Many Paths to the Divine: Devotional Music from the Indian, Persian, and Arab Traditions
The program builds on the rich devotional repertoire in the Indian, Persian and Arab traditions. The many paths to the Divine cross at meeting points where different languages, religions and mystical traditions use the same language of love and metaphors of intoxication. Souls yearning for unity with the universe in a primordial state of complete knowledge, and express that yearning, Wajd as the Sufis call it, through poetry and song. Most members of the ensemble have been making music together for more than two decades and find joy and meaning in these re-encounters of cultures, religions and languages that have interacted with each other throughout history.
The concert will be followed by a discussion with the musicians.
GAURAV SHAH (Vocals, Harmonium, Bansuri)
ADITYA PHATAK (Tabla)
YOUSEF TEHRANI (Vocals, Daf)
HEDAYAT SHAFEI (Tar, Vocals)
ZAFER TAWIL (Oud, Nay, Vocals)
TAOUFIK BEN AMOR (Vocals, Daf, Bendir)
This concert is sponsored by Columbia Arts and Sciences, the Computer Music Center, the Center for Ethnomusicology, and the Department of Music.
Live at St. Paul’s Chapel — or, watch on YouTube.
If you don’t have a current Columbia ID, you MUST register by clicking the blue "register" button below. (Please do not use the same email address to register multiple people; this will confuse the system.) Registration will close at 11am sharp the day before the concert.