Ancient India's Gift to Obama on Inauguration Eve

Ancient India's Gift to Obama on Inauguration Eve

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Change is coming. Although a message most recently linked to President-Elect Obama, communities championing change is as old as ancient India. On January 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the eve of Obama's presidential inauguration - the worlds of spiritual music and politics will meet. "Chant 4 Change," held within sight of the White House at the Church of the Holy City, is both an interfaith gathering of sacred chant and a celebration of a new era of promises to transcend political divisions.

The event features Kirtan, a folk music rooted in ancient Indian tradition sometimes called the "music of yoga." Prominent Kirtan artists, including Grammy-award nominee Jai Uttal, Dave Stringer, Daphne Tse, and local performers Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits, will lead the evening of chanting which is hosted by renowned yoga teacher Shiva Rea.

"There is special excitement about this event," said Gaura Vani, owner of the sacred music website, GauraVani.com. "It represents a historical loop of reform that spans ancient East Indian spirituality, figures such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King, President-Elect Obama and the millions of people around the world that participated in his election. The common thread is change, in a deeply spiritual sense."

Brought into mainstream India in the late 15th century by spiritual reformer Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, it was the first known non-violent social reform movement against India's rigid caste system. Kirtan, with its interactive call and response format, played a significant role in community-based reform movements in India and beyond.

In the 20th century, Gandhi praised the power of this practice to bring about social change. Gandhi's influence on MLK's approach to passive resistance is well known, and King's powerful example was very influential on Obama's thinking. For the organizers of "Chant 4 Change," the connection between the four men represents a loop of history and thinking that has found its time again.

"All four men worked to change the status quo, and get back to the essence of community, inclusiveness, truth, justice," Gaura Vani said. "This is the 'tip of an iceberg' of hope and energy and change."

Chant 4 Change takes place on January 19, from 6:30pm to 11:30pm, at the Church of the Holy City located at 1611 16th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. Send inquiries to Jay Clark, press@chant4change.com.

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Source: Chant4Change

CONTACT: Jay Clark of Chant4Change, +1-202-758-0287

Web Site: http://www.chant4change.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment