SURYA CHANTS OF LIGHT Nadaka & Gopika, on the new album SURYA Chants of Light, create their own unique world-fusion music by mixing traditionally sung Vedic Mantras accompanied with the sounds of a specially designed Indian guitar. What makes Surya Chants of Light unusual in today’s music marketplace is that these classic, traditional mantras are carefully sung in the original Sanskrit, following the exact pronunciation and specific intonation that has been passed down in the Indian culture for thousands of years. At the same time, the accompanying music has a contemporary ambience because it subtly combines traditional Indian Raga elements with the performance of guitar as well as a variety of instrumentation. This musical duo has toured in India, Europe and North America, and Gopika has made select previous appearances on earlier recordings by Nadaka. Their union in life and music is distinct in the way their voices merge in absolute unison in this album. “These Mantras carry deep hidden truths,” explains Gopika. “When chanted in their original form they can stimulate the higher mind, rejuvenate the body and bring a sense of infinity to the soul. Vedic mantras are pure sounds that were first heard by the Rishis in ancient times. The chants carry a powerful energy that has been passed down over millenniums as seeds of divine knowledge. These mantras remain a timeless expression of our human aspiration to transcend and experience a sense of oneness with the universe.” Nadaka adds, “Our goal is to create music that uplifts and awakens with the hope that our creation resonates with each listener. We have integrated these chants into a contemporary musical setting inspired by our search to connect these ancient sacred sounds to our lives in the present day.” Nadaka was born and raised in Quebec City, Canada, Early In his teen years he developed a keen interest in spirituality and at the age of 16 after reading Sri Aurobindo, he decided to travel to Europe and overland to India where he lived in the universal community of Auroville for 35 years. His love and passion for Indian culture led him to study its music, learn different Indian instruments. He designed and crafted a unique instrument of his own guitar specially designed to play the subtle tones of Indian music that he likes to call the “Geet-Taar” (singing strings). From the early days of Indian fusion, he was an active member of the contemporary musical scene in India, recording and performing with many renowned Indian musicians. Gopika was born in Mumbai, India, and she grew up taking lessons in Hindustani classical singing and was later drawn to the study of Sanskrit mantra chanting. She lived more than 16 years in South India and taught Mantra Chanting at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville. Her multi-dimensional persona also seeks to combine Sound, Visual Arts and Design. Currently, as a synthesis of her research in Visual forms and Vedic sound, she creates immersive art installations bringing the viewer to an inner state of quietude.” Gopika’s voice carries a refined and soulful quality that reflects her seeking spirit Together, Nadaka & Gopika seek the deeper vibration of sound in their musical expression, offering us an elevating experience of Sacred chants, Ragas and rhythms of India, music both modern and rich in tradition. www.ragamantra.com