects: how to lead kirtan, Indian rhythms, chants and more. “This workshop is for anyone who wants to deepen their devotional practice, but especially for those who want to lead kirtan or for yoga teachers who want to add kirtan to their classes.” He recently gave a weekend kirtan workshop at Sacred Movement in Los Angeles. It was packed. “I love kirtan because it’s not really a performance. I’m sharing my spiritual practice with the people who are there…we’re all sharing our hearts.”
Jai’s spiritual exploration began in his teens. He received the name “Jai” (“victory” in Sanskrit) from a yoga teacher and traveled to India. There he met his guru, Neem Karoli Baba, “Maharaji.” Jai is reverent, yet private about his relationship with Maharaji, “My connection with Maharaji is very ancient and undefinable.” After thirty years, he feels Maharaji’s love and grace in more ways than ever.
Currently Jai and his long-time music partner, Ben Leinbach, are creating and recording the music for Nubia’s pranayama CD, to be released by Sounds True in 2005. And last year The Chicago Children’s Choir commissioned Jai to write and conduct the musical score for “Sita Ram,” a play based on the Hindu epic “The Ramayana.” It was a smash hit. Recently Chicago’s Looking Glass Theatre selected “Sita Ram” for its 2005 season. Jai has also released two outstanding new CDs, “Kirtan!” and “Music for Yoga and Other Joys.” And he’s preparing for his July kirtan workshop in Marin.
I ask Jai what he is most thankful for… he taps his tea glass, reflecting, “Well, I’m amazed at all the music that’s come through me. My first CD, “Footprints,” was just a hobby…I was working on a pop demo… and I’m totally blessed to be with Nubia…I’m just filled with gratitude to feel the blessings of my guru and of the universe every day.”