This new publication, Esraj 7, offers 10 tracks of Sri Chinmoy playing the esraj. The album includes a few songs composed by Sri Chinmoy in December 1979, during Sri Chinmoy’s visit to Hawaii. During this visit to Hawaii, Sri Chinmoy offered a few public concerts and interviews for radios and TVs.
Sri Chinmoy Plays the Esraj 7
Last modified November 16, 2013
Sri Chinmoy’s new song “Hawaii” was performed at the first concert.
Hawaii, Hawaii, Hawaii!
O eastern sun, O western sky!
Quality-heart, quantity-mind:
Truth-seekers, life-lovers,
In you find.
– Sri Chinmoy
Sri Chinmoy and his students gave two public concerts during their visit to Hawaii over the Christmas holidays. One was held Jan. 3 at the Neal Blaisdell Center and the other on Jan. 6 at Central Union Church in Honolulu.
Hawaii’s U.S. Senators and Congressmen greeted Sri Chinmoy’s arrival in their state with welcoming letters:
“I wish to express my warmest aloha and best wishes to you,” U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye wrote “Your efforts to promote world peace through diplomacy, cultural understanding and spiritual harmony are well known and appreciated throughout the world…”
“As one who has personally admired the inspiration you have provided, please know that you have my sincerest hopes for much continued success. ” Congressman Daniel K. Akaka wrote: “It is indeed a rare privilege to have a man of your stature in our islands. Your achievements in literature, music and the arts have provided a lasting treasure for our generation and those to come… We have much to thank you for and trust that you will continue your cultural and educational contributions.”
Letters also came from Hawaii’s other U.S. Senator, as well as Congressman Heftel and Governor Ariyoshi.
From the interview on the Radio K108, Honolulu, Hawaii on 28 December 1979.
Interviewer: What part does music play in the spiritual life of an individual?
Sri Chinmoy: The role of music in the spiritual life is extremely important and significant. God is the Supreme Musician, and His entire creation is His divine Music. At every moment we can be His conscious instruments. And spiritual music itself is an instrument to show us our universal Reality.
Interviewer: Then you agree with the traditional idea of man being a hollow bamboo flute that God plays?
Sri Chinmoy: Yes, that is what we are all striving for – to be the instruments of the Supreme.
Interviewer: You are referred to as an Indian spiritual Master.
Sri Chinmoy: I am referred to as a spiritual Master, but I will always call myself a seeker, an eternal seeker learning at the Feet of my Beloved Supreme. Life is the greatest opportunity to make progress, and at every moment we can avail ourselves of this opportunity. Each of us is a seeker, walking along Eternity’s Road, which has no beginning and no end.
Interviewer: You are saying that we are all disciples?
Sri Chinmoy: We are all seekers. Some of us are consciously seeking; some are unconsciously seeking. But if we do something consciously, then we derive more benefit.
From the book – What I Need From God, Agni Press, 1982 by Sri Chinmoy
The photo on the left shows Sri Chinmoy after a long drive to Makiki Heights, far above Honolulu, offering a breathtaking view of the city.. The second photo (right) shows Sri Chinmoy composing songs.
Photos of Sri Chinmoy from the public race-walking on at Ala Moana Park.
Artist: Sri Chinmoy
Name: Sri Chinmoy Plays the Esraj 7
Release year: 1979 (MC)
Duration: 0:58:48
Acknowledgements: Sri Chinmoy
Page Created: Ashish Zubaty / Tejvan Pettinger
Format: Advanced Audio Coding
Photos by Shraddha, San Francisco Sri Chinmoy Centre archive
