prAna: Sustainable Clothing

Jai Uttal is a pioneer in the world music community. His eclectic east meets west sound has put his music at the forefront of the world fusion movement. Jai Uttal’s musical roots embrace a rich variety of cultures and traditions that span the globe and the centuries. From the hillbilly music of the Appalachian Mountains to the passionate strains of Bengali street singers, from the haunting rhythms and melodies of ancient India to contemporary electric rock sounds, Jai’s music distills the essence of diverse musical forms.

As Jai’s work increasingly became devoted to kirtan, in 2003 he began the first of several recordings focused on the practice of bhakti yoga (kirtan) for the Sounds True label, these have included Kirtan! The Art and Practice of Ecstatic Chant, Music for Yoga and Other Joys…, Loveland, Dial M for Mantra, and Pranayama, a collaboration with his wife, yoga teacher and bhakti dancer Nubia Teixeira. It’s this marriage and subsequent birth of son Ezra that fueled a creative rebirth for Jai that culminated in the 2008 recording Thunder Love, a sonic approximation of darkness giving way to dawn and finally opening up to love. Most recently Jai released Bhakti Bazaar, the follow-up to his very popular Music For Yoga and Other Joys.

Jai adds, “World music is music from everywhere. Music that creates bridges. Music that unites hearts and cultures. Music that brings peace.”

If you are in the Los Angeles area tomorrow be sure to catch him at The Rose Temple (details below)

A 3-Hour Ramayana Experience with Kirtan and Storytelling: Jai Uttal

When: 7pm Where: The Rose Temple 305 Rose Avenue,Venice, CA Price: $25 advance, $30 door
Details: Join Jai Uttal for a special evening on Friday, October 1st @ 7 PM at the Rose Temple in Venice Beach, CA. The event, “A 3-Hour Ramayana Experience with Jai Uttal” will feature chanting, stories and intimate details of the famous love between Sita and Ram. Share, sing, laugh, play, dance and learn from one of the world’s foremost scholars on the Ramayana and a Grammy-nominated musician and master Kirtan wallah to boot! Hosted by Yoga Doctors in collaboration with LMU Yoga Studies and Zat Baraka of The LA Kirtan Collective, this event featuring Jai Uttal is part of the “Yoga and the Healing Sciences” Yoga Teacher Training course at Loyola Marymount University led by Dr. Eden Goldman and Terra Gold. It is one of only a few events in Eden and Terra’s Yoga Alliance approved course that will be open to the public at large. Food will be available from Santa Monica’s favorite raw restaurant, RAWvolution and costumes from last year’s Boxtales Theater production of the Ramayana in Santa Barbara will be on loan from the troupe and their brilliant costume designer, Kira Jones. Come dressed up in your favorite Indian garbs and join the party!