About this Event
Led by Sulekh Ruparell, a professional Indian classical musician and expert in Bhajan, Mantra and Sanskrit Slokha. Sulkeh’s virtuoso harmonium playing and famously sweet singing will be accompanied by mesmerising tabla and beautiful backing vocals.
This evening Kirtan session is designed to be an uplifting, communal experience. While Sulekh’s roots are in traditional, authentic delivery, he is adamant that tradition should never mean inaccessible.
Sulekh explains, "The kirtans are going to be simple; simple words, simple mantras that everyone's familiar with, that everybody can enjoy singing along to, coloured with stories, and teaching, so people really understand what they're singing about."
Accompanied by a tabla and backing vocals, Sulekh will lead the chants, accompanying himself on harmonium. His playing is a blend of the traditional melodic focus of Indian classical music coloured with chords. Sulekh explains. "My teacher was adept at teaching this style of playing, and I loved his style.”
Sulekh and friends maintain the true essence of Kirtan which is the union of artist and audience in a perfect sound which draws us closer to connection with the self and make us aware of our true nature.
“The best kirtan I’ve heard outside of an Indian Ashram” M.M.
RAGA SINGING & KIRTAN WORKSHOP There is also an afternoon workshop with Sulekh Ruparell. Step into an immersive, uplifting three-hour journey into the magic of Ragas and experience how they inform Kirtan and Mantra Chanting. Saturday 10th October, 2pm-5pm @ Stroud Yoga Space
ABOUT SULEKH
Sulekh Ruparell is a London-based Indian Classical Musician, a virtuoso harmonium and tabla player, and an expert in devotional music with over 25 years of teaching and performing experience.
Like many British Indian families, Sulekh’s family are originally from Gujarat, in western India on the border with Pakistan. Sulekh himself was born and raised in London, but an early family visit to India shaped his musical direction.
“My trip to India when I was 11 was a defining moment. Staying in an ashram and listening to folk singers sing devotional Indian music was a watershed moment for me. I found the music that I love. And going back in my second trip, aged 13, my father bought me my first harmonium.”
Sulekh started learning harmonium and tabla in the UK, but he recalls how one of his teachers told him, “‘Sul, if you really want to learn this music, you need to take yourself to India.’ And that's what I did after my degree.”
Since then Sulekh has spent many years studying music with masters in India. In his kirtans and teaching, Sulekh draws on this deep well of experience, having learned under his classical teacher, Pandit Ishvar Jadhav, and finding his folk inspiration in the late Shantibhai. “I spent many, many hours with Shantibhai," Sulekh recalls. "He was an incredible folk musician and a huge inspiration in my music."
"I’m hoping that I can bring all those elements across when we do the workshop and the kirtan in Stroud." Sulekh really fell for the town and it’s people on his first visit in the summer. “I'm very grateful and honoured to share Indian music with the good people of Stroud. I just hope that I can give something extra cool, and perhaps something that they haven't necessarily seen in the world of kirtan”.
Event venue & nearby stays
The Old Town Hall, The Shambles, Stroud, United Kingdom
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