Just about a week ago, I returned to Chennai after an incredibly enriching and inspiring trip. I went out to Bhagalpur to be a part of the wonderful @moitrashantanu’s #songsoftheriver project. For me, this project was a leap of faith. Shantanu and I had never worked together before, but a couple months prior we did a zoom call, where he explained to me the essence of his project where he’d cycle from Gomukh (source of the Ganga) to Gangasagar, making music and telling stories along the way. Even through a video call I could feel that his energy was magnetic, brimming with curiosity and love. When we finally met in person, his energy and perspective were even more powerful/inspiring. As we floated on the Ganga, we spoke about life, music, resilience of the human spirit, the universe. He spoke of the importance of meeting people without an agenda, other than being open and taking in new experiences. The beauty of uncovering and telling stories untold. The whole team he had assembled for this project moved as a family unit. everyone operated from a fundamental foundation of love, and they all embraced my dad and I with pure warmth. The four days I spent with these folks will forever be etched in my heart. The song that was created over the course of these days is a product of this unfettered energy. On our final evening together Shantanu left me with words that have been playing in my head since, “numbers don’t have faces” he said as we watched the sunset, sitting on a small boat swaying on the Ganga.
All love to @moitrashantanu, @moitrasarada, @seen_by_p, @shripad_mudhalwadkar, @windowseattraveller, @ritiksingh99, @suchisuvro, @yogidholakia, @abhrabhattacharya, @debjani441
Images captured by @seen_by_p
Just about a week ago, I returned to Chennai after an incredibly enriching and inspiring trip. I went out to Bhagalpur to be a part of the wonderful @moitrashantanu’s #songsoftheriver project. For me, this project was a leap of faith. Shantanu and I had never worked together before, but a couple months prior we did a zoom call, where he explained to me the essence of his project where he’d cycle from Gomukh (source of the Ganga) to Gangasagar, making music and telling stories along the way. Even through a video call I could feel that his energy was magnetic, brimming with curiosity and love. When we finally met in person, his energy and perspective were even more powerful/inspiring. As we floated on the Ganga, we spoke about life, music, resilience of the human spirit, the universe. He spoke of the importance of meeting people without an agenda, other than being open and taking in new experiences. The beauty of uncovering and telling stories untold. The whole team he had assembled for this project moved as a family unit. everyone operated from a fundamental foundation of love, and they all embraced my dad and I with pure warmth. The four days I spent with these folks will forever be etched in my heart. The song that was created over the course of these days is a product of this unfettered energy. On our final evening together Shantanu left me with words that have been playing in my head since, “numbers don’t have faces” he said as we watched the sunset, sitting on a small boat swaying on the Ganga.
All love to @moitrashantanu, @moitrasarada, @seen_by_p, @shripad_mudhalwadkar, @windowseattraveller, @ritiksingh99, @suchisuvro, @yogidholakia, @abhrabhattacharya, @debjani441
Images captured by @seen_by_p
Just about a week ago, I returned to Chennai after an incredibly enriching and inspiring trip. I went out to Bhagalpur to be a part of the wonderful @moitrashantanu’s #songsoftheriver project. For me, this project was a leap of faith. Shantanu and I had never worked together before, but a couple months prior we did a zoom call, where he explained to me the essence of his project where he’d cycle from Gomukh (source of the Ganga) to Gangasagar, making music and telling stories along the way. Even through a video call I could feel that his energy was magnetic, brimming with curiosity and love. When we finally met in person, his energy and perspective were even more powerful/inspiring. As we floated on the Ganga, we spoke about life, music, resilience of the human spirit, the universe. He spoke of the importance of meeting people without an agenda, other than being open and taking in new experiences. The beauty of uncovering and telling stories untold. The whole team he had assembled for this project moved as a family unit. everyone operated from a fundamental foundation of love, and they all embraced my dad and I with pure warmth. The four days I spent with these folks will forever be etched in my heart. The song that was created over the course of these days is a product of this unfettered energy. On our final evening together Shantanu left me with words that have been playing in my head since, “numbers don’t have faces” he said as we watched the sunset, sitting on a small boat swaying on the Ganga.
All love to @moitrashantanu, @moitrasarada, @seen_by_p, @shripad_mudhalwadkar, @windowseattraveller, @ritiksingh99, @suchisuvro, @yogidholakia, @abhrabhattacharya, @debjani441
Images captured by @seen_by_p
Just about a week ago, I returned to Chennai after an incredibly enriching and inspiring trip. I went out to Bhagalpur to be a part of the wonderful @moitrashantanu’s #songsoftheriver project. For me, this project was a leap of faith. Shantanu and I had never worked together before, but a couple months prior we did a zoom call, where he explained to me the essence of his project where he’d cycle from Gomukh (source of the Ganga) to Gangasagar, making music and telling stories along the way. Even through a video call I could feel that his energy was magnetic, brimming with curiosity and love. When we finally met in person, his energy and perspective were even more powerful/inspiring. As we floated on the Ganga, we spoke about life, music, resilience of the human spirit, the universe. He spoke of the importance of meeting people without an agenda, other than being open and taking in new experiences. The beauty of uncovering and telling stories untold. The whole team he had assembled for this project moved as a family unit. everyone operated from a fundamental foundation of love, and they all embraced my dad and I with pure warmth. The four days I spent with these folks will forever be etched in my heart. The song that was created over the course of these days is a product of this unfettered energy. On our final evening together Shantanu left me with words that have been playing in my head since, “numbers don’t have faces” he said as we watched the sunset, sitting on a small boat swaying on the Ganga.
All love to @moitrashantanu, @moitrasarada, @seen_by_p, @shripad_mudhalwadkar, @windowseattraveller, @ritiksingh99, @suchisuvro, @yogidholakia, @abhrabhattacharya, @debjani441
Images captured by @seen_by_p
Concert for Parthasarathy Swami Sabha this evening at 6:30pm, venue is Vidya Bharathi Kalyana Mandapam in Mylapore (Tickets at venue)
1. Clip of Ullathil Nalla Ullam from last night w/ Vidwans HN Bhaskar, J Vaidhyanathan and Dr. S Karthick
2. Some very kind words from the Mridangam legend Padma Vibhushan Umayalpuram Dr. K Sivaraman from a concert for Partha Sabha back in 2019. Humbled, blessed and excited to be performing with him again at the same Sabha tonight
All love, no hate
Clip 1 captured by Shreyas Shankar
🌊
devotion. Devoted to…what?
The question of why do I do what I do tends to jump into my head from time to time. When I’m busy, it naturally happens less. And when I’m less busy, more. Idle time sometimes leads to destructive thought. But pathways born out of silence sometimes lead to valuable seeds.
Clouds pulling away from each other visually look like a magnified version of mitochondria breaking apart.
I deal in sound. Expression through the medium of sound. Finding sonic resonance points, exploring and dancing around them, arriving at them, moving in sync with resonance points in such a way that they intensify. This is my vision for what I wish to achieve. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t. When it happens, there is no other high that can come close. It is primal in nature. Creating sound that shakes things at a molecular level. A process as elemental as any. The ego looks to take thunder and control it, to build a trajectory using it, blazing a path to personal glory.
But one cannot take responsibility for the glory that comes from sound. No one can. This glory can only go to God. the path is spiritual.
As I’m sure is true with most human beings, there’s a constant internal dialog within. Sometimes it’s a fight, other times it’s peaceful, but the dialog never ceases. Are my pursuits selfish in nature or are they indeed in service of existence. God, the infinite, Almighty, everything.
I have instances, when I’m fully wrapt in a musical experience, that confirm to me with no shred of doubt that God’s Grace flows through our universe in abundance. Most of these instances are momentary, but they are deep. They exist above our construct of time. Beyond the agency of intellect. Deep impressions carved into my subconscious, guides.
I bow to my makers, no one else. In service to all. Visions of infinite, complex vibrations towards light. ௐ
All love
🌊
devotion. Devoted to…what?
The question of why do I do what I do tends to jump into my head from time to time. When I’m busy, it naturally happens less. And when I’m less busy, more. Idle time sometimes leads to destructive thought. But pathways born out of silence sometimes lead to valuable seeds.
Clouds pulling away from each other visually look like a magnified version of mitochondria breaking apart.
I deal in sound. Expression through the medium of sound. Finding sonic resonance points, exploring and dancing around them, arriving at them, moving in sync with resonance points in such a way that they intensify. This is my vision for what I wish to achieve. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t. When it happens, there is no other high that can come close. It is primal in nature. Creating sound that shakes things at a molecular level. A process as elemental as any. The ego looks to take thunder and control it, to build a trajectory using it, blazing a path to personal glory.
But one cannot take responsibility for the glory that comes from sound. No one can. This glory can only go to God. the path is spiritual.
As I’m sure is true with most human beings, there’s a constant internal dialog within. Sometimes it’s a fight, other times it’s peaceful, but the dialog never ceases. Are my pursuits selfish in nature or are they indeed in service of existence. God, the infinite, Almighty, everything.
I have instances, when I’m fully wrapt in a musical experience, that confirm to me with no shred of doubt that God’s Grace flows through our universe in abundance. Most of these instances are momentary, but they are deep. They exist above our construct of time. Beyond the agency of intellect. Deep impressions carved into my subconscious, guides.
I bow to my makers, no one else. In service to all. Visions of infinite, complex vibrations towards light. ௐ
All love
No microphones, just vibes. The energy at the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram was unlike anything I’ve experienced. To sing in the temple Sannidhi was truly special. Big, big love to Vidwans Sri S Varadarajan, Sri Neyveli B Venkatesh and Sri N Guruprasad for joining in this experience with me. And big love to Dr.su. Aiyyappaadeekshithar for arranging for this wonderful experience at the temple.
Upcoming Carnatic concerts:
Dec. 25th- Tamil Isai Sangam at Raja Annamalai Manram, 6:30pm (tickets at venue)
Dec. 26th- Parthasarathy Swamy Sabha at Vidya Bharathi, 6:30pm (tickets at venue)
Clips 2,3,4 captured by Shreyas Shankar
All love
No microphones, just vibes. The energy at the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram was unlike anything I’ve experienced. To sing in the temple Sannidhi was truly special. Big, big love to Vidwans Sri S Varadarajan, Sri Neyveli B Venkatesh and Sri N Guruprasad for joining in this experience with me. And big love to Dr.su. Aiyyappaadeekshithar for arranging for this wonderful experience at the temple.
Upcoming Carnatic concerts:
Dec. 25th- Tamil Isai Sangam at Raja Annamalai Manram, 6:30pm (tickets at venue)
Dec. 26th- Parthasarathy Swamy Sabha at Vidya Bharathi, 6:30pm (tickets at venue)
Clips 2,3,4 captured by Shreyas Shankar
All love
No microphones, just vibes. The energy at the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram was unlike anything I’ve experienced. To sing in the temple Sannidhi was truly special. Big, big love to Vidwans Sri S Varadarajan, Sri Neyveli B Venkatesh and Sri N Guruprasad for joining in this experience with me. And big love to Dr.su. Aiyyappaadeekshithar for arranging for this wonderful experience at the temple.
Upcoming Carnatic concerts:
Dec. 25th- Tamil Isai Sangam at Raja Annamalai Manram, 6:30pm (tickets at venue)
Dec. 26th- Parthasarathy Swamy Sabha at Vidya Bharathi, 6:30pm (tickets at venue)
Clips 2,3,4 captured by Shreyas Shankar
All love
Last night felt quite surreal for many reasons. To see an audience back out in full force set such a magical tone. To perform in this Sabha/venue again after two years, with such incredible musicians felt amazing. UKS sir is a legend of the highest calibre, and the energy/intensity he brings to the stage at the age of 86 is honestly nothing short of magic. He’s played with my favourite legendary Carnatic musicians, and you can hear it all in his playing. Humbled and blessed. Clips from last night
1. A final round of Kalpana Swaram for Sri Satyanarayana (Subha Pantuvaralli)
2. A short excerpt of a truly legendary Thani by UKS mama and @ghatamkarthick anna
3. A few rounds of back and forth Kalpana swaram between myself and Nagai Sriram anna (for Arakimpave in Thodi)
4. Keeping with the second clip of my previous post (words from UKS sir in 2019), a clip of some very humbling words from him last night
Next concert is on December 30th at Narada Gana Sabha (6:30pm). I’ll be joined by Vidwans Sri Nagai Sriram, Sri Neyveli B Venkatesh and Sri Dr. S Karthick
All love, no hate
Last night felt quite surreal for many reasons. To see an audience back out in full force set such a magical tone. To perform in this Sabha/venue again after two years, with such incredible musicians felt amazing. UKS sir is a legend of the highest calibre, and the energy/intensity he brings to the stage at the age of 86 is honestly nothing short of magic. He’s played with my favourite legendary Carnatic musicians, and you can hear it all in his playing. Humbled and blessed. Clips from last night
1. A final round of Kalpana Swaram for Sri Satyanarayana (Subha Pantuvaralli)
2. A short excerpt of a truly legendary Thani by UKS mama and @ghatamkarthick anna
3. A few rounds of back and forth Kalpana swaram between myself and Nagai Sriram anna (for Arakimpave in Thodi)
4. Keeping with the second clip of my previous post (words from UKS sir in 2019), a clip of some very humbling words from him last night
Next concert is on December 30th at Narada Gana Sabha (6:30pm). I’ll be joined by Vidwans Sri Nagai Sriram, Sri Neyveli B Venkatesh and Sri Dr. S Karthick
All love, no hate
Improv set at @thesultanroom was freeing.
I was joined by @ajabaum, @velvet_negroni, @jesseandforever, and @gdfx. Captured by @arsononly
Shouts out everyone who played that night
All love, no hate
(One of the first things* on slide 3)
Improv set at @thesultanroom was freeing.
I was joined by @ajabaum, @velvet_negroni, @jesseandforever, and @gdfx. Captured by @arsononly
Shouts out everyone who played that night
All love, no hate
(One of the first things* on slide 3)
Life is funny. I believe that the source, like the universal source, is pure. And I believe we are all born out of the universal source; we come from purity. Purity not in this straight jacketed, prudish sense of the term. Purity as in being uncluttered by the need for validation, untouched by the impact of the deeply rooted insecurities of the world around us. Pain is inevitable, you’re bound to stub your toe at some points in time. But the reaction to it is so damn telling. Who do you curse when the pain shoots up from your foot and hits the brain? Love, when talked about in the abstract is pure. When experienced, it is filtered through every little, nuanced experience we’ve ever had, and it is expressed through this deeply idiosyncratic filter. It is brilliant just as a vibrant pink sunset is brilliant. Pink sunsets are a product of pollution.
I think love, expressed and experienced the way we do, allows for fleeting moments of witnessing the source.
I don’t think surrender to the Almighty is always quiet. I think surrender can be loud, intensely emotional, sometimes even chaotic. Life is funny, anything but perfect, always beautiful
Life is funny. I believe that the source, like the universal source, is pure. And I believe we are all born out of the universal source; we come from purity. Purity not in this straight jacketed, prudish sense of the term. Purity as in being uncluttered by the need for validation, untouched by the impact of the deeply rooted insecurities of the world around us. Pain is inevitable, you’re bound to stub your toe at some points in time. But the reaction to it is so damn telling. Who do you curse when the pain shoots up from your foot and hits the brain? Love, when talked about in the abstract is pure. When experienced, it is filtered through every little, nuanced experience we’ve ever had, and it is expressed through this deeply idiosyncratic filter. It is brilliant just as a vibrant pink sunset is brilliant. Pink sunsets are a product of pollution.
I think love, expressed and experienced the way we do, allows for fleeting moments of witnessing the source.
I don’t think surrender to the Almighty is always quiet. I think surrender can be loud, intensely emotional, sometimes even chaotic. Life is funny, anything but perfect, always beautiful
Life is funny. I believe that the source, like the universal source, is pure. And I believe we are all born out of the universal source; we come from purity. Purity not in this straight jacketed, prudish sense of the term. Purity as in being uncluttered by the need for validation, untouched by the impact of the deeply rooted insecurities of the world around us. Pain is inevitable, you’re bound to stub your toe at some points in time. But the reaction to it is so damn telling. Who do you curse when the pain shoots up from your foot and hits the brain? Love, when talked about in the abstract is pure. When experienced, it is filtered through every little, nuanced experience we’ve ever had, and it is expressed through this deeply idiosyncratic filter. It is brilliant just as a vibrant pink sunset is brilliant. Pink sunsets are a product of pollution.
I think love, expressed and experienced the way we do, allows for fleeting moments of witnessing the source.
I don’t think surrender to the Almighty is always quiet. I think surrender can be loud, intensely emotional, sometimes even chaotic. Life is funny, anything but perfect, always beautiful
Carnatic Concert at Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram on Dec. 21st at 6pm •
1. Worked on KaNa Vendamo with my mom this evening. A Saturday night well spent
2. Wrote some stuff
3. Free like eternal waves
4. Guru Dutt the gawd, SD Burman the gawd, Mohammed Rafi the gawd
5. Sail and clouds
Carnatic Concert at Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram on Dec. 21st at 6pm •
1. Worked on KaNa Vendamo with my mom this evening. A Saturday night well spent
2. Wrote some stuff
3. Free like eternal waves
4. Guru Dutt the gawd, SD Burman the gawd, Mohammed Rafi the gawd
5. Sail and clouds
Carnatic Concert at Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram on Dec. 21st at 6pm •
1. Worked on KaNa Vendamo with my mom this evening. A Saturday night well spent
2. Wrote some stuff
3. Free like eternal waves
4. Guru Dutt the gawd, SD Burman the gawd, Mohammed Rafi the gawd
5. Sail and clouds
Carnatic Concert at Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram on Dec. 21st at 6pm •
1. Worked on KaNa Vendamo with my mom this evening. A Saturday night well spent
2. Wrote some stuff
3. Free like eternal waves
4. Guru Dutt the gawd, SD Burman the gawd, Mohammed Rafi the gawd
5. Sail and clouds
