presents

Instruments of Devotion 1995

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A collection of instrumental interpretations of devotional music from India, produced at the end of my stay in India on an AIIS grant. The album was recorded live in a studio in Delhi (April/93) direct to digital, with no overdubs. On this album, an ensemble of classically trained musicians improvise on kirtan melodies in a light classical style.

"This ensemble will delight you with their unique instrumental presentation of vocal music. Absolutely refreshing and joyful!" India Currents - Dec/1995

Click one the song names to listen.

1) Oh Mata (Trad/Adapt.Emam) Instrumental interpretations of devotional music from India (Kirtan), performed in a light Indian classical/World Fusion style. Zoltán Lantos violin Matlub Hussain Khan sitar Sami Khan sarod Naushad Ahmed tabla Emam dumbak Ravi Rohtgi dholak

2) Raghunandan (Trad/Adapt.Emam) Instrumental interpretations of devotional music from India (Kirtan), performed in a light Indian classical/World Fusion style. This one is dedicated to Lord Ram and his consort Sita. Zoltán Lantos violin Matlub Hussain Khan sitar Sami Khan sarod Naushad Ahmed tabla Emam dumbak Ravi Rohtgi dholak

3) Hanuman Chalisa (Trad/Adapt.Emam) Instrumental interpretations of devotional music from India (Kirtan), performed in a light Indian classical/World Fusion style. This one is dedicated to the monkey god Hanuman who is also supposed to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Zoltán Lantos violin Matlub Hussain Khan sitar Sami Khan sarod Naushad Ahmed tabla Emam dumbak Ravi Rohtgi dholak

4) Amba Amba (Trad/Adapt.Emam) Instrumental interpretations of devotional music from India (Kirtan), performed in a light Indian classical/World Fusion style. This one is dedicated to the divine mother. Zoltán Lantos violin Matlub Hussain Khan sitar Sami Khan sarod Naushad Ahmed tabla Emam dumbak Ravi Rohtgi dholak

5) Arti (Trad/Adapt.Emam) Instrumental interpretations of devotional music from India (Kirtan), performed in a light Indian classical/World Fusion style. Arti (Arati) is a ritual performed at all Hindu temples, twice a day (sunrise and sunset). This is a traditional melody used by almost everyone who performs the ritual, however each temple uses their own lyrics to dedicate it to the deity they worship. Zoltán Lantos violin Matlub Hussain Khan sitar Sami Khan sarod Naushad Ahmed tabla Emam dumbak Ravi Rohtgi dholak

6) Siddhasanasin (Trad/Adapt.Emam) Instrumental interpretations of devotional music from India (Kirtan), performed in a light Indian classical/World Fusion style. Lyrics for this one were written by Mahendra Maharaj in praise of Maha Avatar Babaji. Zoltán Lantos violin Matlub Hussain Khan sitar Sami Khan sarod Naushad Ahmed tabla Emam tabla Ravi Rohtgi dholak

7) Shankara Daya (Trad/Adapt.Emam) Instrumental interpretations of devotional music from India (Kirtan), performed in a light Indian classical/World Fusion style. Dedicated to lord Shankara (Shiva). Emam tabla Matlub Hussain Khan sitar Sami Khan sarod Naushad Ahmed tabla Zoltán Lantos violin Ravi Rohtgi dholak

8) Teri Sharan (Trad/Adapt.Emam) Instrumental interpretations of devotional music from India (Kirtan), performed in a light Indian classical/World Fusion style. Another one with lyrics written by Mahendra Maharaj in praise of Maha Avatar Babaji. Zoltán Lantos violin Matlub Hussain Khan sitar Sami Khan sarod

9) Sankirtan (Trad/Adapt.Emam) Instrumental interpretations of devotional music from India (Kirtan), performed in a light Indian classical/World Fusion style. This also was written by Mahendra Maharaj in praise of Maha Avatar Babaji. Zoltán Lantos violin Matlub Hussain Khan sitar Sami Khan sarod Naushad Ahmed tabla Emam dumbak Ravi Rohtgi dholak

10) Kali Kali Ma (Trad/Adapt.Emam) Instrumental interpretations of devotional music from India (Kirtan), performed in a light Indian classical/World Fusion style. Dedicated to Goddess Kali. Zoltán Lantos violin Matlub Hussain Khan sitar Sami Khan sarod Naushad Ahmed tabla Emam dumbak Ravi Rohtgi dholak

All compositions are adaptations of traditional devotional melodies from India. Produced by Emam for Eternal Music. ©1995 Emam - Published by Emam & Friends 1995 - BMI.

Temple bells recorded at Hairakhan Vishwa Maha Dham in the Himalayan Foothills, India. Cover sunset photo taken in Hairakhan - 1979. Photos of deities taken at Bansal Marble House (New Delhi). Recorded Live/Direct to Digital at S. Kalyani Studios (Delhi, India) - April 1993. Recording Engineer: Rajinder Gandhi. Special Thanks to: Gerald Brouwer (Pujari) and Daniel Fuchs.