About this Event
for the first time, puja presents a repertoire of compositions drawn from the historical and spiritual roots of north indian classical (hindustani shastriya sangeet) and devotional (bhakti) music. this program offers a thoughtful exploration of these lineages, rooted in reverence for tradition while allowing space for the expression and lived experiences of the musicians who carry it forward.
these musical forms are inseparable from their spiritual foundations. the performance unfolds as a journey—an exploration of sound as consciousness, where sonic vibration becomes a medium for connection to something greater than the self.
featuring siddhart chitnis (tabla), sahar farooqi khundmiri (sitar), rachna vanjani (harmonium, manjira, vocals), maria mcmullough (violin, manjira, vocals), and vir desai (dholki, harmonium, manjira, vocals).
there will also be some (optional) participatory sections where you’ll be invited to sing along and experience these traditions as a shared, living practice.
Tickets are sliding scale $15-25
BIPOC tickets are available at $10
mx puja singh:
coming from an indian background (punjabi sikh) and being deeply in love with india from a young age, puja is constantly learning more about their own lineage and the practices and traditions that come from this beautiful land and culture. they practice/teach kīrtan (indian devotional music) in their own online/in person classes as well as through Sacred Sound Lab. and they study indian classical music (rāga sangīt) with ranjana ghatak (swaranjali) and received their initial taleem (training) from sri subhashish mukhopadyay (a topmost exponent of the kotali gharana).
mx puja singh aka puja singh titchkosky (they/he) is a queer, nonbinary trans, indian canadian, devotional singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist + teacher based on tongva land (los angeles, california) / born on tsawwassen, musqueam and other coast salish peoples' land (vancouver, bc, canada).
puja’s work is informed by and shared through a lens of decolonization and the dismantling of oppressive systems of power (white supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism, etc).
*mx (pronounced mix) is a gender neutral prefix used in the same way as ms, mrs or mr.
Sahar Khundmiri bridges Hindustani classical music, Sufi devotional practice, and vibrational soundwork. Her fusion of sitar with frequency creates waveforms that move through the body and soften the heart. She weaves bowls, chimes, voice, and gong frequencies into a spacious, transformative soundscape.
Sidd Chitnis
Siddharth (Sidd) is a Los Angeles-based musician with two decades of experience in performing and teaching Indian classical music. With a degree in percussions, he focuses on traditional classical rhythms and harmonies with a touch of modern contemporary styles through his own melodies & grooves on handpan.
Sidd has performed solo and in accompaniment at numerous venues, festivals and cultural events in India and abroad. Exploring creativity, he continues to collaborate with various artists to bridge musical themes of East and West.
Sidd's music mainly draws inspiration from folk elements of Eastern percussion and Bollywood drama, creating a rich and impassioned experience for the audience.
maria mccullough (they/she) loves to share and explore with beings through music, gentle movement, laughter, love and rest. they have been studying Indian classical, semi-classical and folk music with puja as well as Sacred Soundlab since 2021. maria is grateful to be co-existing on Southern Tiwa Land (ABQ, NM)and to be in a relationship-building journey with the land, water and beings there.
rachna vanjani (they/them) is a physician and reproductive justice advocate who recently found their love for bhakti yoga after meeting mx puja singh through a yoga teacher training in 2023. they never thought they would be singing in public and are grateful for their teachers, sacred sound lab, and the sweet community of people who have supported their healing to open and share their voice. rachna’s path includes living in sacred reciprocity with the earth, advocating for the liberation of all beings, expanding consciousness, and being in service.
cj "vir" desai (they/them) is a student of music, theology, and traditional forms of healing. they currently live in nashville, tn on Yuchi land where they work as a community acupuncturist while wrapping up their master of divinity degree at vanderbilt. vir started learning about Indian devotional music from puja and the other incredible teachers at sacred sound lab in 2023.
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With some exception, The Philosophical Research Society’s 7th House Screenings does not typically provide advisory warnings about potentially upsetting content or subject matter, as sensitivities are particular to each viewer. Please be sure to read event listings, research on the web, or visit Common Sense Media, IMDb, and DoesTheDogDie.com for thorough info on content and age-appropriateness. If you have any specific content advisory questions, please email [email protected].
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Philosophical Research Society, 3910 Los Feliz Boulevard, Los Angeles, United States
USD 12.51 to USD 25.31
