I recently received shipment of a new CD and a new book. The new CD is “Trickle on Down” and is a World Music album. The title track is done in a reggae style and addresses the issue of economic inequality. In the same vein we have re-recorded my song “Waiting for that Time” which expresses my desire to see a world where there is social justice everywhere. The other songs on the CD have spiritual themes. You can listen to the tracks on my music page
I also was happy to get copies of my new book The Wisdom of Tantra. This is a new and revised edition of The Wisdom of Yoga and it is a simple guide to all of the topics of Ananda Marga yoga philosophy.
The book and the CD were the works of spring (and I didn’t even mention my trip to India!), now the summer is awaiting.
From June 26-July 1 I will attend the Path of Bliss Summer Retreat in Round Top, NY . I will perform songs at the retreat’s cultural program. Later in July, July 1-23, I will participate in the Prout Convention in Vig, Denmark. I will also perform there
The concert features local artists and will be held at the Ananda Liina Yoga and Meditation Center, 2308 N. High Cross Rd., Urbana 61802
Performing artists are:
John Coppess (Country, Cowbody)
Paul Kotheimer (Singer-Songwriter)
Vinny Santanelli (Blues)
Dada Veda (Folk-Spiritual)
John McNally (Ambient Electronic)
Suggested donation is $5 and proceeds will be donated to the Syrian refugee relief projects of AMURT (in Lebanon and Greece). The concert will also be the CD release party for my new CD, Trickle on Down.
Last night I gave a short speech at the RAWA (Renaissance Artists and Writers Association) Concert in Kolkata. The program was held in a packed auditorium at Science City. I spoke about RAWA, and its aim of liberating artists from the fetters of political repression and from the domination of commercial interests. I also explained the significance of Prabhat Samgiita, the collection of 5018 spiritual songs composed by my guru, Shrii Shrii Anandamurti. Here are some photos (taken by Svapan De) of the event:
I released a new single song today which is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dadaveda4 . It is Baba Nam Kevalam 
kiirtan tune set to a pulsing electronic house music beat.
A few years ago when I was making the “Love is the Best” CD I came to the studio with my acoustic guitar and played a few bars of Baba Nam Kevalam. My producer, Ryan Sam, recorded what I did and told me to come back the following week. When I came back he had transformed it into an 11 minute electronic version of Baba Nam Kevalam. We put the 11 minute version on the CD, but it was too long for digital downloads. I noticed that young people like this kind of music and we recently edited the original “Kiirtan Remix” track into a radio-friendly three minute song.
I am going to promote it with New Age and electronic music radio stations and who knows, maybe people will be swinging to the rhythms of Baba Nam Kevalam at dance clubs around the world. You can get download the track at CD Baby or at iTunes and other online music outlets.
Whenever I perform or give a public talk I try to connect with my audience. I see how they are reacting and accordingly get inspiration or adjust my approach to make better rapport.
For the past few years I have been giving monthly concerts at two retirement homes and at one school for severely disabled children. Most of the people in the retirement homes that I visit are suffering from various stages of dementia and it is a challenge to make contact with them. Similarly the children and the adolescents at the school for the disabled are suffering from congenital problems which have affected them physically and mentally and I am not sure if I am getting through to them with my songs. Continue reading
