This week on the Yogalebrity Podcast, I’m sharing a conversation that now holds even more weight and meaning—a conversation with the late, beloved kirtan artist David Newman, also known by his spiritual name, Durga Das.
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​David passed recently, and his absence is deeply felt throughout the yoga and devotional music communities. His presence, however, lives on vibrantly in the hearts he touched, the songs he shared, and the love he so freely gave.

In this powerful episode, David and I spoke about everything from the early days of yoga in the U.S. to bhakti as a living, breathing path. It’s a wide-ranging and soulful interview, filled with gems of wisdom and heart.

​But before you listen, I want to invite you into the deeper essence of who David Newman was—and still is through his legacy.

David Newman was a prolific and immensely talented bhakti artist whose music transcended boundaries and touched the deepest realms of the soul.

Through his enchanting voice, profound lyrics, and mesmerizing performances, David became a beacon of devotional expression—an artist who didn't just sing about love and divinity, but lived it.

At the core of his work was bhakti yoga, the path of love and devotion.

Whether chanting ancient mantras or blending Indian ragas with folk, rock, and blues, David created a tapestry of sound that felt deeply spiritual and completely accessible.

His music had a way of disarming the intellect and going straight to the heart. It invited people—seasoned practitioners and total newcomers alike—into a space of inner connection, peace, and upliftment.

​And that was David’s gift: to make the sacred feel close, inviting, and human.

David’s compositions were far more than entertainment—they were vehicles for awakening. With every track, he invited us to slow down, soften, and return to love.

One of my personal favorites is “Love Belongs to Everyone”, which I talk about in the episode.

We also discuss the song “Travel Well”, written in response to the Columbine tragedy—a prayer for souls transitioning from this world.

His songwriting spanned both the cosmic and the tender moments of life, always rooted in compassion and the sacred.

David was also a teacher, speaker, and mentor, guiding people into the heart of devotion not just through music, but through lived wisdom.

Whether he was leading a retreat, giving a talk, or working one-on-one, David had a way of making people feel safe, seen, and empowered.

During our talk, he shared about his studies with Desikachar and Gary Kraftsow, his early years running one of Philadelphia’s first yoga studios, and how Bhakti slowly, organically, wove itself into his life’s work.

​He also spoke openly about conscious relationships, money as energy, and how we can live in flow rather than fear.

His words—like his music—reminded us to loosen our grip on how things “should” be and instead trust the natural unfolding of life.

In one of the most touching moments of the episode, David said:

“Be present. Be kind. That’s it. That’s the multivitamin.”

It’s simple. And it’s everything.

If there’s one way we can honor David, it’s to carry that wisdom forward—to live with open hearts, to create from a place of joy and service, and to stay grounded in kindness.

In honor of David’s memory, a GoFundMe has been created to support his child.

It will remain open until April 20th, and any support is deeply appreciated. The link is available in the show notes and on all our platforms.

​https://www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with-mira-and-tulsi-through-their-loss

"Love is the Strongest Medicine" -Neem Karoli Baba

🎧 Listen to the full episode here:
➡️ Listen on Spotify

📱 Follow for updates and music:
Instagram: @davidnewmanmusic
Website: www.davidnewmanmusic.com