Jain Spirit 2005 12 No24

SR No.: 529004
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 102
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, UK_Jain Spirit, & UK
File Size: 21 MB

Page 30

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NEWS FEATURES
HOW MUSIC FOUND US
News Editor Rebecca Hoh showcases the musical story of Sisters Sheelan and Gauri Malde, vocalists on Jain Spirit's Voyage of Peace and Joy CD
usic for us is pure passion and love. It takes us into another level of life, peace, eternity and bliss. Music brings inner strength within our souls and mind. We feel God has given us a gift to share amongst our people."
M
That's powerful stuff. You cannot expect much else from two sisters, who have had a life captivated by music since they were toddlers. The two singers, who performed at Jain Spirit's 'Voyage of Peace and Joy' concert this year, shared their story with us.
Sheelan and Gauri's adventure started at the age of three and six when their parents, Rajni and Anu Malde, showed them the way to stardom - MUSIC! It all began with a little help from the lightest of pushes by the lady they call their Guru, Nimaben Shah. She taught them to sing and play the harmonium, and it was her words which spurred them on. "You have a gift from God and have beautiful voices like angels. You must pursue your singing forever."
With this encouragement they went on to learn the keyboard from Mohammed Kassam and before long they were performing in his band. The tabla player of the band was a young man named Kuljit Bhamra and within ten years he went onto be a top producer. The girls played a number of concerts as part of Kassam's band but soon they felt the need to spread their wings and with a taste for performance they began to form their own independent act.
But just as suddenly as they had found their calling, they were hit with a 'dry
spell'; no concerts or performances, the phone stopped ringing and for six months it seemed their destiny had hit a standstill! As many people who love to perform will understand, Sheelan and Gauri describe this time as disheartening and as though they were 'incomplete'. But along with these feelings they also had the view that it "was not only in our hands and that a miracle was going to happen!"
And true enough, at the end of the sixth month there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Their Mum! As mother's do, Anu had immeasurable faith in her children and an iron will for them to succeed! She knew that their talents would be wasted if they did not pursue further into a career of music. She single-handedly searched for freelance musicians and eventually all her hard work paid off. The music found them, and Dilwale was born. This is now their band, built from the collection of session musicians found by Anu.. Sheelan and Gauri describe it as "music from the heart and the turning point which changed our future completely." They started to live their lives for the music and managing their time became a priority. Sheelan goes on to say, "My sister and I always train our voices before any show. We make sure we put 100% dedication into our work. One of our main aims is to create a deep respect with the younger audience and make English/Hindi style of music appealing to them."
Their schedule began filling up, to date they have played at various festive events. They also got a call from their old friend, Kuljit Bhamra, who asked them to perform with him in London with Sangeeta Kaur, after his stint with Bombay Dreams and Far Pavilions.
It was last year that they got the call from Kaushik Khajuria and his band Strings to see if they would be interested in supplying the backing vocals for the Jain Spirit CD, A Voyage of Peace and Joy. They agreed and it is their enchanting voices you hear on the complimentary CD from Issue 21. On 9 April 2005, they took part in the CD launch show hosted by the magazine. The sisters had a great time, "the concert was a lot of fun and was a fusion of all world music fused with Hindustani acoustic melodies." This mix of cultures is something close to their hearts as their ambition is to release their own CD in English and Hindi.
So that's the story so far. Their young career has already been a roller coaster ride, but we are so pleased to have worked with them in the formative years of what will probably be a hugely successful and long life in music. I'll leave you with a message from the girls. "We would like to take the opportunity to thank our family and friends and all those mentioned above for their guidance and support. We couldn't have done it without you!" •
GET ON
THE NET
USA DIWALI STAMP? Diwali is a festival celebrated globally by Hindu, Jain and several other faiths, and the United States Postal Department is thinking about issuing stamps for this occasion. And why not? USPS has stamps for other festivals too, like Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Chinese New Year. To do this, USPS needs 500,000 signatures to have the stamp release. If you would like a stamp to be issued to commemorate the festival of lights and the multi-cultural rich diversity of the people of the USA and India, you can go to the site below and support the release. You need not be Indian to sign the petition!
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/diwali03/
Issuance of US Potar Service stamp on Diwal
VOTE TO ENTER BAHUBALI INTO THE RUNNING FOR THE NEXT 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD
Individuals can cast their vote for their choice of the contenders by 24 December 2005. A total of 77 top scoring sites will be selected by filtering among the numerous sites nominated." An international expert will create a shortlist of 21 sites of these 77 entries. These 21 sites will once again be allowed for public polling. Out of these only the top seven sites will be selected finally under the '7 Wonders of the World', which would be announced on 1 January 2007.
Click onto www.new7wonders.com
Be part of the making of history!
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