Journeys with Kabir: Prahlad Singh Tipanya in Concert

Prahlad Singh Tipanya performs at the Asia Society on Mar. 21, 2009.

NEW YORK, March 21, 2009 – Asia Society's day-long symposium Journeys with Kabir culminated with a musical performance inspired by the 15th-century Indian poet and mystic.

Renowned Indian folk singer Prahlad Singh Tipanya, who is increasingly recognized as a remarkable exponent of Kabir's music and meanings, took to the stage at Asia Society headquarters, expounding on some of Kabir’s best-known poetry and playing the tambura (a five-stringed plucked and strummed instrument originally from Rajasthan), and kartal (a percussion instrument played with the fingers of the left hand).

His younger son Vijay Tipanya accompanied him on vocals and played manjira (small cymbals), while his older son Ajay Tipanya played dholak (two-headed drum), and his brother Ambaram Tipanya played manjira, kartal, and occasionally harmonium. Devnarayan Sarolia accompanied on violin.

Tipanya represents a stream of creativity renowned in India for its introspection and commitment to acts of devotion, and in 2008 he received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi award for music.

The national tour of Journeys with Kabir is made possible in part by the generous support of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Soul of Asia is made possible by Harold and Ruth Newman.