Awakening joy and compassion Raga concert

Posted on by Jordan Foltz

WHAT: Spiritual director of Sufi Ruhaniat International Pir Shabda Kahn (vocals) performs a classical North Indian Raga Concert with Pandit Ramesh Misra (Sarangi). Tickets $25

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.Friday, March 20.

WHERE: Rainbow Communtiy School Auditorium, 60 State St. Asheville

WHY: Xpress asked Shabda Kahn, what is unique about Raga music and the experience that it offers listeners?

Shabda Kahn: Here is a quote from my grand teacher, Hazrat Inayat Khan, that answers the question beautifully:

“The first thing [a singer of Hindu music] does is to tune his tampura to give one chord, and while he tunes his tampura, he tunes his own soul. This has such an influence on his hearers that they can wait patiently for 15 minutes.

“Once he finds that he is in tune with his instrument, with that note, his soul, mind and body all seem to be one with the instrument. A person with a sensitive heart, listening to his song … will perceive the way the artist sings into that chord, the way he tunes his spirit to that chord. By that time, he has concentrated; by that time, he has attuned himself to all who are there. Not only has he tuned the instrument but he has felt the need of every soul in the audience, and the demands of their souls — what they want at that time. Perhaps not every musician can do this, but the best can.

“Then he synthesizes and it all comes automatically. As he begins his song, it seems that it touches every person in the audience, for it is all an answer to the demands of the souls who are sitting there. He has not made a program for the music beforehand; he does not know what he will sing next. … He becomes an instrument of the whole cosmic system, open to all inspiration that comes, at one with his audience, in tune with the chord of the tampura.”

MORE INFO: tarana.wesley@gmail.com or 683-5296

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About Jordan Foltz
Exploring the subtle and esoteric aspects of what drives and inspires people to take action— including religion, spirituality, ethics, and aesthetics.
View all posts by Jordan Foltz →

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One thought on “Awakening joy and compassion Raga concert”

  1. Clint

    The current edtiion [Feb.22-28. 2012] of Mountain Xpress, again has the very narrow view of the Occupy Asheville Movement by David Forbes. The guy never got beyond the tents. Again one more time David, Occupy Asheville is not about a few plastic tents. Start doing some genuine reporting. Clark Kent would be disappointed by your shallow journalism!

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