MUSIC: A beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary songs - Coke Studio @ MTV Season 3

AN AMAZING FUSION OF MUSIC AT COKE STUDIO @ MTV SEASON 3

Music has a great effect on us, it has the power to move us to the higher state of living from the point of just 'living'. Our ancient sages has been aware of this effect of music, sound vibrations and chanting etc. so ensured that we are in touch with music in our lives through various rituals, customs and samskara. Hence most of our ancient and vedic knowledge is bound in the various forms of music, mantra chanting or plain vibrations of sound. 

In recent times, one of the great psychologist A H Maslow, said in his lovely book, "Farther Reaches of Human Nature" ...

"It happens that that music and rhythm and dancing are excellent ways of moving towards the discovering of identity. We are built in such a fashion that this kind of trigger, this kind of stimulation, tends to do all kinds of things to our autonomic nervous systems, endocrine glands, to our feelings, and to our emotions." - A H Maslow (To read more from the book, click here...) 

I recently came across some of the collaborative songs of Indian masters, singers and music composure's from Coke Studio @ MTV Season 3, which touched me deeply for the quality of fusion of various forms of music and style... so thought of bring it to my friends. I hope you will like them.

Durga Strotra and Bulleh Shah's love song

This song celebrates one of India's Greatest mythological Super Heroes -- Durga in the form Mahishasura Mardini. The traditional prayer -- Mahishasura Mardini Stotram celebrating Shakti leads to Bulleh Shah's epic love kalaam re-rendered in an intense progressive rock groove. The amalgamation of two unique & powerful voices in Aruna Sairam & Sona Mohapatra, creates a completely unique soundscape and elevates this stunning production by Ram Sampath. (Video and Text curtsy Coke Studio)

The Durga Strotra is a powerful Mantra of Goddess Durga which is so beautifully sung by one of the great religious singer that it gave me a feeling of deep trance. The Bulleh Shah's sufi songs have always amazed me for their simplicity and power of love. 

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"Kattey" by folk singer Bhanvari Devi and Rapper Hard Kaur

One of the most interesting collaborations to ever come up on Coke Studio @ MTV, is this crazy mix-up of two completely different worlds -- Bhanvari Devi's traditional, power house Rajasthani vocals, fuses with Hard Kaur's scorching rap on her personal life journey displaying her genuine rapping skills. The end product is a burst of energy, unlike anything you've heard before. Two outlaws from two different universes come together in this Ram Sampath song to celebrate freedom, rebellion & belonging ((Video and Text curtsy Coke Studio)

It was really interesting to see a totally a different style of singing of the two collaborating singers so beautifully blended by Ram Sampath, to create ecstatic celebration of music and sound. Hard Kaur and Bhanvari could not have been more different in personal level too.  In the whole song, you don't even see Bhanvari Devi's face as she sings behind traditional Gunghat, (i.e saree covering her head and full face as a veil), while on the other side, Hard Kaur is dressed casually, but the energy and earthly sensuality that they bring to the collaboration together, is heavenly.

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"Aao Balma" by A.R Rahman and Padmabhushan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan

This composition by A.R Rahman is 'legendary' in more than one way -- the composition is a masterclass in fusing the traditional power of Hindustani classical vocals, with Carnatic scales few have mastered. For this, it brings together the beautiful voice of Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, accompanied by his sons and grandson; with the guitar genius of Prasanna trading blows with Sivamani's explosive percussion. This one will literally blow you away! (Video and Text curtsy Coke Studio)

This song took me totally by surprise in more ways than one... The starting rendition by grand son of Padma Shri Ghulam Mustafa Khan then the Jugalbandi i.e. Jamming with Karnatic Guitar play by Prasanna and our own amazing Chennai drummer Shivamani versatile style of beats. The beautiful composition done by Mozart of Madras - Oscar winner A R Rahman is amazing. The joy on his face said it all.

Zariya – by AR Rahman with Nepalese Buddhist Nun Ani Choying and Jordanian Singer Farah Siraj

Giving a whole new spin to the term 'world music' -- A.R.Rahman spins his magic on an absolute scorcher, featuring Jordanian singer --Farah Siraj along with Nepalese Buddhist Nun Ani Choying. With the traditional Nepalese Buddhist hymn forming the base of the song, layered with a traditional Jordanian melody, and bridged seamlessly with composition written by A.R.Rahman, this song truly brings together diverse cultures and musical genres.

Everything from the background vocals to Sivamani's percussion takes a big leap across musical styles and creates a storm of inspired rhythms, to give this track that extra flavour. Completely based around the theme of motherhood, compassion & ultimately happiness, this is the very first track of what promises to be an unforgettable Season 3 of Coke Studio @ MTV!

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I am loving this session on Coke Studio and looking forward for more.

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Shashi

ॐ नमः शिवाय

Om Namah Shivaya

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Benjamin Zander
ON Classic Music and why you should listen to it

STILL LIFE: Festival of lights - Diwali 2011

Blessings from Rishikesh Sivananda Ashram
on Diwali 2011

Wish you all have a prosperous and happy Diwali. May Goddess Laxmi smile on you and give you health, wealth and wisdom.

I am sharing in this post some powerful spiritual energy sources in India associated with Goddess Durga and Laxmi, that has made a strong impression on me. Sharing  also some of my impressions of Diwali from past year... But before that, let me introduce my friends from abroad to this important festival of light...

What is this Festival of Light?
Deepavali or Diwali, popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-November for different reasons. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC.

Deepavali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, and Fiji.

Welcoming Goddess Laxmi with colorful Rangoli

The name "Diwali" is a contraction of "Deepavali" (Sanskrit: दीपावली Dīpāvalī), which translates into "row of lamps" Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas or dīpas) in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

Text from Wikipedia click here to read more...

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Now come and walk with me to some great places, that has left a deep spiritual impression on me and shaped my thoughts and beliefs over the years...

Durga Temple in Village

From my childhood the ancestral Durga Temple, in my country house, has been part of my growing up. (If you notice, part of this image graces the top of my blog too)

kalka Ji Temple

Growing up with four brothers, when my father moved to Delhi, Kalka Ji Temple has been our daily 'morning walk' destination. As our school was near the temple, Kalka Ji has been our destination for various ups and downs in our life, either to pray or to ask for something and Kalka Mai has always provided us with a path if not the answer. Kalka Ji has been source of inspiration for all of us for decades....

Vaishno Devi

Vaishno Devi in Jammu (Northern state of India) is one of the most powerful temple of Durga Ji, which I came to visit in my college days... My first trip to Vaishnav Devi in 1982, has been a mile stone in my belief system. The trek to the temple is amazing and needs to be experienced...
During my professional life, I came across many other powerful temples Laxmi and Durga... some of them are here...

Chottanikara Bhagwati Temple in Kerala

Meenakshi Temple - Madurai

Dakhshineshwar Temple - Kolkata

The Dakshineshwar Temple in Kolkata has been an important source of change in thinking within me spiritually as well as mentally. This temple is the place from where Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the priest of Dakshineshwar Temple at that time, spread indian spirituality and religious belief throughout the world by his very learned and knowledgeable disciples ... like Swami Vivekanada, Paramahansa Yogananda (Writer of 'Autobiography of Yogi' which I recommend to every one as the first step to knowing Indian Spiritual and Religious philosophy)  ... If you like you can read more about this temple and actually have a virtual tour to this beautiful source of spiritual energy... check my post here...

Now below are some of the holy places in India that has attracted me in my life and I keep visiting them almost every year...

Diwali and Aarti at Varanasi on the banks of Ganges

Durga Ji on the banks of River Ganges at Haridwar

Kali Ji on the bank of river Ganges - Rishikesh

As this journey comes to an end, I leave you with some impression of Diwali celebrations from last year...

Gang of Four - Ready to have a blast on Diwali...
Diwali @ 2010

And the blast...
Diwali @ 2010

Finally I leave you with lamp of lights from the temple in Rishikesh at the foothills of Himalaya... which is known as Dev Bhoomi (Land of Gods) and some, including me consider it as spiritual capital of the world..

Festival of Lights - Rishikesh @ 2010

May Goddess Laxmi bless you with health, Wealth and Wisdom this year on the occasion of Festival of Lights - Diwali @ 2011


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ॐ नमः शिवाय 

Om Namah Shivaya

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Tata IndiBlogger Meet

STILL LIFE : Durga Puja festivity @ 2011

You are welcome to join in the festivity of this year's Durga Puja festival. May Goddess Durga give you success in your endeavors, peace in heart and love all around in the years to come.... 


Durga Puja is about the worship of Goddess Durga, who is takes her fierce form to kill the demons. Durga Puja is widely celebrated in the India. Not only is it the biggest Hindu festival celebrated throughout the State of West Bengal, but it is also the most significant socio-cultural event in Bengali society. Durga Puja is also celebrated as a major festival in Nepal and in Bangladesh. Nowadays, many diasporas Bengali cultural organizations arrange for Durgotsab in many countries In 2006, a grand Durga Puja ceremony was held in the Great Court of the British Museum.

Dakshineshwar Temple

Hope you feel the energy vibrations of Goddess Kali of Dakshineshwar, one of the most powerful temple of Goddess Durga Ji, in India as well as find the pleasure from my impressions from this year’s celebrations of Navratri / Durga Puja celebrations organised by Dakshini Society at Chennai...

Dakshineshwar Temple is also the place of Sh. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who was the guru of Sh. Paramahamsa Yogananda (Author of the book “Autobiography Of Yogi” that brought Indian spirituality to the west) as well as of Swami Vivekananda. To know about the temple and have a detailed tour of Dakshineshwar Temple, with me, please click here...

So here it goes, the powerful temple and my impressions from Durga Puja Celebrations @ 2011

Durga Ji at Dakshini Society Puja @ 2011

Dakshineshwar Temple is situated on the banks of Holy River
Ganges and I have spent hours here, having cup of tea and
watching the soft flow of the river... after the visit to the temple

The main temple of Dakshineshwar where Kali ma
is worshiped.. a beautiful temple Architecture

Durga Ji killing the demon Mahisasur
Dakshini @ Chennai

Aarti of Durga Ji by devotees...

Waiting on the wings to perform... The tension writ large on face...

Tension takes a walk, the moment she walks on the stage..

One by one... many beautiful performances ...
Celebrating the victory of Goddess Durga over evil

Capturing essence of Durga's blessings...

A colorful panorama of devotion, passion and creativity...

Hope you have enjoyed this journey and my impressions... Wish you all blessings of Goddess Durga..

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जय दुर्गा जी, जय काली माँ

Jai Durga Ji, Jai Kali Ma

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Vienna