Special Event and Workshops
Public Lecture and Bhajan Recital and Dinner Gandhi: A Man of Action and Prayer
Date: July 21, 2007Time: 5:30pm to 9:30pm
Location: Cal Poly Pomona, Bronco Student Center (BSC), Ursa Major Room
Public Lecture: "Gandhi: A Man of Action and Prayer" by Professor Anthony J. Parel
Gandhi was a great man of action. He was also a great man of prayer. In fact, there was a deep connection between his actions and his prayers. “Prayer is to the soul,” said Gandhi, “what food is to the body: it nourishes and sustains us.” Professor Parel makes a convincing case that Gandhi’s boundless energy was in no small measure due to his prayer and meditative life-style. He will examine the role of music, poetry, discourse and scriptures in Gandhi’s prayer life. He suggests that here, as in other matters, Gandhi’s life has exemplary value for modern living.
Bhajan Recital by Sarika Ravindran and Prasad Upasani accompanied by Abhiman Kaushal on Tabla and Hiren Majmudar on Harmonium.
This highly talented group of artists will present a selection of bhajans from Asharam Bhajanavali, a collection of devotional songs that formed part of the morning and evening prayers at Gandhi’s ashrams.
Anthony J. Parel
Anthony J. Parel, , a political philosopher, is among the world’s leading scholars on Gandhi. For nearly four decades he was professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary, Canada. Born in Kerala, India, and educated there and the U.S., he received his Ph. D. from Harvard University. His major books include Gandhi's Philosophy and the Quest for Harmony, (Cambridge University Press, 2006); Gandhi, Freedom and Self-Rule, ed., (Lexington Books, 2000); Gandhi: Hind Swaraj and Other Writings," ed., (Cambridge University Press, 1997); The Machiavellian Cosmos, (Yale University Press, 1992); and Comparative Political Philosophy, ed. with R. C. Keith, (2 nd edition, Lexington Books, 2003).
Abhiman Kaushal
Abhiman Kaushal, is an outstanding tabla artist representing the Farukkabad and Lucknow styles of tabla. Abhiman has recorded a soundtrack for National Geographc's Man Eaters of North India, for Zoolander movie and has performed for MTV's Aerosmith icon show in front of a live audience. Recently he was the solo featured musician for the acclaimed electronic dance drama Ramayana 2k3 which won rave reviews in Los Angeles and New York City.
Hiren Majmudar
Hiren Majmudar has accompanied on harmonium Pandit Jasraj, Tulika Ghosh, Sandhya Kathavate and other well known artists from India. For over ten years he has been performing Geet /Ghazal/ Bhajan concert in Southern California. He has also recorded three Sai bhajans albums in India. He started his music training about 17 years ago with Gopal Marathe and later with Mala Ganguli. He currently trains under Lalita Sharma—a senior disciple of Pt. Jasraj.
Sarika Ravindran
Sarika Ravindran is a keen student of Hindustani classical vocal music. She currently trains under the eminent classical vocalist, Smt. Lakshmi Shankar. Earlier, while in Mumbai, she studied under the classical vocalist Smt. Sandhya Kathavate. Sarika has had several light classical performances, including Ghazal concerts to her credit in India and the United States. She holds a Master's degree in Media Communications from the University of Southern California. Her other interests include writing.
Prasad Upasani
Prasad Upasani is a student of Pt. S.C.R. Bhat and Pt. K.G.Ginde of the Agra gharaana and traces his music lineage back to Pt. Bhatkhande. He has acquired mastery over sur and laya as is exhibited in his alaps, upajs and taans with intricate laykari, maintaining the beauty and delicate nuances of ragas. He has performed at many locations in India and the US. He holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern California.