Mumbai: “Chant4change”, a musical extravaganza organised in Washington, USA, on 8 October, by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) to spread the message of peace and humanity, got off to a colourful start with Indian and global artists performing at the show.
The event, one of the global offerings of the 50th annniversary year of ISKCON, unfolded itself in a unique way of chanting God’s names or sankirtan to an international audience in a manner related by them, an ISKCON release said here today.
“The message at the event is one of celebrating ‘unity in diversity’ and seeing each other as brothers and sisters regardless of race, religion, economic status, gender and nationality”, according to Gaura Vani, the founder of “Chant4change”.
Set in one of the most recognised and respected sites in Washington – on the steps of Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King Jr delivered his speech forever changing America’s history — more than 20,000 people converged to do Kirtan in North America.
“This event presented Krishna Consciousness in a relevant way, at an historic time, in an iconic place”, the release said.
ISKCON spiritual leader Radhanath Swami Maharaj said the event brought back the golden memories of ISKCON Founder Acharya Srila Prabhupada when he chanted and danced on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during his visit to Washington, DC for America’s Bi-Centennial in 1976.
In his speech, the ISKCON leader focussed on spiritual liberty saying “it addresses the core of all sufferings, the very core of the diseases, of selfishness, greed, illusion, envy even in the name of merciful God,” the release added.
Chant4Change concert was performed by Sweet Honey in the Rock, a Grammy Award winning group along with prominent Indian and international personalities.
Some of the prominent artists included Sarod Virtuoso Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan and Ayaan, Allan Gates, Howard Ross (NPR), Mikey Pauker Diversity Correspondent NPR, Fantuzzi well-known for Bhakti/Indian Kirtan Rabbi, Andrew Tanner, Yoga Alliance, David Newman, Linda Larkin, Disney-Princess Jasmine, Ajeet Kaur, Kerri Kelly from yoga-voting citizen well, Fannah Fi Allah and Kabir the Sufi Artists and Matt Sharpnick from Art Of Living.
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