EngAGE Stories

Tune in to Experience Talks, our weekly “Radio Magazine for the Experienced Listener,” on Sundays at 5:00 PM PT on KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles, 98.7 FM Santa Barbara, 99.5 China Lake, 93.7 N. San Diego, streaming live online, and now syndicated on up to 100 Pacifica Network stations! Experience Talks is produced by the non-profit EngAGE, Inc.

SUNDAY 8/6 @ 5 PM PDT
GIRISH
with host DR. CONNIE CORLEY

GIRISH is an eclectic artist with roots in jazz, world, and sacred music. His musical talents find expression in a wide array of instruments – including tablas, world percussion, guitar, harmonium, and voice.

While musical at an early age, his first experience of music as sacred art came in college, playing with jazz bands. “During improvisational sessions,” he recalls, “there were these unexplainable moments of synchronicity and intuition that felt like magic.”

These moments came just as Girish was feeling pulled toward a sacred life. A college philosophy class inspired him to explore spirituality through Kundalini yoga, meditation, and the study of Eastern scriptures. By the time of his college graduation, Girish was so deep into these practices that he decided to move into an ashram in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Thus began an unexpected journey-a seeming detour that inadvertently nourished his musical artistry.

In the ashram he discovered the tabla, a percussive instrument from India, and this spiritual connection to music led him to Northern California to study at the Ali Akbar School of Music in Marin County, California. It was in northern California that Girish met other musicians at the forefront of the chant music explosion in this country. Krishna Das was just gaining popularity at that time and Girish played with him regularly. In this context, Girish was quickly introduced to a wider world of music for yoga. Soon he was accompanying many of the names in the yoga music genre.

Since 2000, Girish’s work as a session player has aligned him with the likes of producers Glen Ballard (Dave Matthews Band, Alani Morrisette) and Michael Brook (Nusrat Fatah Ali Khan, Youssou N’Dour) as well as the creative team at Lucas Art. His talents are featured on some of the most popular recordings in the world music/chant music field today. Visit his website to learn more.

On the show, Connie will talk with Girish about his book,  Music and Mantras — an interactive toolkit including more than ninety minutes of companion audio material for personal transformation — and his upcoming engagement with live music and workshops at Bhaktifest, September 6 – 11.

Connie will also talk briefly with Randy Johnson about the Pasadena Playhouse production of the show he created and directed entitled, Shout Sister Shout! The show, written by Cheryl West, will be at the theater through August 20th. Ticket information here.