DR. PRASANNA

CELEBRATING

World

Music Day with Indie Devotional Music

By Shivali Bhammer

Global Devotional Music Sensation

SHIVALI BHAMMER is a successful singer and songwriter that has signifi cantly made her place in the industry by providing songs that later hit number 1 on iTunes and music chartbusters. Apart from being an Indie Devotional Music Sensation, she is also an spiritual Urban Yogi. She was born and brought up in London, and is an offspring of Indian parents, namely, Rashmi and Gopal Bhammer.

Reminiscing the traditional devotional music through a melodious modern voice has created audiences of all ages, millennials to oldaged fans, tune into Shivali’s playlist. Shivali was the youngest and only artist to be signed by the Sony BMG group for Bhajans and has released two devotional albums, The Bhajan Project and Urban Temple.

Shivali was nominated for 2 Global Indian Music Awards at the age of 23 and was listed as the Top 25 under 25 South Asian Artists in England. She has performed globally for both corporate, public and private concerts. Shivali also holds a diploma in acting, Kathak and ballet. Shivali is not only a talented musician, but she is also a spiritual urban yogi and a motivational speaker. Born in London, after graduating in Economics & Philosophy, she left her job at an investment bank to pursue her artistic passions. After holding the title of the youngest devotional singer at the age of 22, she is now setting the stage to be one of the youngest female Indian Motivational Speakers.

Here we are sharing Shivali Bhammer’s picks from her top bhajans on World Music Day that she feels one should reminisce about in times like today, because devotional music provides the soul a sense of calm and happiness. Getting devotional!

My top three from my fi rst album, The Bhajan Project, are: Jag Mein Sundar Hain do Naam, the Hanuman Chalisa and the Gayatri Mantra.

Jag Mein Sundar Hain Do Naam was beautifully sung by Anup Jalota Ji and he very graciously gave us the rights to reproduce it, it was nominated for best debut song at the Global Indian Music Awards however that isn’t really why it’s special. There is a very universal message to this bhajan, which is that despite the many names we have for God, or perhaps we don’t even believe in God but believe more in consciousness/ prana, the names are equally beautiful. When I listen to this bhajan, I remind myself that I come from a philosophy that doesn’t seek to divide but through its many manifestations of deities, it has illustrated that Godliness can be found within everything.

When I was a child my great-grandmother (Mota Ba) would insist that we recite the Hanuman Chalisa every time we were in the car and my father has always told me that the Hanuman Chalisa has protected him – and I have seen that. In such turbulent times we really need to tap into our inner strength, Hanuman is the ultimate friend and devotee. My rendition of the Hanuman Chalisa is pretty fast and upbeat because it is designed for you to be able to listen to it anytime anywhere, even if you’re running, or to help your kids learn it since it is rather catchy.

The Gayatri Mantra was written by Sage Vishvamitra. The Sage was born as King Kaushik but upon seeing Sage Vasistha’s power, he gave up his kingdom and decided he too could be a Brahmarishi. However since he was not born into that role, it wasn’t considered possible. Through Vishvamatra’s sheer persistence, effort and self-belief, he fi nally achieved his goal and was given the name Vishvamitra (friend to all) by Saraswati Ji. The Gayatri Mantragives us the power to acknowledge our own vital energy. It will help the listener feel calm and diffuse any negative thought patterns you may have. When you listen to the Gaytri Mantra try and identify with the sun and infi nite light.

Some bonus favourites! On my second album, Urban Temple; my top three are Shivoham, Aum Namah Bhagavate Vasudevaya, and Vaishnava Janato. Shivoham will remind you to be in a state of meditation and poise like Lord Shiva. The Vishnu mantra will enable you to surrender and tap into devotional love, and Vaishnava Janato will remind you of your higher ideals and morals. Humanity needs all of us to pull together. There is no one who is above us, nor beneath us. You may feel differences with others due to upbringing, culture, religion, etc. but these are very superfi cial.

Vaishnava Janato reminds us to be compassionate towards everyone. The beauty of bhajans is that they are a source and force of positivity. They speak only of good things, and when you listen to that, even if you are not registering it, it will seep into your subconscious and fi ll you with love.

Links to her songs: Jag Mein Sundar Hai Do Naam - Shivali https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=wyIo3lGLWz0&feature=youtu.be Gayatri Mantra - Shivali https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=wNXmIrffLwA

SUJAY RAO MANDAVILLI

With immense intelligence and attained knowledge, he made major contributions to Anthropological Economics, the sociology of science, theories of socio-cultural change, theories of socio-cultural change, identity theories, and more. Furthermore, Mandavilli has contributed with signifi cant innovations and breakthroughs on important topics like the Aryan problem, the Indo-European question, the identity of the Harappans, the Indus Script, the Origin of Brahmi, Twenty-fi rst century historiography, theories of socio-cultural change, language dynamics, ethnography, anthropological economicsand Neo-centrism.

According to Mandavilli, scientifi c and intellectual

SUJAY RAO MANDAVILLI, a prominent researcher in the fi elds of Anthropology and Social Sciences, is an eminent personality who has contributed signifi cantly in the formerly mentioned fi elds. At present, Mandavilli is the Founder-Director of the Institute for the Study of the Globalisation of Science (ISGOS). In his initial career course, he pursued IT followed by following his heartfelt path of Anthropology. Mandavilli completed his Master’s in Anthropology from the renowned Indira Gandhi National Open University located in the capital of India, New Delhi.

According to Mandavilli, scientifi c and intellectual revolutions are long overdue in India & other countries decades after the end of colonialism

revolutions are long overdue in India & other countries decades after the end of colonialism. To eliminate this particular issue, he has proposed unique approaches in order to achieve the objective of revolutionizing India. In his 20 years of career till now, he has produced over 40 studies in various publications.

A few of Mandavilli’s most noteworthy research publications include ‘Introducing Anthropological Economics: The quest for an Anthropological basis for Economic theory, growth models and policy development for wealth and human welfare’, ‘On the origin and spread of languages: Propositioning Twenty-fi rst-century axioms on the evolution and spread of languages with concomitant views on language dynamics’, ‘Towards a comprehensive compendium of factors impacting language dynamics in globalized scenarios: Presenting principles, paradigms and frameworks for use in the emerging science of language dynamics’, and ‘Historiography by Objectives: A new approach for the study of history within the framework of the proposed Twenty-First Century School of Historiography.

Apart from publishing such informative and well-structured papers, he is also a valued member of various institutions; Lifetime Member of Indian Science Congress Association (L28080), Lifetime Member Linguistic Association of India (LM-027/2015), Affi liate at ARC Centre of Excellence on the Dynamics Of Language, Australian Research Council, Lifetime Member at Dravidian Linguistic Association (1211/2015), Member of Society for Applied Anthropology (SfAA), Member at European Association of Social Anthropologists, Lifetime Member at India Innovators Association, Member at TRIZ Innovation India, Honorary Member at Quarterly Franklin Membership (Membership ID#495480), and a Lifetime member at National Population Control Mission of India.

Furthermore, Mandavilli’s associations include being a reviewer at Current Science, Member of the Editorial Board at Macrothink Institute, Nominee for Asia’s who’s who Men and Women of Achievement, Mentor at Science India, Reviewer at Journal of the Indian Anthropological Society, Empaneled as a reviewer at Pragati journal of Indian Economy, and a reviewer at Arthasastra Indian Journal of Economics and research.

There is no doubt that the sky’s the limit for the very promising contributor, Sujay Rao Mandavilli as he is set to achieve much more and impart his great knowledge to the world through contributing eloquently in his studies and research.