The International Hindi Association in its continuing service to the Indian culture and studies has been putting on performances of rich Indian traditions for over quarter of a century by bringing the finest poets, artists, and scholars to a global audience (visit www.hindi.org). A recent program of the very best of Sufiana Hindi poetry combined with the very best of light Hindustani classical music was one such performance of artistic exposition in collaboration with Sangam at MIT Wong Auditorium on October 6. Those who attended had a chance to listen to India's famous vocalist Rekha Surya. She was accompanied by LearnQuest’s Nishikant Sonwalkar on Tabla and Harvard Sangeet’s Ameya Velingker on Harmonium. The program started at 5 PM with the introduction of artists by Alok Misra and concluded at 7 PM. Throughout the concert, as she enthralled the audience, people clapped, cheered and got completely immersed in the mood of the music, it became clear that Hindustani music always was and continues to be a part of people's lives.

Sufism is the mystical and ancient branch of religion that emphasizes the seeker's path toward ecstatic unity with God. This path is opulently embroidered with many means to "remembering God" including chanting the names of God, prayer, meditation, poetry, recitation, praise and music.

The sensuous and the sublime became one when Rekha Surya sang Sufi poetry. The audience was spellbound by her Kajri, Jhoola, Dadra, and Thumri. Her rich voice and passionate music evoked an exotic image of a bygone era. Her voice had presence. It announced itself. Raw and earthy, it was powerful in the upper reaches, husky and seductive in the lower octave. She was sometimes sprightly, sometimes melancholy, but always poignant. Rekha Surya is a talent to behold. Rarely does one find such confluence of restraint and abandon, discipline and playfulness, nerve-tingling sensuality and a near-sacred dedication to the Indian art of vocal exposition.

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