JOIN USThe Art of Living Academy of Performing Arts and Udupa Foundation present ‘Soul to Soul’, an evening of soulful sitar rendition by the musical prodigy, Niladri Kumar on June 11, 6.30 pm. Set in the tranquil International Center of The Art of Living, the concert will be a perfect blend of classical Indian and fusion music. Pandit Vijay Ghate will also enthrall the audience with his tabla performance.
‘Soul to Soul’ is the first concert in the hallmark series of benefit music performances that intend to support the ‘Gift a Smile’ initiative of the Art of Living (AOL).
Currently this initiative supports the education of 51,061 underprivileged children across 425 free schools in rural and tribal India; and aims to reach out to 60,000 children by the end of 2016.
Unlike concerts that take place in auditoriums, this event will see the coming together of music and spirituality at Vishalakshi Mantap in The Art of Living International Centre, Kanakapura Road. Prashant Rajore, international director of AOL, explains that the mantap itself is an “architectural wonder”. “It is 108 ft high, has one of the largest ‘kalashas’ in Asia (17 and a half ft) and is in a lotus shape with a 1,000 petals. The lotus signifies the coming together of the five elements — water, air, fire, earth and void. Instead of looking on the outside for energy, like most do, the mantap is a way for people to connect to their inner energy, the true source.”
Another speciality of the mantap is in its construction. While the entire weight of the building seems to be in the centre, there aren’t any pillars to support this. “We talked with many structural engineers to make this safe for people,” says Prashant.
He adds that once a person taps this energy, everything gets much easier. “Instead of letting situations affect us, we start to effect the situation.”
On the concert itself, Prashant says that it’s a good way for listeners to connect to their spiritual side through music. “Sound has always had an impact on the body and mind. Classical Indian music in particular is designed to influence the mind in a particular way and at a particular time. Each ‘raga’ has a role to play and this can recharge your energy.”
Niladri Kumar, under the guidance and numerous years of training from his father and guru Pandit Kartick Kumar has, after gaining an in depth, profound, and sound understanding of Indian classical music, revolutionised the style of sitar playing in the country. He went on to invent his own instrument, the fiery red electric sitar, which he called ‘Zitar’.
The sitar maestro will play his best and showcase his talent at the event, which will resonate many feelings and sounds. Tickets to the event are available on www.bookmyshow.com