RAWA 50th Anniversary, 7/06/08The 50th Anniversary of Renaissance Artists and Writers Association (RAWA), took place at the Ananda Kanan Retreat Center in MO, June 29th-July 5th.
We opened with a dynamic Prabhat Samgiita, speaking of the mystical qualities of Krisna. Krsnatma helped out with Spanish guitar, while Dada Pranesh and Mahesh kept the rhythm strong. Anadi and Dada Vishvarupanandaji gave a cool presentation on poetry and movement.
I was in charge of the RAWA Cultural Evening Program and put together a balanced mix of musical acts. We had some beautiful violin and fiddle music by Caetanya and Danapati. Krsnatma grooved us all with a bi-lingual, political song, asking us to get up and start a revolution; and Bhagvanti Devi sang a sweet Prabhat Samgiita.
Tuesday morning, I was on a panel of RAWA artists, giving our collective thoughts on how to be responsible artists in the world. Devashish reminded us the art of surrender - that the Supreme Source is the one moving the art through us, we are just the vehicle. He also emphasised the need to craft our art in order to present it well. Jiivadhara Devi gave a more female perspective of serving through art. She shares her poetry with those who are in need, and gives anonymously. Film maker Anadi is able to bring service projects to the media through his work at a news station. He is working on a full feature spiritual based film.
Tuesday morning, I was on a panel of RAWA artists, giving our collective thoughts on how to be responsible artists in the world. Devashish reminded us the art of surrender - that the Supreme Source is the one moving the art through us, we are just the vehicle. He also emphasised the need to craft our art in order to present it well. Jiivadhara Devi gave a more female perspective of serving through art. She shares her poetry with those who are in need, and gives anonymously. Film maker Anadi is able to bring service projects to the media through his work at a news station. He is working on a full feature spiritual based film.
Wednesday morning, Didi Ananda Vibha and I gave a workshop on Prabhat Samgiita. We talked about our personal experiences, and our guru's teachings regarding Prabhat Samgiita, and invited Dada Priyakrsnanandaji to tell stories. This, we interspersed with collective singing of songs. We heard much positive feedback and look forward to the upcoming Prabhat Samgiita Retreat in Vermont.
There were three, wonderful weddings this summer, and I was honored to bring the music to them all. At the last minute, I was asked to sing a Spanish song at Giita and Paresh's wedding (Paresh is from Mexico). I invited my good friend KrnaPriya (from Colombia) to sing along with me. The kiirtans at the end were enhanced with good friends and my little Prashanta on tabla.
I was asked to present something on the Bhajan Revival Evening, and chose to sing two Spanish songs with my sister Ishvari. We rehearsed last minute, trying on our best Mariachi voices, laughing with our compadres over mistakes in the lyrics. In spite of it all, we were able to pull it off with tact.
This retreat had the most participants from Latin America than ever before - most of them from Mexico - so I encouraged them to present something special. They did a wonderful Mayan play with multi-media, movement, and colorful, native costumes. For the finale, I led a Mayan chant with strong drummers and hand percussionists. Some told me that this was their favorite presentation of the whole retreat!
This was a sweet retreat with art presentations in all medias. There were beautiful paintings displayed throughout the campus, films on service projects and spiritual cinema, wonderfully rich workshops helping us all see the artists within. The most beautiful were the kiirans and meditations, even sweeter and more subtle than before!
There were three, wonderful weddings this summer, and I was honored to bring the music to them all. At the last minute, I was asked to sing a Spanish song at Giita and Paresh's wedding (Paresh is from Mexico). I invited my good friend KrnaPriya (from Colombia) to sing along with me. The kiirtans at the end were enhanced with good friends and my little Prashanta on tabla.
I was asked to present something on the Bhajan Revival Evening, and chose to sing two Spanish songs with my sister Ishvari. We rehearsed last minute, trying on our best Mariachi voices, laughing with our compadres over mistakes in the lyrics. In spite of it all, we were able to pull it off with tact.
This retreat had the most participants from Latin America than ever before - most of them from Mexico - so I encouraged them to present something special. They did a wonderful Mayan play with multi-media, movement, and colorful, native costumes. For the finale, I led a Mayan chant with strong drummers and hand percussionists. Some told me that this was their favorite presentation of the whole retreat!
This was a sweet retreat with art presentations in all medias. There were beautiful paintings displayed throughout the campus, films on service projects and spiritual cinema, wonderfully rich workshops helping us all see the artists within. The most beautiful were the kiirans and meditations, even sweeter and more subtle than before!
