“Krodh na Chhoda, Jhooth na chhoda, Satyavachan kyon chhod diya?”
“You didn’t leave anger nor lies, why did you leave the path of truth ?”
– Poet Khaalas from Gandhiji’s Ashram Bhajnaavali
On 9th October 2022, New Acropolis Culture Circle hosted ‘Commemorating Gandhiji’, a live concert with Sufi singer Radhika Sood Nayak and Neil Mukherjee on Guitar at the New Acropolis Main Center in Colaba. The evening was a tribute to Gandhiji through some of his favourite songs from the “Ashram Bhajnaavali” a collection of devotional songs sung at his ashrams.
Radhika sang a selection which included Kabir’s ‘Mann Mast Hua Phir Kya Boley” speaking of joy experienced by a conscious mind. “Hansa Paaya Maansarovar, Taal Talaiya Kyun Doley?’ once it has touched the higher, why does it need any other experience? The audience then joined in to the popular song composed by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore ‘Ekla Chalo Re’ which talks about human fortitude to walk alone with one’s own conviction, even if no one else heeds to the call. Works of other poets such as Meerabai, Khalas, Narsinh Mehta and Guru Tegh Bahadur were also shared.
The poems and songs expressed universal themes of overcoming our anger, hate, our materialistic nature and instead to seek Truth and Beauty, which the poets suggest lie within us.
Radhika Sood Nayak discovered her love for Sufi music through the kalaam of poets like Baba Bulleh Shah and Shah Hussain. She has participated in music festivals including the Mumbai Kabir Festival, the Kala Ghoda Festival, NCPA’s Sufi Festival & many more.
Neil Mukherjee is a guitarist, international award-winning music composer & has worked with leading Indian music directors such as Shanker Ehsaan Loy & AR Rahman.
