About the Artist
Blending East Indian sacred chants with world instruments in rhythm and sound, Ragani began her participation in kirtan and Indian devotional music in the late 1970’s. At the age of eight, Ragani met the legendary yoga master, Sri Swami Rama, who initiated and personally trained her in the Himalayan Tradition of yoga sciences, meditation, and eastern music. Traveling with him to India and the Far East, Ragani has led kirtan in India, Malaysia, Singapore, Curacao, and the U.S. for the past twenty years. She further studied classical Indian vocals with Laxmi Narayan Tiwari from Kanpur, India. As the featured model for the award-winning book, Yoga: Mastering the Basics, and its two accompanying videos, Ragani’s commitment to the yoga tradition runs deep. In 2001, she co-founded Milwaukee’s premier and ongoing Kirtan with Ragani event, which draws hundreds of participants of diverse backgrounds. As seen on FOX and NBC affiliates, Ragani’s kirtan will be featured in the nation’s first kirtan documentary movie, scheduled for release in January 2005. Her debut kirtan CD, entitled Best of Both Worlds, was released in spring 2003, and featured Michael Kashou, the fretless bass artist from Garbage’s platinum debut CD. Early in its production, Best of Both Worlds, received praise for its rock solid production and sound quality, and it caught the attention of Yoga International’s Contributing Editor, Linda Johnsen, who called this CD a "winning ticket" and "the soundtrack for your spiritual life," and reported that Best of Both Worlds delivered uniformly excellent back up musicians and overall mix. This CD was released as a tribute to Sri Swami Rama, who left this world in 1996. Proceeds from CD sales will benefit the charitable hospital in the foothills of northern India and nonprofit organizations established by Swami Rama.
Product Description
A classic kirtan (yoga chant) music CD, featuring world instruments in rhythm and sound and a large chorus from Milwaukee's ongoing Kirtan with Ragani event. Based upon the sacred kirtan (yoga chant) music of India, this CD was released as a tribute to Sri Swami Rama of the Himalayas. Proceeds from CD sales will support the charitable hospital in the foothills of northern India and nonprofit organizations established by Swami Rama.
Editorial Reviews
Adam Skolnick, LA YOGA Magazine, March/April 2004
"...shrouded in the mystery one may expect from a Himalayan yogi’s devotee... [this] record remains true to tradition..."
Music Design, May/June 2003
"There's pure joy being poured into the kirtans... You can’t help but want to move with the music."
White Swan Music, August 2003
"... A delicious blend of traditional sacred mantras, gorgeous melodies, and rich world instrumentation... A rock solid yoga chant album."
Track Listings
1. Akhanda Prayer
2. Ganapati
3. Om Mata
4. Shiva Hara
5. Sita Ram
6. Rama Rama |
