presents

Navratri in Hairakhan April 1992

Listen for free or purchase downloads

"Something about well-rendered, authentic Indian devotional music has the power to draw one up and out...The violin work of Zoltan Lantos is superb here, as always... percussion section of tabla, dholak, and dumbak is a call to happy feet and dancing." Heartsong Review - Fall 94/Winter 95

Devotional music of India (Kirtan and Bhajan), recorded digitally at Hairakhan Vishwa Maha Dham, ashram of Maha Avatar Babaji in the Himalayan Foothills, featuring lead vocals by Ashok Chopra, violin by Zoltan Lantos, tabla by Naushad Ahmed, and dumbak by Emam. Navratri is the celebration of the Divine Mother principle. It is celebrated twice a year in India for nine nights; Spring and Fall. Hairakhan is a small village in the Himalayan Foothills in the North Indian state of Uttarakhand. In this remote village, by the banks of the river Gautam Ganga, the great master Maha Avatar Babaji established an ashram he titled "Hairakhan Vishwa Maha Dham".

Hairakhan is hidden in the mountains and until recently, no paved roads. The closest dirt road used to ends a mile from the ashram. the only way to get there was a two hour walk in the river bed. Chanting has always been and remains one of the main activities during Navratri in Hairakhan. People from all around the world gather to celebrate and sing the praise of the Divine Mother.

Click one the song names to listen.

1) Shera Walie (Traditional)

2) Mere Ram (Traditional)

3) Radhe Goinda (Traditional)

4) Nadia Napia (Traditional)

5) Jai Ambe (Traditional)

6) Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram (Traditional)

7) Jai Shambo (Traditional)

8) Ram Siaram (Traditional)

9) Oh Mata (Traditional)

Ashok & Pawan Chopra (India): Vocals on #1, 2, 4, 6, 8 Zoltan Lantos (Hungary): Violin Naushad Ahmed (India): Tabla on #1, 2, 4, 6, 8 Ganga (Italy): Lead Vocal and Harmonium on #3, 5, 7, 9 Pujari (Holland): Harmonium on #1, 2, 4, 6, 8 Girish (India) and Kharak Singh (Canada): Dholak #3, 5, 7, 9 Emam (USA/Iran): Dumbak Produced by Emam Recorded Live (Direct to DAT) by Emam & Kathleen Lloyd using a DAT recorder, a Tascam M06 mixer, three Beyer Dynamic mics, one EV308 mic, and two Nakamichi omni mics.

The following are some of the other people who made this possible by singing their hearts out during chanting: Moti Ma (Germany), Mary (UK), Janki (UK), Joya (Germany), Kalyani (Italy), Gioia (Italy), Sabine (Germany), Om Prakash (UK), Raghuvir (Holland), Manuela (Germany), Hukan Singh (Germany), Bhuru (Holland), Kailash (USA), Leopold (Austria), Ram Lota (Italy), Ganga Ram (Italy), Rama (India), Shakti (Switzerland), Hilde (Germany), Katrin (Germany)