Seek the Nectar! Come sing, dance and fly with the honeybees of devotional world-music! Dive into the lotus of ecstasy. Escape the illusion, confusion, pollution, and delusion with As Kindred Spirits.
The music of As Kindred Spirits is the sound of cultures colliding.
Join this sacred world-music experience and discover the uplifting power of As Kindred Spirits. Rich ethnic rhythms and melodies, with fresh western harmonies and grooves, are crafted with the ancient tradition of kirtan or devotional Indian musical meditation, creating music that is both hip and inspired.
You will not be able to resist the urge to dance! And sing! Sing!
As Kindred Spirits features the voice and harmonium of Gaura Vani, and the rhythms and melodies of multi-instrumentalist Shyam Kishore, along with a multicultural group of talented musicians, dancers and performers.
Allow this music to place you in direct contact with the Divine through the universal language of sacred dance and music.
Some Past Performances
- Yoga Mala 2007 – Washington, DC
- Lollapalooza Alternative Music Festival – Jersey City, NJ
- National Public Radio “All Songs Considered” – Washington, DC
- WNYU Radio “Passport” with Charlie Bethel – New York, NY
- Washington National Cathedral – Washington, DC
- Burning Man Decompression – Queens Museum of Art, NY
- Ashtanga Yoga NY & Sri Ganesha Temple (Eddie Stern/Namarupa)
- Communicator’s Council – Chantilly, VA
- Washington Theological Union – Washington, DC
- National Press Club – Washington, DC
- Awareness of Oneness Festival - Washington, DC
- Vaishnava/Christian Dialogues - Potomac, MD
- Maha Diwali Mela - Chantilly, VA
- Festival Of India
- Guadalajara, Mexico
- Vancouver, Canada
- Venice Beach, CA
- New York, NY
- University of Florida
- Penn State University
Background
At the age of six Gaura Vani left the US to study sacred music in a gurukula or temple school in the timeless town of Vrindavan, India. He learned ancient prayers in Sanskrit and Bengali and to sing and play ethnic instruments like the harmonium and mrdanga. 25 years later he continues to share the magic he received and performs extensively with his kirtan ensemble, As Kindred Spirits, throughout the world from Europe and Asia, to the Americas.
The kirtan sub-culture is a lotus growing from the mud of materialism. Kirtan refers to the ancient practice of gathering for musical worship in the ancient traditions of India. It’s still very alive today. Empty rooms quickly transform into a churning mass of bodies, dancing feet, eyes flashing, hands striking two headed mrdanga drums. This is the epicenter of the kirtan subculture. Gathering together in yoga studios, temples, ashrams, homes (in the basement of your seemingly average neighbor) this vibrant spiritual and musical subculture thrives.
Gaura Vani founded As Kindred Spirits in 1998 with percussionist/multi-instrumentalist, Shyam Kishore, who studied classical Indian music directly from living masters like Zakhir Hussein. Together they have created a special style. Rooted in the Indian kirtan tradition, their diverse influences span the musical spectrum from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Jai Uttal, Jagjit Singh, and Axiom of Choice to Beck, Bjork, Peter Gabriel and DJ Cheb I Sabbah. This group brings a fresh take to sacred world-music.
Members
Gaura Vani
Singer, Harmonium
Born in Los Angeles, Gaura’s musical roots are deeply planted in both western and eastern musical styles. His many musical projects include Indian folk/devotional music, Rock, and Electronica. Gaura plays a stylish version of Qawali harmonium and is a mesmerizing singer.
Shyam Kishore
Tabla, Sarod
Shyam’s family comes from Gujarat, in India, but he was raised and educated in America. Shyam has personally trained under India’s greatest musicians including Zakir Hussein and others at the Ali Akbar Khan School of Music in California and is an expert tabla player, and a tasteful and sensitive sarod and violin player.
Vrinda Rani
Bharata-natyam Dancer
Vrinda has performed throughout the world from Poland to Southern India, receiving recognition for her grace and energy. She practices a sacred dance that was, until recently, performed only privately in the inner sanctum of temples in front of the icon or deity. Made public in the last 75 years, this dance incorporates hand gestures and rhythmic foot patterns to relay the stories and philosophy of devotion. Vrinda is the mother of two and an Electrical Engineer.
Jvala Mukhi
Backing Vocals, Tambura
Jvala recorded her first album at the age of eight with her singer/song writer mother. Now a songwriter herself, she gains great inspiration and is strongly influenced by the devotional songs of India. She has appeared in diverse choral and theatrical performances internationally. She believes that singing is the best way to convey the indescribable emotions of the soul.
Nistha Raj
Violin
Nishtha’s initial training in music began with western classical violin at the age of nine. She received a B.A. in music with honors from the University of Houston and was awarded a scholarship from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to undergo formal training in Hindustani classical violin at the Gandharva Maha Vidyalaya in New Delhi. She also had the privilege to receive guidance from Dr. N Rajam, one of the foremost Hindustani violinists. Her unique cross cultural perspective adds both depth and sincerity to her playing.
In addition, we often cooperate with local friends and musicians wherever we travel. As this music is part of our daily worship, it is very easy to collaborate and perform with a minimum amount of preparation. Therefore our lineup is very flexible to additions if the performance allows it.
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