We approach a new paradigm in Modern Indian music as the seeds of Advaita have taken root and bear fruit. The journey has magical moments and with the inSight of world class producer, John Leckie, this record reflects the deep sound that these musicians can weave while fusing classic rock elements of guitar, bass and drums with the Indian instrumentation of sarangi and Hindustani classical style vocals.
Its not the concept that is new, but the level of skill in the execution of such notions. The variety of tracks move through different of integration and for our taste the opening track, “Rasiya” displays something special of true originality and finesse.
Although the album as a whole reveals the difficulties in bringing together the disparate elements of rock / classical / fusion to create a convincing new whole sound, there is a solid musical journey throughout the album. One or two tracks on the album seem to follow the old models of song creation but we feel Advaita will be better served shifting into the sonic hyper-dimensions of new sound that they have touched on already, particularly with the opening track “Rasiya”.
Kabir (also Kabira) (1440—1518)was a mystic poet and saint of India, whose writings have greatly influenced the Bhakti movement. The name Kabir comes from Arabic Al-Kabir which means ‘The Great’ – the 37th Name of God in the Qur’an.
Exciting news from Mumbai with the unfolding of the KABIR FESTIVAL, a 10 day extravaganza of Mystic Music, Poetry, Film and Arts running from January 14th to January 23rd. The Kabir festival follows on from The Kabir Project (www.kabirproject.org) which wa founded by Shabnam Virmani, a documentary film maker who spent 6 years travelling with folk singers who sing the mystic songs of Kabir. This festival is something of a showcase of those travels and the films, music and booksthat were produced as a result.
The Kabir project is a 6-year initiative undertaken by filmmaker Shabnam Virmani as an artist-in-residency project at Srishti. It brings together the experiences of a series of journeys exploring how this 15th century mystic weaver poet lives in diverse social, political, religious and spiritual spaces in India (and Pakistan). The core inspiration of the project is music, and Kabir comes alive in documentary films, 2 folk music videos and 10 music CDs and poetry books through the power of song.
The films (Had-Anhad: Journeys with Ram & Kabir, Koi Sunta Hai: Journeys with Kumar & Kabir, Chalo Hamara Des: Journeys with Kabir & Friends are interwoven in significant ways, but each can be viewed independently
The extraordinary line up of traditional talent will display the enormous variety of this spiritual, mystic lineage in all its gracious beauty. All programs are free to attend on a first-come first-served basis. It is a delight to know such events are taking place to introduce the Youth of India to their cultural and spiritual heritage in such a way and we wish the organisers well on their quest to uphold and maintain the connections to this tradition. This is the first Kabir festival in Mumbai and we look forward to its establishment as an annual celebration of one of the Greatest Mystic Poets India has ever known.
Please visit the excellent websites for more info about this enchanting festival:-
Tell me, O Swan, your ancient tale.
From what land do you come, O Swan? to what shore will you fly?
Where would you take your rest, O Swan, and what do you seek?
Even this morning, O Swan, awake, arise, follow me!
There is a land where no doubt nor sorrow have rule: where the terror of Death is no more.
There the woods of spring are a-bloom, and the fragrant scent ‘He is I’ is borne on the wind:
There the bee of the heart is deeply immersed, and desires no other joy.
Bharatiya Sangeet Sadan presents Swami Haridas-Tansen Sangeet
The old masters of the arts are so called for good reason. Their ability to demonstrate their skill or craft is undoubtable so in the case of musicians this leaves us with one option; to be enchanted, enthralled and enraptured as they weave their dazzling tapestries of song and musical joy. In Delhi, the 3 day program Swami Haridas-Tansen Sangeet took place at the Sri Sathya Sai international centre (Sai Auditorium). The program featured eminent Vocalists and Instrumentalists of India’s main proponent of the Indian Classical Music traditions. Artists such as Zakir Hussain, Channulal Mishra, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Ashwini Bhide Deshpande & Shujaat Hussain Khan graced the event to weave a tapestry of magical music.
Channulal Mishra
To hear the magical tones of Channulal Mishra in the performance space, was a dream come true, as it was the first time I had the chance to enjoy this legendary singer although I had already been blessed enough to take a few music lessons with him in 2008. To hear some of my favourite pieces performed live, in the magical spell of Sai Auditorium, with about 1500 other devoted attendees was such total magic. He sang a variety of well known classics from his repertoire including a Mira bhai poem and a Hanuman Bhajan. At the end everyone was crying for a the title track from the “Holi Ke Rang” album. This beautiful album was released by DEVI FOUNDATION which is a not for profit organization was set up in New Delhi in 2003. The Foundation’s leading objectives are the preservation and enhancement of the arts, and support to under privileged woman and children.
The unique level of sweetness that Channulal exhudes is beyond belief. He has a unique tone in his voice that is so mellow, so purifying and so lively all at once. Soothing and energising in unison, a true celestial ceremony of Song. Long may His musical magic continue to resound so beautifully.
Ashwini Bhide
Another legendary proponent of Indian Classical Music came to the stage the following day. Her effortless perfection created a fluidity of space that opened up sonic vistas. Time and space seemed to yield to her command as the complexities of sound were unravelled before our very ears! We were all blissed beyond belief and the cares of the world seemed to melted away as the Taans opened up like a lotus blossom, revealing the very essence of Indian Classical Music.
Programme : 17th December 2010 :
Vinay Bharat-Ram – Vocal
Aashish Khan – Sarod
(S/o Ustad Ali Akbar Khan)
Zakir Hussain Khan – Tabla
It is our pleasure to announce the release of the eponymously titled debut album from ASHIRVAD (meaning “Blessings”), on Sangita Sounds. Featuring 8 tracks of Ambient Raga, Indian Fusion, Ethnodelic dubs and Meditation trance that have been specially designed for a superior chillout experience. The album is the fruit of their 6 month recording tour and a years production work back in Sangita Studio HQ in London. With pre-release copies having been tested by Yogis, Masseurs, Psychedelic Dreamers, Wizards, World Class Audiophiles and Cosmic Dudes across the globe. we can say with certainty that this has well and truly passed the Acid Test.
After a six-month recording tour in India followed by a year production in London and a move to Glastonbury (Avalon), the production Duo of Mathura Das and Darren Sangita, aka Ashirvad have delivered a stunning album that exhibits an extra-ordinary sense of aesthetics both in their art and music.
Featuring a host of talented classical, devotional and folk musicians from India and around the Globe, Ashirvad is a new paradigm in the future of spiritual sounds.
Ashirvad have created an exotic fusion soundscape blending ambient Indian Ragas, subtle electronica and spiritual moods to guide you on a mystical journey to the transcendental realms. Ashirvad is a kaleidoscopic musical pilgrimage across the sacred heartlands of India. Ashirvad give thanks to all their family, friends and fans for all their support.
Click through to read some of the reviews of Ashirvad :-
Hazrat Inyat Khan (July 5, 1882 – February 5, 1927) was a Sufi Mystic from India who travelled to the West to share his message of Universal Love. He was a great musician who played the Vina but eventually gave up playing music in order to become the Instrument of God. His gentle spirit and truthful notions and philosophy have been a great influence on many Sangita Sounds musicians and producers. His wise words and compassionate thoughts echo through eternity his spirit of peace and harmony echo through time.
It has played an important part in the essential develpment of Sangita Sounds and our core spiritual philosophy.
The source of truth is within man; he himself is the object of his realization.
Bowl of Saki, by Hazrat Inayat Khan
Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:
In point of fact truth is simple; it is man who makes it difficult for himself. For all other aspects of knowledge he has to get from outside, but truth is something which is within man himself. It is something which is nearest to us though we imagine it to be farthest; it is something which is within, though we imagine it to be outside; it is knowledge itself we want to acquire. Thus the seeker is engaged in a continual struggle: struggle with himself, struggle with others, and struggle with life. And at the end of the journey he always finds that he has traveled because it was his destiny to travel, and he discovers that his starting-point is the same as his final goal.
There are many beliefs about Lord Shiva and his night of Maha Shivratri, one of our favourites is that this is the night of Lord Shiva’sCosmic Dance of the Ananda Tandava (Dance of Bliss). May his Grace bless you in these days and the dance of bliss extend to all fellow Brothers and Sisters of our Beautiful Planet.
The significance of the Nataraja sculpture is said to be that Siva is shown as the source of all movement within the cosmos, represented by the arch of flames. The purpose of the dance is to release men from illusion, and the place where it is said to have been performed, Chidambaram, called the centre of the universe, is in reality within the heart. The gestures of the dance represent Siva’s five activities (pañcakrtya): creation (symbolized by the drum), protection (by the “fear-not” pose of the hand), destruction (by the fire), embodiment (by the foot planted on the ground), and release (by the foot held aloft).
The eminent Indian Music and arts organisation, Darbar, have just announced their line up for this years impressive Darbar festival.
The festival encompasses North and South Indian music traditions, along with film exhibitions, free workshops and a chance to meet and discuss with some of the artists.
A veritable feast of Classical Indian Musicians will resonate their marvellous music in the city of London for the main body of the events, from 1st – 4th April 2010. No doubt the city is blessed to have such a dazzling array of stars in its midst and I heartily encourage anyone with an interest in the magic of music to attend any of these excellent performances.
With such esteemed heavyweight musicians such as as Shiv Kumar Sharma (Santoor), Anindo Chatterjee (Tabla) and the Gundecha Brothers (Dhrupad Vocal) the line up is drenched in promise. Lesser know but no less talented appearances from artists such as the Canartic vocal duo Ranjani & Gayatri are sure to captivate British audiences and leave them spellbound. The magical tones of Kaushal Das on Sitar are also sure to delight the listener and reveal nuances of music that will illuminate and enthrall. I have blogged many times about the great Indian Classical Music festivals such as Dover Lane Conference in Kolkata or Dhrupad Mela in Varanasi, but this really is the closet thing we are going to get this side of the Indian Ocean.
The line-up is listed here with more details below:-
Festival elements…
Carnatic vocal and instrumental | North Indian Hindustani vocal | Dhrupad | Western Operatic | Free Workshops | Audience with the artists | Films | Mini-concerts | Concerts throughout the day
The line-up…
Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma | Patricia Rozario | Veena Sahasrabuddhe | Rohan de Saram | Dhruba Ghosh | Bhupinder Chaggar | Hari Sivanesan | T Pirashanna | Kousic Sen | Satyajit Talwalkar | Dharambir Singh | Sunil Kant Gupta | Shahbaz Hussain | Ranjani and Gayatri | Jyotsna Srikanth | H. S. Sudhindra | Sanju Sahai | Kushal Das | Pandit Anindo Chatterjee | Ravi Shankar Upadhay | A K Palanivel | Rajhesh Vaidhya | Arun Prakash | Anirudh Athreya | Pandit Venkatesh Kumar | Soumik Datta | Neyveli Venkatesh | Gundecha Brothers
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