Chinmaya Dunster was born in England in the 1950s and it was through his world travels into Afghanistan and India as a guitarist that led him to eventually discover the abundant density of the sacred stringed instrument known a the sarod. The sarod is a 19-stringed North Indian creation that could be compared in the West to a guitar or banjo, but with Shakti. Land of the Buddhas is Chinmaya’s latest release and it is an excellent piece of work that invokes the inner beauty of more than simply the instrument, as well as embracing the sacred nature of the ragas he performs with perfection.
With every note, Chinmaya reveals a profound respect for the devotional alchemy of the music he has composed based on ancient scales. “Rag Shivranjani” is a romantic five-note minor scale that is an original composition based on improvisation and intuitive choices. “Gir Forest” delivers a synergy between sarod and a Manipuri influenced bamboo flute performed brilliantly by Bikram Singh.
The pieces on this release are performed with what Chinmaya calls the Celtic Ragas Band which consists of tablas, flutes and additional stringed instruments. The results are gorgeous. I have not been able to stop listening to the beautiful phrases and well-arranged instrumentals found on this collectionof songs that are saturated with compassion, kindness and spirit.
The enduring balance of the musical texture of each of the instruments and the melodic depth of the ragas will invoke sublime harmony and the integration of the inner and material nature of the world. I highly recommend this album to any fan of sacred instrumental music that moves effortlessly through the body. This is the sort of album that can be used for anything from personal enjoyment, meditation, healing environments or yoga classes.
LA Yoga Magazine
