Spiritual Symphony - A Devotional Concert
‘Spiritual Symphony’ is a devotional concert, curated to depict the journey of the evolution of music in India. With Lead Singer, Ms. Manesha A Agarwal, the concert is an ensemble of an auspicious 108 performers, priests and crew live on stage. Performances by musical luminaries – Padma Bhushan Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt ji, Padma Shri Anup Jalota ji, Padma Shri Anwar Khan ji are interwoven in the concert.
The premiere of ‘Spiritual Symphony’ was showcased under ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and Sangeet Natak Akademi’s ‘Jyotirgamaya’. It was performed on 21 June, 2022 on World Music Day at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Hon’ble Union Minister for Culture & Tourism Shri G. Kishan Reddy ji.
The concert has been curated with in-depth research into the origin of music in Samved through the most primitive nature sounds and its culmination into Indian Classical Music and Folk Music. Envisaged by Ms. Manesha A Agarwal, ‘Spiritual Symphony’ has been curated by musicologist, Ms. Gauri Yadwadkar. The concert is composed and conducted by Mr. Ravi Pawar.
The concert is a confluence of 5 segments of the evolution of spiritual music of India – the journey from Omkaar to Om covers the 4 stages of human consciousness – the waking stage, dreaming stage, then the dreamless depths and finally Samadhi; Saman singing (Samved to Classical music) merging into Bhakti Parampara which further travels to the exploration of Sufism, music of the sufi fakirs, dervishes all merging into Oneness, singing prayers of all faiths, conclude with a patriotic rendition. The journey of the evolution of music has been depicted in the concert with renditions – Saam ved, Gayatri Mantra, Kesariya Baalam, Taan, Aaj Biraj Mein Holi, Mann Kunto, Sarve Bhavantu, Buddham Sharanam, Lead Kindly Light, Ik Onkar and conclude with prayer for Mother India, Maa Bharti. A plethora of musical diversity has been integrated into this grand concert – strings section, chorus choir and instruments of the like of violin, cello, guitar, sitar, flute, drums, santoor, algoza, ravanahatha, khartal, electric violin, octopad, tabla among others.
Woven with chants, mantras, hymns and spiritual songs, the concert evokes inner awakening and instills the power of prayers. It aims at spreading the message of National Unity and World Peace.