2024 Thursday evening concert
Jyotsna Srikanth & band
Jyotsna Srikanth’s sliding violin is a mainstay of Europe’s global music circuit. Aged five she heard Carnatic violin for the first time, and tried to imitate the instrument’s action by scraping together two brooms from the kitchen cupboard (“my mother thought I’d gone mad, but I was desperate to hear that sound again...”).
She studied under her mother, Rathna Srikanth, and then took advanced instruction from RR Keshavamurthy, the legendary seven string violinist of Karnataka. She also trained in Western classical music at the Bangalore School of Music. Alongside her demanding musical schedule she also trained as a medical doctor, eventually receiving a postgraduate degree in Pathology.
But music’s allure proved too much, and she chose to pursue it full-time after moving to London with her husband in 2004. She went on to accompany a wide range of top Carnatic musicians as well as teaching and writing for ballet. Aside from this she has recorded for over 200 films and worked in a vast array of fusion settings, including with the Bollywood Brass Band, flamenco-jazz guitarist Eduardo Niebla, and her Indo-Swedish Nordic Raga group.
2024 Friday Evening Concert
Bhavini Vyas
When Bhavini Vyas sings, she takes the listener on a profound journey to the core of their being, quite literally channeling her voice into the collective evolution of humanity. The product of a culturally rich family hailing from the northern suburbs of London with a spiritual yet Western upbringing, today Bhavini is committed to giving the world an experience of mantra, meditation, and yogic philosophy through her music and spiritual alchemy.
An avid supporter of maintaining cultural diversity and with a profound understanding of global music, Bhavini has been responsible for curating artistic performances at festivals and events around the world. Exposed to high-caliber musicians from the beginning of her musical journey, Bhavini spent her younger years collaborating with various producers and musicians and featuring on their projects, inadvertently developing an international repertoire. Influenced by Hip-hop, soul, brit-pop, and devotional music, she works closely with musicians, DJ collectives, and producers to devise unique musical arrangements.
Bhavini is an accomplished and highly trained vocalist with an ability to connect to individuals in intimate settings as well as crowds of thousands. She has an inherent understanding of the ancient Vedic philosophy behind how music can have a very real and transformative effect on the body and mind, and Bhavini is known for the emotional journey she takes her listeners on.
While she continues to present music performances in English, Sanskrit, and other Indian languages, Bhavini has been expanding her musical expression. Having spent the last few years exploring various genres, Bhavini launched a highly anticipated soul and contemporary album 'The Lighthouse' at the Truman Brewery in London, and ’New Moon’ in 2021. Bhavini now frequently performs online for audiences of over 1000 people at festivals and private events.
Renu Gidoomal & band
A Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Guitarist, Recording Artist and Producer. Since 1985 this female artist has performed over 1,000 International Concerts in over 25 countries including Aruba, Canada, the Czech Republic, Gibraltar, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Spain, St Maarten, Thailand, UAE, UK and USA. She is one of the few female Indie label artists in the UK and has 8 solo albums to her credit. She sings in a variety of languages and promotes Unity in Diversity through her music.
Shohini Banerjee
Shohini Banerjee has been practicing Bharatnatyam dance for about 20 years, formerly under Guru Rasmita Amin and currently under Guru Lakshmi Swaminathan. She has completed her Arangetram (solo debut performance) and continues to teach and perform along the east coast in the US. In addition to Bharatnatyam, Shohini has trained in Kathak, Bollywood, Bhangra, and folk dance styles. She is currently a bioengineering PhD student at the University of Maryland. She is thrilled to join the World Yoga Festival this year!
2024 Saturday Evening Concert
Radhika Das & friends
In 2007 Radhika Das first discovered the practice of Bhakti Yoga, the path of love and devotion. He decided to dedicate more time to absorb himself in the ancient practice of Kirtan and discovered the beauty of mantra. Radhika is committed to helping people, whether it be from an existing yoga or spiritual background or to those with limited or no exposure to the practices. His aim is to help you through accessible and relevant chants to feel more fulfilled, connected and joyful in the mind, body and soul. He has shared in a variety of spaces including major Yoga festivals: Wanderlust, World Yoga Festival and The British Museum.
"Every human being has a beautiful light within that is just waiting to shine, but our false ego can often block us from unlocking our full potential. As a Bhakti practitioner, I want to serve you to dive deep and explore, unleashing your true vibrancy and joy." Radhika Das also helps to run ‘Kirtan London’, a project which aims to make sacred mantra music accessible to a wider audience, including schools, mental health institutions and outdoor events.
2024 Sunday Evening Concert
Atmarpit Shraddhaji - Bhakti
Come and experience an inner trance in the grand finale of World Yoga Festival 2024 with Atmarpit Shraddhaji, Head of SRMDYoga. We are inviting you to a special 'Glow in the Dark Tabla Movement Meditation' and a beautiful divine kirtan to melt - allowing the heart to sing and the being to dissolve.
Rach Cox
Rach Cox has a unique zest for life and loving sense of humour. Her connection with holistic healing came from her mum, who was a homeopath, iridologist, massage therapist, reflexologist and a yogi. Rach has practiced martial arts and meditation for over 30 years, travelling regularly to Asia in order to learn more about the ancient fighting and healing arts she utterly adores. She became a yoga teacher in 2010 and has been offering dance and yoga workshops worldwide ever since. Dancing since the age of 3, she taught Street Jazz and Hip Hop dance in Oxford and London for decades. Rach had a successful legal career in the city of London, which she left to pursue a more spiritual path. Rach travels back to The Mother Land: India regularly for further learning, panchakarma and deep self practice. She spends time in the jungle, with tribe and leading gurus, to enhance her knowledge and practice.
