Ms. Deepti Navaratna will premiere the second concert in her “Dialogues with the Divine” event series on Saturday June 27, 2015 at the First Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts from 4-6 pm. This concert, titled “The Alchemy of Bhakti”, centers on musical connections between the Christian faith and South Indian classical music, which typically is tied to Hinduism.

As a part of Deepti’s cultural entrepreneurship initiative The Carnatic Alchemy Project, which seeks to take South Indian classical music beyond its traditional boundaries, “Dialogues with the Divine” is a series of concerts exploring sacred imagery across world religions and transcending boundaries to unite musicians and music-lovers in spiritual expression. “Growing up in India, a melting pot of cultures and sounds, I have truly come to understand the value of being rooted in tradition while seeking new musical conversations,” says Deepti. “Such intercultural immersion allows me to appreciate the beauty of our differences and celebrate my identity as a South Indian classical musician, all at once.”

In this particular concert Deepti will join together with artist and musician Ms. Nedelka Prescod and her Boston-based acapella quartet , “Earth Tones”, to present South Indian classical and Christian songs and Negro spirituals that are thematically linked. There will also be an interfaith discussion led by Venkat Pula of Chinmaya Mission of Boston, Dr. George Abraham of Indian Gospel Melodies, Ruth Bersin of the Refugee Immigration Ministry and Ranjani Saigal of Ekal Vidyalaya.

“I believe we artists and creatives are able to touch and move the human spirit through their artistic expression,” says Nedelka of her involvement in the concert. “I believe it is our responsibility to focus this power for the purposes of healing and encouraging unity, oneness and wholeness.  I believe in 'The Alchemy of Bhakti's' ability to do so through the unified celebration of cultures, religions and music."

Deepti Navaratna is known for her ‘particularly lovely and bewitching voice’ (Boston Globe, 2010) and rare mix of classical wisdom, expressivity and virtuosity. From South Indian classical repertoire to avant garde contemporary compositions, she displays a unique versatility that is distinctly her own. Deepti is the first South Indian classical musician to be awarded a merit scholarship and cash prize to study World Music and Contemporary Improvisation at the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music. She was the first South Indian classical vocalist to be selected to represent India in a month-long residency at the Music Omi International Music residency for which she was awarded the Rajshekar Parikh Fellowship as well.

Nedelka Prescod is a graduate of The LaGuardia High School of the Arts in New York City and holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and Performance from New York University, a Master of Arts in Music Education from CUNY Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music in Contemporary Improvisation and a Gunther Schuller Medal winner from New England Conservatory. As a contemporary solo artist Nedelka has written, recorded and performed her songs in New York City, Boston and Florida, has toured internationally as a classical Mezzo-Soprano with her father's chorale (The Roy Prescod Chorale) and has represented the New England Conservatory at the annual Panama Jazz Festival founded by Danilo Perez and Patricia Zarate (2011).  Her solo project, "Manifest" was released in May 2008 (co-produced with Earl Blaize).  Nedelka, in addition to her work with “Earth Tones”, is a featured member of several jazz, gospel and mixed-pop groups in the New England area. She will be joined by Joseph Copeland and Robert Pate, her fellow members of “Earth Tones”.

Deepti and Nedelka will be accompanied by a select team of seasoned musicians including Amit Kavthekar on tabla and Mohan Krishnan on guitar.  

Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Ekal Vidyalaya village adopted by New England Kannada Koota. Ekal is charitable non-profit organization dedicated to education in rural areas of India. Additional supporting organizations include Chinmaya Mission of Boston, Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America and First Church Interfaith Initiative. The concert will be partially funded by a grant from the Cambridge Arts Council.

“Dialogues with the Divine: The Alchemy of Bhakti” will be held at First Church of Cambridge, 11 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

For more information about the “Dialogues with the Divine: The Alchemy of Bhakti” concert, please contact Anandini Sekhar at (248)875-6765 or via email at anandini77@gmail.com.

For additional information about Ms. Deepti Navaratna and The Carnatic Alchemy Project please visit www.deeptinavaratna.com.

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