Music as a Tool of Intercultural Communication

"Music binds us all together, across race, religions, continents, the one power that unites everyone other than love is music," says Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Young or old, people from different cultures witness this power when they participate in Art of Living satsangs across the world. Emphasizing on the harmonizing power of satsang, Gurudev says, "Satsang increases awareness and a sense of belongingness. So many of us are here together but we are not asking each other about our caste or religion, are we? We are sitting here together as one family!" Whether it is satsangs in Indian villages or gatherings such as the World Culture Festival, satsangees (people in satsang) unite and bring back the positive vibes to their respective communities.

World Culture Festival, Berlin, Germany

An Unforgettable Peace Festival with Dance, Music, Yoga, Meditation, and Food.On 2-3 July 2011, The Art of Living celebrated 30 years of its service to the society with The World Culture Festival.

 

It was a unique celebration of harmony in diversity that brought together 50,000 participants from 151 countries who took home unique sights, sounds, tastes and the mesmerizing variety of all the world continents in one place!

In a bid to promote peace, intercultural dialog and togetherness, senior governmental representatives, business leaders, academia, leaders of NGOs, religious and spiritual leaders, peacemakers and renowned personalities from across the globe shared their views and spread the message of peace, unity and intercultural harmony.

Naadha Vaibhavam, Chennai, India

A grand Carnatic (Indian classical music) symphony with over 5600 Carnatic musicians performed on 31 January 2011.

“When the heart sings, the divine dances” - this was evident during this Carnatic Music Symphony, where the enchanting power of music uplifted all present. With the aim of making classical Carnatic Music accessible to the masses, and to offering an experience that goes beyond entertainment and individual virtuosic display, the symphony, Naadha Vaibhavam, brought over 300 thousand people together as audience to this spectacle. Amongst them, were also great maestros of Carnatic Music.

 

Antarnaad, Pune, India

 

Over 2750 Hindustani (Indian classical) vocalists performed together on one platform on 12 January 2010.

Antarnaad showcased the vast repertoire of Hindustani classical music and provided a platform for the exponents of this ancient Indian art. Stating that classical music and spirituality are among the most definitive and unique offerings India can make to the world, Gurudev said, “Spirituality and music together can uplift people, get them out of depression and help them start a new life with enthusiasm.”

Brahm Naad, Noida, NCR, India

Symphony of Peace and Harmony. 1094 sitarists performed on a single stage.Based on ancient ragas from the Gandharva Veda, namely Raga Gara, Bageshwari and Hansadhwani Brahm Naad conceptualized the all encompassing love for the Divine through the fascination and pull of love,

the anguish of longing, and the final culmination through Divine union.

Attesting to India’s multiethnic heritage and cultural vitality, sitarists from the age of 7 to 70, from different countries, different religious backgrounds, castes and sections of society came together in this celebration of unity and harmony.

The Art of Living received its official recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records for organizing the largest-ever sitar concert, with 1094 sitarists playing together on a single stage.

 
 
Founded in 1981 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,The Art of Living is an educational and humanitarian movement engaged in stress-management and service initiatives. Mehr