An interview with a music band from Belgrade – Shaktipat Diksha
An interview with a music band from Belgrade
SHAKTIPAT DIKSHA
Everything that exists in the Universe has its own sound, melody and vibration. Music is the most sublime instrument that liberates our heart, causes inner peace, harmony, and connects directly with the Soul. The speech of Love and the Heart is a unique melody of the sound with which it presents itself.
1. For the first time on our scene, a music project such as this one is present. Could you tell us more about it?
Our music scene truly is very diverse. We noticed that there are no projects such as this one on it. Exactly from this reason we would like to present something completely new. Our project consists in of bringing closer the cultures of different nations and their musical traditions to the listeners, to introduce them to something that is different yet authentic in its own unique way. It is our wish to get to know many nations, both through music and through their culture, and to transfer to other what we had felt and discovered through music. We first started from India, by presenting one part of their musical culture. India is distant, very interesting country, to us Europeans not that familiar. It attracted our attention exactly because its unusualness and what it carries within through its spirit. The next project might be related to Tibet and their musical culture. Of course, our country is also in plan, although there is a good number of quality ethno bands, which in a very nice way present the culture of our country. This is only a short notice about the plans, the possible ideas and details that are a part of our musical project.
2. What actually led to the idea of deciding for this kind of performance?
Different and varied reasons led us to this idea. Nowadays, when life is very fast with a handful of obligations, many are under a great deal of tension and stress, both in the Balkans and around the world. There is very little time for rest. Music is something that can always get its space at such moments and be listened to, and if it is pleasant then it can be better able to influence many with its healing properties.
One of our ideas is to try to relax people as much as possible, through this kind of musical performance, and in this way, our listeners will meet us and feel us more, through what we create and represent. We all know that music is an incredible, inexplicable and unique cosmic instrument and phenomenon. In whichever form it manifests all across our planet, music creates a special experience and simply ennobles with its vibration. When a melody is as drinkable as the wine, everyone recognizes it and feels good while listening to it. In us spontaneously awakens a feeling of surrender that introduces us into the natural state of our true being. In this state, the stress and the blockades disappear, or at least are greatly reduced.
Music itself is very healing, it causes the state of peace and harmony in each of us. Life flows from within, and thus we feel better, happier, healthier, more content and relaxed. Our goal is precisely that all those who listen to us remain as long as possible in this state of peace and relaxation, and it is of great importance that they later successfully carry this over to everyday life. Unfortunately, many do not know what power music has and how great its effectiveness and impact on each of us.
3. We heard that your music album is finished. The genre will be completely different. Can you tell us something about the album?
Our first album was recently completed. We are very happy to have the opportunity to release it into the ether. We want to share what the album essentially carries in itself and transfer it to the world. We tried to make an unusual mix of traditional and modern sound, in a harmonious and diverse manner. Each song is imbued with something interesting and it seems to us that it will satisfy different musical tastes. We hope that it will be a pleasant surprise both in our country and abroad.
4. How many tracks will be there? What is the theme of the texts? Could you reveal the title of the album?
Nine tracks will be on the album. The theme of the texts is related to the culture of India, representing certain culturological spiritual models that they respect, live, and that are a part of their spiritual tradition. On the album, there will be a translation of all tracks, so listeners will have the opportunity to get to know the meaning. The title of the album is: PRAYERS OF HEART
5. What does Shaktipat Diksha mean?
Shaktipat Diksha means, literally – Direct transmission. What does this actually refer to? There is a certain state that music produces while it is being listened to. In Sanskrit, Old-Indian language, this state is called Bhava, and in translation it means “being” or “existing”. The very gist or essence of our Being is that state. Shaktipat Diksha means the direct transfer of Bhava or the energy that manifests itself during musical performance both in us and in the listener at the same time. In some cultures, for example in India, this is called Initiation, which means direct transfer of spiritual, sublime energy to a particular person and space.
6. On many who listen to you, you have calming affects. How do you find inspiration and energy for it?
Yes, many who listened to us told us that we have soothing effects and that they feel very pleasant not only while we are performing and chanting, but also after our performance. This inspired us even more and gave us elan for all the steps we plan to make further. Each of us has his or her own source of inspiration and energy from which this peace has been brought. Since we are artistic Souls and each one of us carries something abstract inside, in some way it radiates from within, and therefore also reflects somehow to the ether (the external). Generally, the combination of our inner sources is what contributes to our music having such calming effects on many and the very freedom of our expression that is not stereotyped and conditioned.
7. What is the gist or essence of your creativity?
The essence of our creativity is permeated with love and heart toward everything. It gives us a certain freedom to merge with something that is very sublime, to fully feel and express ourselves, and therefore we are in the present moment, free from everyday conditioning.
Prayers of Heart
The title itself speaks of a sublime condition that each Being carries within itself, yet often does not know it or live it. We are moving towards that anyone who hears us and participates in music with us, succeeds in touching that center, that state, and live it as much as possible.
8. What are your plans for the future?
We have a lot of plans for the future. We are very diverse, inspiring and creative in this regard. We would like to perform all over the world at various festivals and cultural events, share pleasant and beautiful vibrations with people. We also plan to hold workshops of different character, mainly based on the theme of spiritual music.
9. How would your describe your group. What is it characterized and recognized by?
It’s very difficult to describe each one of us separately, but as a musical colorful whole yes. Our group has some special characteristic, charisma or the energy it radiates. Nonetheless, we are all natural, simple, and quite ordinary people who, in addition to this beautiful musical creativity, live a normal life. Again from another perspective, each of us has some unusualness in the nature of the expression, which makes us different, and many notice it. As a whole in the musical sense, we are one smooth, old wine that is essential and very unusual in its taste and in what it carries inside (laughter). One ingredient interesting in the substance that is very soluble, potent, pleasant but indestructible.
10. Since you have public performances and you had participated in some music festivals, are you planning a concert?
Yes, we participated in several festivals and we have regular musical public performances. Certainly, we would love to make a concert. There is a right moment for everything, and so is the case with our presentation of such character, to a little wider audience. Of course, we are thinking in this direction and we are looking forward to it with great joy.
Thank you, Shaktipat Diksha for such a nice cooperation. We wish you a handful of beautiful songs, albums and of course success on the music scene all over the world.
Thank you very much for your trust and your wonderful wishes.