By The Krishna Leela Center
The Krishna Leela Center
Event: East West Fusion Kirtan Concert
Date of Event: April 4, 2009, 6 – 8:30p.m.
Sponsors: The Krishna Leela Center (www.KrishnaLeela.org) and the Plainsboro Public Library
For further information:
Abhi Kanitkar, The Krishna Leela Center, 609-716-9262
Amit Padgaokar, Kirtan Organizer, 732-397-2372
Ishwari (Lynn Keller) – Singer/Artist – 201-655-4678
Tracey Henry, PR, 212-226-3175, [email protected]
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The Krishna Leela Center (www.KrishnaLeela.org) and the Plainsboro Public Library welcome all to rejoice in a special East-West Fusion Kirtan concert on April 4th from 6-8:30pm at Chinmaya Vrindavan, 95 Cranbury Neck Road, Cranbury, New Jersey. For more information, please call Abhi Kanitkar at 609-716-9262, Amit Padgaonkar at 732-397-2372 or visit www.KrishnaLeela.org.
This pulsating East-meets-West sound is sure to delight as kirtan music is at the forefront of the world beat movement. Modern American kirtan artists Sruti Ram & Ishwari effortlessly fuse guitar sounds with tabla and harmonium. They exploded out of Woodstock last fall with their CD, “Fire of Devotion” and an appearance at Omega Institute’s Ecstatic Chant weekend. For the special performance here on 4/4th, the renowned Naren Budhakar will also join the duo on tabla.
Kirtan means devotional chanting in Sanskrit and is one of the enchanting paths to enlightenment. As the mind is very difficult to focus in meditation, Kirtan naturally achieves the state as the listener gets enraptured in the music and mantras. Surrendering the “I”-ness of one’s ego by singing about the qualities of the Divine is the aim of bhakti yoga kirtan. These prayers kindle a joyful mood and lead to profound states of inner bliss. They strike an inner chord of harmony and relieve stress.
Sruti Ram, trained in Gregorian chant, engages Ishwari’s darker colors with lighter tones, but their male and female roles are intertwined and often reversed. “It’s the dance we do together; that merging is very representative of Indian spirituality,” says Ishwari. Sruti Ram continues, “Our harmonies evoke a feeling of bliss. We sing as one voice.”
Sruti Ram & Ishwari sing passionate heart opening kirtan with a spirit that is pulsating & contagious. They have created a sound that delivers a profound experience for the listener. They capture the ancient spirit of kirtan in a decidedly modern way.
As vocalists, Sruti Ram and Ishwari interweave their commanding voices and soaring harmonies through Indian ragas – creating a haunting and hypnotic effect. Sruti Ram plays the harmonium and kartals of traditional Indian kirtan while Ishwari’s acoustic guitar creates a foundation for their music. Together with backup musicians who play instruments such as the tabla, djembe, cello and bansuri flute, they create music which carries the listener on a journey that touches the heart in the ancient tradition of bhakti (devotional) yoga.
Sruti Ram & Ishwari have both spent years playing music as diverse as rock and roll and electronica. Each then turned to kirtan, after spiritual awakenings that led them to meet and perform together. Their CD, “Fire of Devotion,” is available through iTunes.com and Amazon.com while www.ishwarimusic.com has artist information.
The suggested donation for the concert is $10. Chinmaya Vrindavan is located at 95 Cranbury Neck Road, Cranbury, New Jersey. For more information, please call Abhi Kanitkar at 609-716-9262, Amit Padgaonkar at 732-397-2372 or visit www.KrishnaLeela.org.
The Spiritual Masters of India encourage satsang, or seeking the company of good people, Gurus and devotees. In this time of turmoil, group chanting is vital for world upliftment as it has multiplicative power. The Krishna Leela Center, www.KrishnaLeela.org, has ongoing, free kirtans every Saturday from 5:00-5:45pm at 13 Briardale Court, Plainsboro, NJ. Please call 609-716-9262 for more information, or just come!

