‘Captivating’ performance at Ram Katha, Cambridge University
In a recent historic milestone, the Third Culture Collective performed a new choral piece, composed and conducted by Kavi Pau to open the Ram Katha at Cambridge University led by Hindu preacher Morari Bapu.
The nine-day Ram Katha held between 12th and 20th August 2023 was a grand recitation of the Hindu epic the Ramayana, narrating the tale of Prince Rama and Princess Sita and the many challenges they faced. This is believed to be the first time that a Hindu spiritual event has taken place on the premises of Cambridge University. The Gujarat-born Indian spiritual leader, Morari Bapu, is a renowned exponent of the Ramayana who has conducted Ram Kathas across the globe for more than 50 years.
For this event, Kavi Pau, artistic director of Third Culture Collective, was commissioned to compose a new choral piece, drawing inspiration from the opening Sanskrit verses of the Ramayana. The piece took centre stage on the first day of the nine-day event. Based on the well-known Ram mantra ‘Shree Raam Jaya Raam’, Kavi Pau’s composition seamlessly intertwines Indian folk melodies with sacred Sanskrit slokhas from the Ramayana itself.
The realm of choral singing and Western classical music remains largely unfamiliar to many individuals of Indian descent. The aim was to blend traditional Indian melodies with the choral sound so associated with Cambridge University. For this occasion, the choir of Third Culture Collective featured singers and alumni from the various choirs across Cambridge university, who were also coached in style and diction, enabling them to sing in Sanskrit, and use elements of Indian classical ornamentation.
The Ram Katha at Jesus College, Cambridge University was a resounding cultural celebration. Not only was it attended by esteemed figures including Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the UK, but it also garnered widespread media coverage, broadcasting live in 17 countries, and capturing the attention of international outlets, including the BBC. To perform in front of such a diverse and distinguished audience was humbling for the Third Culture Collective.
Asian Voice, a prominent publication, aptly recognized the significance of Third Culture Collective’s contribution to this grand event, underscoring the remarkable fusion of Western and Indian cultures. You can read their insightful article about us here.
