Gondwana Dawn : World Music Echoing Humanity

Music is said to be the voice of the soul, it is also believed to be the language of emotions; that it is all around us and we learn from it every day. Looking back at our youth we can easily see the reflection of music and its association with learning. Simple alphabets became a song, Short stories transformed to jingles and even though all of us might not admit it today, we did actually enjoy it.

Gondwana Dawn is a story of 8 underprivileged children who have travelled to India with their amazing talent, to learn and explore the new ventures of music, a story of how Indian Classical Music fused with African Gospel to create a soul altering rhythm.

It all started with Robin Hogarth (two-time Grammy Award winner) and Sumitra Guha (Icon in the Indian Classical music industry) joining hands in early October 2011 to create and explore new ventures of World Music. Gondwana Dawn album is a collection of soulful melody, pulsating rhythms, powerful hymns of the Veda and the ancient spirituality of African echoes, it is the voice of humanity that touches the heart of millions.

Songs like Freedom, Celebrate, Child of the World, inspires the people to look at the brighter side of humanity and spread brotherhood, peace and unite two diverse cultures of Africa and India. Here is the link of breathtaking songs and videos from the Gondwana Dawn Album for you to experience.

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Concert in Los Angeles - A Dream Come True!

With our final concert in L.A. (Los Angeles), the enthusiasm of the team is very high. We are enjoying every minute of our rehearsals and getting ready for a super performance.

We got to learn a lot about the music industry here in Hollywood and are thrilled to exhibit our music in this endowed city of performers. We are going to be performing numbers like The Dawn, Celebrate, Push Push and more from the Gondwana Dawn Album. We hope to do well and share our musical journey, which brings together the two vibrant cultures of India and Africa.


Details:-
Gondwana Dawn Reception and Performance
In Support of youth for Human Rights International
Sunday the 6th October , 2013
Celebrity Center International Garden Pavilion, 5930 Franklin Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles

Entrance free, RSVP Pamela (323) 960 - 3100

 of October 2013, 1.00 pm (doors open at 12.30 pm)

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The Final Chapter - Concert at India Habitat Centre

The India Habitat Centre is a huge landmark in Delhi, having been built just after independence. It hosts several cultural events and exhibitions and is constantly a hub of activity.

The concert at India Habitat Centre was not strictly a part of the Gondwana Dawn Project as can be seen from the poster. Nevertheless there was quite good media coverage and a number of esteemed guests. The children were wonderful and the mix of traditional Indian and African music was magical; the audience was mesmerised.

I think this little car has been in the parking garage since independence too!

 Luch time and rehearsals at the auditorium

 Two traditional instrument players in the back and two modern instrumentalists in the front!

 Madam Dixit, the Minister of Delhi and to her right, Mr Vejpayei from the ICCR.

 Mrs Debora Balatsang from the SouthAfrican High Commission, who enjoyed singing our encore with us.

Farewell to India and our wonderful hosts

Thank you Peermont for making it possible for us to make history!

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Comings and Goings

The following are just a touch of what we has been part of our daily comings and goings:

 Sonia all dressed up to take us to an event

 Aneesha and Sohini showing me around the Durga Pooja Festival (the victory of good over evil)

 At the Mall!!

 Our Zumba exercise sessions to keep the blood flowing

 Sam and I grabbing a power nap while we wait for our driver

 Our little Sunday morning service 

 Great excitement- the first ever Indian Formula One Grand Prix,so a car was placed on display at the mall.

 Zinhle showing off her new Kurta

 Sonia doing some informal interviews for the documentary

 This iron is so heavy, it frightens the clothes into submission !

(which is just as well because it is too heavy to handle efficiently)

 Good morning

 "Check out my new harem pants!"

 Thabiso in his own world

 Rehearsing "Woza Nkululeko" in the basement, which became our private space at the guest house

 Sonhil from the guest house trying on my sunglasses.

 More rehearsals

 Monica's beautiful Mehindhi

 Yay! presents from Sohini

 Lighting lamp at the studio for Diwali and also to say goodbye

 Farewell to Studio Groove

Koketso giving Monica a hairdo!

COFFEE!!!

Monica and Sam squaring up for action

On 26 October Sonia brought Sarees for the girls to parade in. She then explained what Deepawali was really about. We did not participate in the rituals, but had great fun lighting fireworks with the rest of Delhi.

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