Multi-instrumentalist and composer, Baluji Shrivastav presents his 'Song Celestial' 2009 UK Tour, from 12th May until 23 October 2009, where he embarks on a personal journey expressing the universality of the human spirit and ancient wisdom through music and spoken word. The Bhagavad Gita (which can be translated as ‘The Song of God’ or 'Song Celestial') is the essence of the Mahabharata which is a Sanskrit epic considered one of the most important religious classics of the world. Commissioned by St. Ethelburga’s Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in London, Baluji interprets Chapter Eleven which focuses on ‘Divine Sight’.

The Bhagavad Gita is a philosophical discourse on motivation and the nature of duty and morality. It is revered by millions of people around the world. The conversation in Chapter Eleven takes place between the archer Arjun and his beloved friend and teacher Krishna. The action takes place on the eve of a terrible war between the hundred Kaurava brothers (sons of the blind king Dhritrashtra), and their cousins the five Pandav brothers.

For Baluji, the battlefield itself is a metaphor for the human being and the Kaurava brothers are the many ways in which we delude ourselves. The Pandav brothers represent five virtues of self control, forgiveness, compassion, contentment and patience. Krishna represents inner wisdom and Arjun represents ordinary consciousness.

Arjun begs Krishna to reveal his true form but does not have the ability to comprehend this representation. In order to do this, Krishna gives Arjun ‘Divine Sight’ and reveals his entire cosmic form as Lord Krishna in all his wonderful and terrifying aspects. Endowed with this Divine Sight Arjun understands that the path to inner knowledge and the divine essence of humanity is through deep, profound love and devotion.

About Baluji Shrivastav

Baluji was taught at the age of nine to recite the Bhagavad Gita in Sanskrit by his father. At first Baluji was enchanted with the sound of the language. Later he came to examine and reflect upon its meaning. Baluji’s musical story began in a small village of Usmanpur in North India; tragically blinded as a baby he was sent away as a young boy to live at Gwalior and then Ajmer Blind School where music was a compulsory subject.

His talent soon became apparent and after winning many prizes fundraising for the school, he was elevated to conduct the 80 strong school orchestra. Supporting his whole family from a young age, Baluji toured India playing with the National Ballet Troupe. This exposed him to the rich variety of regional musical styles which have become a lifelong source of inspiration.

In the late 1970’s the Hippie Trail through Asia landed on Baluji’s doorstep bringing him students from all over the world and encounters with all kinds of musicians including George Harrison with whom he played, although at that time he was unaware of who the Beatles were! Little did Baluji imagine that these encounters would eventually lead him to Europe and to work with some of the most famous musicians. In 1981, Baluji arrived alone in France with $22 and his sitar.

And so began a series of adventures, with his music drawing people to him and taking him all over the world to perform, record, compose and teach. His immense talent helped him breakthrough traditional prejudices and barriers towards his lack of a musical family pedigree and his disability. He went onto perform and record with some of the greatest tabla accompanists such as Anindo Chatterji, Ustad Fayaz Khan and Zakir Hussein. His philosophy that music is a universal language is demonstrated by his work with Massive Attack, Future Sound of London, Annie Lennox, Andy Sheppard, Guy Barker, Kaiser Chiefs and Oasis.

About the Bhagavad Gita

The origin of the Bhagavad Gita is within the pre-Christian era although the date of composition and the author of the Gita is not known with certainty. Scholars think that the date of composition of the Bhagavad Gita is between the 5th and the 2nd century BC. The Gita embodies the essence of the Mahabharata and the Vedas which are the philosophical basis of Sanatan Dharma. This term was replaced by the Mughal invaders of India by the word Hinduism .The term Hindu did not exist before that time. Instead the term Sanatan Dharma meaning knowledge without boundaries of any kind was used to describe Indian philosophy.

'Song Celestial' Concert Dates