Monday, October 13, 2008

A Better Sense of Peace.

By Lindsey Compton, "Indian spirituality meets musicality" - Decaturian - Decatur, IL, USA
Friday, October 10, 2008

Rupayan, a spiritual music group touring America, gave audiences in Kaeuper Hall a taste of India without even leaving Decatur’s borders.

Students were introduced to compelling music that reached deep into India’s history. Rupayan performed folk music that included an extensive display of cultural instruments.

“Sufism [a mystical tradition] began as far back as humanity existed and has been passed throughout the generations. Over time this legend and tradition has matured,” Kuldeep Kothari, member of Rupayan, said.

Sufism began during a period of Muslim ruling. During that time many people believed that Sufis tried to unify the Hindu-Muslim spirituality, when in fact Tawhid (Unity in God) was used to quicken Muslim separation in the Indian subcontinent.

From that point on, Sufism has been a large part of India’s culture. “Seekers of Tawhid should strive to dedicate themselves to the Prophet Mohammad, so much so that their entire selves, including their hearts and their spirits, were free of thoughts other than of God,” Saiyied Athar Abbas Rizvi, author of “History of Sufism in India,” said.

When asked how Sufism benefits the lives of the members from Rupayan, they replied, “We believe in Allah, and through him we are concerned about our relationship with one another. We have no desire for a materialistic life. We just have the concern of helping humanity with that unification.”

Rupayan has traveled across the world to over 200 locations in over 30 countries world-wide. The concert was one of 25 shows occurring in the United States from New York to Washington D.C.

“Students will benefit from this music because their group brings ethnic musicality to our school and makes the students’ school and makes the students’ experience here richer and more unique,” Purna Banerjee, assistant professor of English and co-advisor to the Multicultural Student Council, said.

“Students will have a more insightful artistic vision because of this concert. It‘s important to understand more than just your own artistic culture.” Banerjee went on to explain that artists of all types gather inspiration from the unfamiliar.

The concert was to help raise a better awareness of Asian Indian art and culture in today’s generation. Rupayan’s music inspired, with songs of excitement and ones of meditation to God.

After touring the world for over four years, Rupayan has hopes that their music will eventually unify the world and bring a better sense of peace.

No comments:

Monday, October 13, 2008

A Better Sense of Peace.
By Lindsey Compton, "Indian spirituality meets musicality" - Decaturian - Decatur, IL, USA
Friday, October 10, 2008

Rupayan, a spiritual music group touring America, gave audiences in Kaeuper Hall a taste of India without even leaving Decatur’s borders.

Students were introduced to compelling music that reached deep into India’s history. Rupayan performed folk music that included an extensive display of cultural instruments.

“Sufism [a mystical tradition] began as far back as humanity existed and has been passed throughout the generations. Over time this legend and tradition has matured,” Kuldeep Kothari, member of Rupayan, said.

Sufism began during a period of Muslim ruling. During that time many people believed that Sufis tried to unify the Hindu-Muslim spirituality, when in fact Tawhid (Unity in God) was used to quicken Muslim separation in the Indian subcontinent.

From that point on, Sufism has been a large part of India’s culture. “Seekers of Tawhid should strive to dedicate themselves to the Prophet Mohammad, so much so that their entire selves, including their hearts and their spirits, were free of thoughts other than of God,” Saiyied Athar Abbas Rizvi, author of “History of Sufism in India,” said.

When asked how Sufism benefits the lives of the members from Rupayan, they replied, “We believe in Allah, and through him we are concerned about our relationship with one another. We have no desire for a materialistic life. We just have the concern of helping humanity with that unification.”

Rupayan has traveled across the world to over 200 locations in over 30 countries world-wide. The concert was one of 25 shows occurring in the United States from New York to Washington D.C.

“Students will benefit from this music because their group brings ethnic musicality to our school and makes the students’ school and makes the students’ experience here richer and more unique,” Purna Banerjee, assistant professor of English and co-advisor to the Multicultural Student Council, said.

“Students will have a more insightful artistic vision because of this concert. It‘s important to understand more than just your own artistic culture.” Banerjee went on to explain that artists of all types gather inspiration from the unfamiliar.

The concert was to help raise a better awareness of Asian Indian art and culture in today’s generation. Rupayan’s music inspired, with songs of excitement and ones of meditation to God.

After touring the world for over four years, Rupayan has hopes that their music will eventually unify the world and bring a better sense of peace.

No comments: