Sounds of serenity
NANDINI NAIR
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Lama Tashi talks about the significance of his album `Tibetan Master Chants.'
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The album `Tibetan Master Chants' transforms a religious practice into music. Sa Re Ga Ma HMV recently released the album sung by Lama Tashi. It was nominated in the category of Best Traditional World Music at this year's Grammy Awards.
Lama Tashi explains that the album is divided into three parts. The first is the homage to a specific deity. The second is the Mantra itself. And lastly there are dedications. All are in Sanskrit. Leaning forward he explains a mantra. Its translation is, `Jewel in the lotus,' but its significance is, `To perfect oneself you need to balance wisdom and compassion. Wisdom without compassion is harmful, compassion without wisdom is dumb.'
While mantras are abbreviated teachings, chanting is essential to Buddhism. "The sound itself pacifies. The vibrations bring the mind to rest and stabilises it. It reduces stress," he says.
The music route
He explains how his music reached the West. Having befriended Jonathan Goldman, a musician and authority on "sound healing" he agreed to record the chants. "It was just playing with Goldman's instruments, more than recording an album," he recounts. One copy was sent to the Grammy and it got nominated. He has performed with Patti Smith and at Carnegie Hall with the likes of Sheryl Crow and Michael Stipe, the lead of R.E.M. But don't such fusions risk diluting his music? He replies gravely, "The holy will stay holy, wherever you put it," says Lama Tashi, who is Principal of the Central Institute of Himalayan Cultural Studies in Dahung.
The album costs Rs.295 and comes with a detailed booklet.
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