We bow to the only Lord of all worlds, Vishnu who is of peaceful appearance, reclining on the serpent, with a lotus from the navel, Lord of gods, the basis of the universe, vast like the sky, coloured as the cloud, auspicious-limbed, beloved of Lakshmi, lotus-eyed, capable of being reached through meditation by yogis.

Shāntā kāram bhujagashayanaṃ padmanābham suresham
vishvādhāram gaganasadrsham meghavarna shubhāngam
lakshmīkāntam kamalanayanam yogibhir dhyānagamyam
vande vishum bhavabhayaharam sarvalokaikanātham

Producer, Vocalist: Kavi Pau
Strings: Simon Purdy, Anna Semple, Wallis Power, Misha Mullov-Abbado
Percussion: Kuljit Bhamra
Choir: Natasha Agarwal, Shimona Rose Thevathasan, Eleanor Cramer, Clover Willis, Shivani Rattan, Serena Shah, Amaya Pitharas, Anneka Shah, Robin Datta, Edan Umrigar, Jaison Jeyaventhan, Abbas Khan, Noel Li, Krishnan Ram-Prasad, John Holland-Avery, Alexander Boukikov
Videography & Editing: Richard Summers

Shanta Karam is a Sanskrit prayer (mantra) to Lord Vishnu, the protector and preserver of the universe in Hinduism.

We’ve arranged this traditional Indian melody for western choir, string orchestra, and a full suite of percussion instruments!

The structure is based on Benjamin Britten’s arrangement of the British National Anthem, and the string harmony is inspired by the music of Mahler, Wagner and Strauss.

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