Concert tribute to 100th Anniversary of Czechoslovakia
To mark the 100th Anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia in 1918, members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre offered three special concerts dedicated to the friendship between the Czech and Slovak Republics.
The tour began with a concert in Zlin on 15th November. The second concert was held at Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav Theatre in Bratislava on 16th November. The following day on the 17th November, the final concert was offered at Dvorak Hall, Rudolfinum in Prague. The 17th of November is also a significant date in Czech/Slovak history as it marks the 'Velvet Revolution' and the end of Communist rule.
The concerts contained performances from four different musical groups, along with a video projection of one of Sri Chinmoy's own Peace Concerts. The performers included Alap and Lucas on flute and duduk; the sitar-tabla-tanpura trio of Kanala, Sadananda and Ushika; and Shamita and Bhoiravi from Austria on strings. The finale was the international Sahadeva Ensemble, with over 60 members.
The music performed was composed by Sri Chinmoy and included a rendition of Sri Chinmoy's tribute to Czechoslovakia - a song which Sri Chinmoy wrote in 1990 during his visit. This particular song was first performed in New York, 1996 in the presence of Karel Kovan and Petr Tomek, the then-ambassadors of the Czech Republic and Slovakia in the United Nations.
The concert venues were all filled to capacity and the audience expressed their appreciation for a memorable musical experience. The performers came from many different Sri Chinmoy Centres around the world and arrived in the Czech Republic for several days of intense practice before performing in the concerts.
The concert series was given the title Concert for your Heart, in recogition of Sri Chinmoy's approach to music and spirituality, which is to focus on the spiritual heart.
Only the music
Of the aspiration-heart
Can unlock the door
Of Heaven.Sri Chinmoy 1
During his lifetime, Sri Chinmoy offered seven major Peace Concerts in Czech and Slovakia. This included a concert for 15,000 people in Prague during 1995. Sri Chinmoy felt that through prayerful music, he could offer seekers the opportunity for a meditative experience.
- Photos by Apaguha Vesely
- 1. Sri Chinmoy, Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, part 1, Agni Press, 1998
Music & Concerts
More stories from Sri Chinmoy's students.
If I can smile like that, it's worth becoming a disciple
Mahatapa Palit New York, United StatesSeeing the God inside my son
Utsahi St-Armand Ottawa, CanadaA 40-Year Blessing
Sarama Minoli New York, United StatesMuhammad Ali: I was expecting a monster, but I found a lamb
Sevananda Padilla San Juan, Puerto RicoMy Life with Sri Chinmoy: a book
Tejvan Pettinger Oxford, United KingdomI was just so transported by the atmosphere
Pulak Viscardi New York, United StatesThe connection between Sri Chinmoy's music and my soul
Kamalakanta Nieves New York, United StatesSri Chinmoy's opening meditation at the Parliament of World Religions
Pradhan Balter Chicago, United StatesPraying for God’s Grace to Descend
Sweta Pradhan Kathmandu, NepalI know where you are
Kamalakanta Nieves New York, United StatesPeople see something in Guru and want to be part of it
Saraswati Martín San Juan, Puerto RicoI see infinitely more than I say
Agraha Levine Seattle, United StatesIn the Whirlwind of Life
Pradeep Hoogakker The Hague, NetherlandsSuggested videos
interviews with Sri Chinmoy's students