Nirmal Chandraratna, a New York City based Kirtan artist and composer with a passion for nurturing connection to spirit, to community, and to self through music will perform during Sunday service at First Parish on October 23. Collaborating with Rip Jackson, music director, textures of the human voice, cello and percussion will be layered, weaving a tapestry of music and mantra. All are invited to connect with their intentions, both for themselves and for the world, and to let those intentions take flight using the transformative power of sound. Nirmal’s appearance is part of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, that FPLex joins in celebrating with the Indian community.
Adding to the Diwali celebration is Jayshree Bala Rajamani, a practitioner of Bharathanatyam for over 45 years. Bharathanatyam is a centuries old dance form that originates from the Hindu Temples of Southern India. Jayshree has received numerous awards, the most recent being a special Citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives for her 25 years of teaching this art form. In 2013 she was a finalist for Woman of The Year Award for Excellence in Dance. In 2021 LexSeeHer honored her with a Banner for her community service through dance.