Kirtana, also known as Kirtan or Keertan, is a Sanskrit term signifying "narrating, reciting, telling, describing" of an idea or story within the context of Indian religions. It is closely associated with a genre of religious performance arts that entails a musical form of narration or shared recitation, particularly centered around spiritual or religious concepts, native to the Indian subcontinent. An individual engaged in performing kirtan is referred to as a kirtankara (or kirtankar).

Originating from the Vedic anukirtana tradition, kirtan takes the form of a call-and-response or antiphonal style song or chant, set to music. In this practice, multiple singers recite the names of deities, recount legends, express devoted love to a deity, or delve into spiritual ideas. The performance often involves elements like dancing or the direct expression of bhavas (emotive states) by the singer. Kirtan events are structured to actively engage the audience, encouraging them to either repeat the chant or respond to the singer's call.

Accompanied by regionally popular musical instruments, including the Indian harmonium, veena, sitar, ektara (strings), tabla (one-sided drums), mrdanga or pakhawaj (two-sided drum), flute (woodwinds), and karatalas or talas (cymbals), kirtan holds a significant place in Hinduism, Vaisnava devotionalism, Sikhism, the Sant traditions, some forms of Buddhism, and various other religious groups. It may also incorporate storytelling and acting, with texts typically covering religious, mythological, or social subjects.

Etymologically, the term "kirtana" is derived from the Sanskrit root "kirt," meaning "to mention, make mention of, tell, name, call, recite, repeat, relate, declare, communicate, commemorate, celebrate, praise, glorify." It finds mention in the Samhitas, Brahmanas, Vedanga, and Sutras literature, indicating its presence in Vedic contexts.

Kirtan exhibits regional diversity and is known by various names, such as Abhang, Samaj Gayan, Haveli Sangeet, Vishnupad, and Harikatha. In Hinduism, it is particularly influenced by the devotional Bhakti movements and Sant tradition, emphasizing emotional, loving relationships with a personal God. Various styles of kirtan, such as Northern Vaishnava kirtan, Carnatic traditions, and Marathi kirtan, have evolved, each with its unique characteristics and influences.

Sikhism incorporates kirtan as a central aspect of devotional singing, referred to as Shabad kirtan. In the Western world, the practice of kirtan gained prominence through the influence of Indian religious movements and has been embraced by diverse communities, including those following spiritual but not religious paths. Prominent Western kirtan performers include Krishna Das, Bhagavan Das, Nina Rao, Jai Uttal, Snatam Kaur, Deva Premal, and others, contributing to the global popularity of this devotional musical tradition.