New Album Release is a post from: Aradhna

Horse & Rider Film is a post from: Aradhna

“Asato Ma” on Youtube is a post from: Aradhna

We are in shock about this news, as we are always talking about Kiran at our Aradhna concerts whenever we sing his songs. I had just spoken of Kiran at the concert for Bhutanese Nepali refugees in Jacknsonville last night.

Kiran’s gift of music and love for Yeshu has been an inspiration to many people who have been touched deeply by the song “Ishwarle.” The translated words are from the words of Yeshu, that God loves this world so much that he gave us his son, that believing in him, we do not need to fear death, but have the hope of knowing God personally, which is eternal life.

We thank God for Kiran’s life and pray for his family and friends during this time of loss.

With love,
Chris and Pete

If you have been touched by Kiran Pradhan’s Nepali song, “ISHWARLE” or “AAYO HAI AAYO” and would like to make a financial donation to his family in India, please select one of the buttons below.

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Loss of a friend. is a post from: Aradhna

The studio was little more than a closed in barn that struggled to keep out the rain. We ran an early version of Cool Edit Pro on a PC and lined up the shure SM 57s and 58s to make Deep Jale. It was a whirlwind 3 weeks of trial and error. We didn’t even have a tabla player. Thankfully a friend introduced us to Naren Bhudakar from New York and he flew down for a couple of days and saved the recording. We were completely inexperienced but full of excitement and abundant youth.

Deep Jale was supposed to be a one off; something simple and reproducible in intimate or congregational settings. We made it that way on purpose, trying to capture the worship experience that had already changed both our lives dramatically.

We called in a thousands favors (that we never earned) from friends to put up a website, make the cd booklet, cover art etc. and we printed off 1000 copies expecting them to lie around for years. But it wasn’t long before we started getting emails and calls from all over the world asking us to come perform. That was really the beginning of Aradhna.

So 11 years, 5 continents, hundreds of concerts, 5 albums, and 1 DVD later, here we are, touring and loving this music more than ever. Thanks to all of you that have joined us for the journey. Look for us in your town (or near by) this year…we will probably be there at some point.

In celebration, we are offering 50% OFF at the Aradhna online store, basically Buy 1 Get 1 FREE for the next week (thru May 7). Just use COUPON CODE: DEEPJALEBIRTHDAY. Aradhna is happy to still be making music and happier still that it just keeps getting better.

Thank you All!
Pete and Chris

Aradhna’s 11 Year Anniversary is a post from: Aradhna

Mid-West Dates Announced is a post from: Aradhna

The tune is in 8 beats but the theka begins with “rupak” tal (7 beat theka) which begins with a light unaccented harmonic “tin” note (noticeably lacking the heavy bass tone of the dugga) to support but not dominate the subtlety of the vocals and guitar.

This is then made even (8 beats) by the syncopated beauty of the end of a “peshkar” (opening slow movement of many tabla solos) This makes the heavy accented portion of the rhythm at the end and not the beginning of the cycle leading you to ” release and breathe” when the 1st beat comes around…

Notes on Namaste is a post from: Aradhna

“Aradhna … digs deep in a contemplative, meditative way.” — Paste Magazine

“Aradhna … could easily be a hit on radio stations playing independent or world music.” — The Phantom Tollbooth

On January 26th, 2011, acclaimed Indian/North American fusion band Aradhna will release their fifth album, Namaste Saté. Band members Chris Hale (sitar, vocals), Peter Hicks (acoustic and electric guitars, vocals), Jim Feist (tablas), and Travis McAfee (bass, vocals) blend traditional Indian devotional music (bhajans) with western folk and rock instrumentation. The lyrics are Christ-centered, but composed primarily in the Hindi language.

As is true of every Aradhna album, Namaste Saté is a study in contrasts, featuring eastern and western instrumentation, Hindi and English lyrics, ancient texts and modern beats, and soothing, contemplative whispers and soaring, post-rock crescendos. While Aradhna’s musical approach remains as searching and eclectic as ever, the new album features a more rock-oriented approach than 2007’s Amrit Vani. “Yapudhe” sounds like what might have happened if U2 had been raised in New Delhi instead of Dublin, and the title track employs the trademarked slow build of post-rock giants such as Sigur Ros and Mogwai. “Suralata” even mixes in a little Eagles country rock. However, longtime fans of Aradhna need not fear. The foundation of Aradhna’s music remains the music of India’s devotional past and present, and sitars and tablas are still the dominant instruments. Those who treasure Aradhna’s albums for their commitment to classical Indian music will find much to love. Those who come looking for a contemplative worship experience will find music to soothe their souls. And those who cherish soaring, post-rock crescendos may find a new band to champion. Jonsi and his Icelandic falsetto have got nothing on Chris Hale and his soulful Hindi vocals.

A companion DVD, Sau Guna, will also be released simultaneously with the album. Produced by filmmaker Ben Stamper, and filmed in and around the holy city of Varanasi (formerly Benares) and the Ganges River, Sau Guna’s six videos showcase both the music of Namaste Saté and the breathaking region that inspired the songs. Much more than a traditional music video, Sau Guna serves as a cinematic feast for the eyes, a sumptuously filmed travelog that captures the soul of an ancient city.

A U.S. tour will follow the album and DVD release.

For further information, contact: Pete Hicks or (678) 467-7758

NEW CD & DVD Press Release is a post from: Aradhna

It wasn’t difficult to choose this as the final song for the album. Apané Logo is a song of promise. You hear it in the Hindi chorus in the background throughout the song: “I will not forsake my people” (Apané logo ko kabhi nahi tya-gung-ga). God’s secret kingdom values and His promises are changeless. He calls me to look to Him for everything, “Give us this day our daily bread;” to live lives of grace, free of judgment, “Forgive our sins even as we forgive those who sin against us;” and to always recognize with humility the possibility of falling, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

When I was recording the vocal part, I recalled the blind men and women who make their living walking up and down the aisle of the Indian trains and buses, singing at the top of their lungs, usually a devotional song about God’s mercy, (and the implied mercy of the potential donors sitting in their seats). The strong Hindi vocal part that opens the song translates to what Pete sings later, “I will lead the blind down ways they have not known. I will turn the darkness into light.” I will probably never have the life of the blind on an Indian train, but, even without that experience, I sense my spiritual need more than ever these days. And I feel the things that I usually rely on slipping. From the heart I want to chant the subversive prayer, “Our Father, who is in Heaven, your Kingdom come,” and take less comfort in my securities or my citizenship in a powerful country. And I want to hear the words, “I will not forsake you,” calling back.

Apane Logo | My People is a post from: Aradhna

Some of my best friends ran around in bare feet and shorts because they didn’t own a shirt or shoes. I often ran around barefoot too. Rich or poor, as children, we all squealed with care free laughter as we ran through the fields. After the pre-monsoon heat, the evening wind would sneak up from the valley, and the dry banyan leaves would swirl around and pull us into a dance. When the rain began to fall we were driven mad with joy.

We were united in the certainly that everything was well, and would always be. I wished I could say the same about my adulthood, because I still believe it’s true that God makes all things well in the end, so why worry about what we cannot control? Jesus’ words to his followers are words to me, “the kingdom of God is within you, but unless you become like little children you cannot enter it.”

From Herana…

…The star cast it’s own light guiding astrologer kings
presenting gifts, they receive a vision of the Lord
Hearts full of joy, the rescuer is born!
Think not to the thorns in your feet
Think not to the journey
We move and breathe in Him

- Chris Hale

Herana | Look is a post from: Aradhna