Aradhna
Encyclopedia
Aradhna is a band that fuses traditional Indian devotional music (bhajans) with Christ-centered themes, composed primarily in the Hindi
language, in addition to Bihari
, Bhojpuri and Braj Basha languages. The band members include Chris Hale (lead vocals, sitar), Peter Hicks (acoustic guitar, sitar), Fiona Hicks (Hindustani violin) and Travis McAfee (bass).
singers and the style of Indian devotion known as 'bhakti
', expressing faith in 'Yeshu Krist' (Jesus Christ).
Hale assumes primarily songwriting duties due to his fluency in Hindi. In addition to Hale's compositions, the band features songs composed by Peter John, an Indian musician from New Delhi whose Christ-centered bhajans caught Hale's attention. The band involves several Indian musicians in their performances and recordings as well.
that Olio played and delving deeper into Northern Indian classical music (Hindustani music) that Hale was learning under the discipleship of Partho Chatterjee (sitar
). Hicks, who played electric guitar, also was learning sarod under the discipleship of Calcutta's Partho Sarothy. Travis McAfee added electric bass to this duo in the recording of their debut album, bringing his more traditional western sensibilities and experience to the group. Five years after the formation of the band, Fiona Hicks (married to Peter) added Hindustani violin, having studied Northern Indian classical music under Kala Ramnath
.
Performing across the US from LA to NY, Aradhna has found audiences on University campuses as guest artists, headlining world stages at summer music festivals in the US and Europe. They've also found more religious venues to be quite welcoming with performances in yoga studios, churches like St Martin's
as well as in Hindu and Buddhist temples and Sikh Gurdwaras alike.
Reviews have compared Hicks's vocals to Peter Gabriel
's,; and with talented guest artists like Jim Fiest, on both recordings and tours.
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
language, in addition to Bihari
Bihari people
The Biharis are an ethnic group originating from the present state of Bihar with a history going back three millennia...
, Bhojpuri and Braj Basha languages. The band members include Chris Hale (lead vocals, sitar), Peter Hicks (acoustic guitar, sitar), Fiona Hicks (Hindustani violin) and Travis McAfee (bass).
History
Aradhna was created in 2000 when Chris Hale and Peter Hicks who had been touring India with their band Olio returned to the US to record Aradhna's debut album 'Deep Jale' (Light the Lamp). The name Aradhna is from Hindi, meaning 'Adoration'. The band-members were interested in creating an authentic sound for Indian Christ-centered worship which had so far relied heavily on Western hymns and contemporary worship. To make this possible the band turned to India's bhajanBhajan
A Bhajan is any type of Indian devotional song. It has no fixed form: it may be as simple as a mantra or kirtan or as sophisticated as the dhrupad or kriti with music based on classical ragas and talas. It is normally lyrical, expressing love for the Divine...
singers and the style of Indian devotion known as 'bhakti
Bhakti
In Hinduism Bhakti is religious devotion in the form of active involvement of a devotee in worship of the divine.Within monotheistic Hinduism, it is the love felt by the worshipper towards the personal God, a concept expressed in Hindu theology as Svayam Bhagavan.Bhakti can be used of either...
', expressing faith in 'Yeshu Krist' (Jesus Christ).
Hale assumes primarily songwriting duties due to his fluency in Hindi. In addition to Hale's compositions, the band features songs composed by Peter John, an Indian musician from New Delhi whose Christ-centered bhajans caught Hale's attention. The band involves several Indian musicians in their performances and recordings as well.
Musical style
Aradhna has evolved in its musical style primarily from the fusion musicFusion Music
Fusion Music is a sub genre of Reggaeton. Calle 13 helped introduce this genre, and are the most famous artists to sing it. It's also known as Alternative Reggaeton. Danny Fornaris is the most famous producer in this sub-genre, known as its Luny Tunes...
that Olio played and delving deeper into Northern Indian classical music (Hindustani music) that Hale was learning under the discipleship of Partho Chatterjee (sitar
Sitar
The 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
). Hicks, who played electric guitar, also was learning sarod under the discipleship of Calcutta's Partho Sarothy. Travis McAfee added electric bass to this duo in the recording of their debut album, bringing his more traditional western sensibilities and experience to the group. Five years after the formation of the band, Fiona Hicks (married to Peter) added Hindustani violin, having studied Northern Indian classical music under Kala Ramnath
Kala Ramnath
Kala Ramnath , is an Indian violinist. She belongs to the Mewati gharana. She was awarded the Jasraj award in 1999.-Early life:...
.
Critical Acclaim
For a band that has ventured into uncharted territory, the critical acclaim in North America, the UK and India has been favorable.Performing across the US from LA to NY, Aradhna has found audiences on University campuses as guest artists, headlining world stages at summer music festivals in the US and Europe. They've also found more religious venues to be quite welcoming with performances in yoga studios, churches like St Martin's
St Martin in the Bull Ring
The church of St Martin in the Bull Ring in Birmingham 5, England is a parish church in the Church of England.-Background:It is the original parish church of Birmingham. It stands between the Bull Ring shopping centre and the markets. The church is a Grade II* listed building. The current Rector...
as well as in Hindu and Buddhist temples and Sikh Gurdwaras alike.
Reviews have compared Hicks's vocals to Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
's,; and with talented guest artists like Jim Fiest, on both recordings and tours.
Discography
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| Deep Jale | 2000 |
| Marga Darshan | 2002 |
| Satsang | 2004 |
| Amrit Vani | 2007 |