December 2, 2023
Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji plays healing ragas at Carnegie Hall By T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman December 5, 2023 New York City: His Holiness Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji of Avadhoota Datta Peetham of Mysore, India, presented “Atma Shanti Raga Sagara,” a unique meditation and healing concert, to support 9/11 victims and their families, at Carnegie Hall, on December 2, 2023. Mesmerized attendees of the concert, who traveled from different parts of the country and around the globe, cheered Sri Swamiji during the entire concert as he played healing ragas on his synthesizer. He was joined by internationally renowned violin maestro, Padma Bhushan Dr. L. Subramaniam, who was the guest artist at the concert. Other artists from Sri Swamiji’s celestial troupe included Jaitra Varanasi (Violin), Shankar Ramesh (Mridangam), Tanmoy Bose (Tabla), Mani Narasimhan (Keyboard), and Chandan Kumar (Flute). Prior to the concert, Sri Swamiji told reporters at a press conference that the concert was dedicated to benefit 9/11 victims. The special healing ragas played during the concert along with the sounds they produce carry positive vibrations that can soothe the nerves of those present and potentially offer healing from various ailments. Additionally, individuals who faced untimely deaths, such as victims of 9/11 and the COVID pandemic, may find solace and attain eternal peace through this musical experience. As such, during the concert, Sri Swamiji instructed attendees to relax and even sleep while listening to special ragas, including Pranavaswarupam-Rushyaketupriya; Maayaroopa-Kaashyapi; Ishapateesha-Mohana; Oogavammaa-Poornapanchamam; Shambho Saamba- Hemavathi; Dancing Tune-Sankaraabharanam; and Mangalam-Saama to achieve maximum benefits. These chosen ragas were presented by Sri Swamiji with the aim of healing conditions such as cervical spondylosis, surgical thyroid disease, laryngeal disorders, hyperacidity, irritable bowel syndrome, sciatica, neuropathy pains, high blood pressure, and insomnia. Consul (Head of Chancery), Consulate General of India in New York, Suman Singh, who officially represented the Consulate at the concert told News India Times, “Attending Atma Shanti Raga Sagara has been deeply a soulful and peaceful experience. The integration of the ancient form of healing music technique into contemporary medical practices has the potential to work wonders by harnessing profound healing capabilities. Swamiji is majestic – an epitome to benefit all of humanity.” Explaining the meaning of Atma Shanti Raga Sagara, Dr. Krishna Gurram said, “Atma means soul, Shanti means peace, and Raga Sagara – Ocean of Music. This concert showers blessings for the peace of the departed souls and gives solace to the survivors and family members. It also helps our soul get the peace we need in the complex world of emotions that we live in.” The proceeds from the concert were donated to communities impacted by 9/11. Checks were presented to Brendan Piper of Wounded Warriors, Nancy Carbone of Friends of Firefighters, Danielle Gustafson of EMS-FDNY Help Fund, and Ellen Greeley of NYC Veterans Administration. During his speech, Piper while commending Sri Swamiji’s music expressed his gratitude for providing financial assistance to his organization. Thanking Sri Swamiji and terming her concert experience as “wonderful,” Carbone said, “Friends of firefighters was immediately [started] following the 9/11 attacks in 2001, and 22 years later we are seeing more firefighters and their families than ever before.” “This year especially we have a 200 per cent increase in firefighters asking for help for their families and themselves. This also includes our EMS who we all saw working so diligently during COVID… so thank you so much for this gift. This is something that I’ll always remember,” Carbone said while expressing her happiness. Noting that she was delighted to have the “extraordinary experience” at Carnegie Hall, Gustafson said the “EMS-FDNY Help Fund provides a safety net to the 4567 EMTs and paramedics.” “They are the front line of medical care providers across New York City’s five boroughs. We call them New York City’s street doctors,” added Gustafson. “These EMTs and paramedics support all of us. Let’s support them in their time of greatest need. Thank you so much for your interest and for your support of our fund.” The concert was organized by Yoga Sangeeta, an organization established by Sri Swamiji in 2009 to help promote meditation and healing music. President of Yoga Sangeeta, Srinivas Chundu, honored all participating artists with bouquets. Also, Chairman of Datta Yoga Center (DYC) USA, Ramana Laird, and Board Member of DYC USA, Kali Ray presented a special crystal to Sri Swamiji at the concert, where CEO of Elmhurst Hospital in New York City, Helen Arteaga, who had significantly supported the Atma Shanti Raga Sagara initiative, welcomed Sri Swamiji.
