Indian Music Concert

w/Pantula Rama

Johnson City, TN

I returned late last night from a concert in Johnson City, TN, navigating the steep and windy mountain bypass.

The concert was just magical! The concert hall – a small, state of the art auditorium at the university medical center. The organizer told a little about the history of Prabhat Samgiita, and projected the words and meaning on a huge screen. I sang a few Prabhat Samgiita with accomplished jazz musician, Steve Davidowski on the keyboards and flute. The main artist, world class Kanartic vocalist, Pantula Rama, came up to me before she took the stage, and told me how much she enjoyed my songs. She later said that one song literally brought tears to her eyes. Ah, the beauty of Prabhat Samgiita…

Pantula’s set was just beyond words. She is a child protegy who comes from a musical family. Her husband, the violinist, was also raised in a musical environment. We learn from their bio that they are Reiki masters, and that Pantula has recently won and award for Top Vocalist of All India Radio! I spent some time visiting with them before and after the concert.

Indian music is most complex, even more so South Indian, or Kanartic. Having studied a little Hindustani vocals; and working for years in Prabhat Samgiita, I was finally able to follow the artist and understand where she was going. Pantula Devi has mastered the ragas, up down, inside out and all around. I had never heard anyone sing with such precision. Her voice is so sweet, and her range is vast, taking you to the highest and lowest notes with complete ease and beauty. if you have the slightest interest in Indian music, please make the effort to see Pantula Rama in concert.

Many thanks to the organizer, Krisnaswami Guha and his family. Thanks to the friends who came out from Asheville to support this event!