It's the perfect environment for prayer. Chanting in Greek... is like a beautiful opera, but way better.
I love singing devotional songs, in whatever language.
For four years, my mum allowed only church music in the house.
Me, the bard out of work, the Lord has applied to His service. In the very beginning, He gave me the order to sing His praises night and day. The Master summoned the minstrel to His True Court. He clothed me with the robe of His true honour and eulogy. Since then, the True Name had become my ambrosial food.
I find most 'sacred music' pretty dismal.
I used to sing at mata ki chowkis and other religious events, and people loved me.
My family celebrates both the navratras that come twice in a year. We also refrain from eating meat. I just enjoy that people come home, savour the variety of snacks and participate in our puja during this time.
[Our] plan is to follow the example of the prophets and the ancient fathers of the church, and to compose psalms...so that the Word of God may be among the people also in the form of music.
When people ask me what I call myself, I am not going to say 'Christian rapper,' because what they think of when they hear Christian rap is something very different from what I do.
I'm a Christian, but I'm just an artist. I'm a musician.
When the kirtan is harmonious with so many people, it’s a tumultuous beautiful sound. We can’t hear just one voice during the chorus; or rather we do hear one voice. But that one voice is actually the sound of everyone’s voice in harmony. That’s our offering to God. And why is it so pleasing to the Lord? Because we are all cooperating for a higher purpose. We are all united for the pleasure of the center, for the pleasure of Krishna, in spite of all our differences.
I'm interested in Qawwali and the blues.
These three elements are called Qawwali, and they've got to be there.
Christians, just like anybody else, want to have an impact on their lives. And if you can find music that helps you have an impact on your family, on your faith, on yourself, then that's the kind of music you want to listen to.
Thyagaraja was not a professional musician. He did not sing for situations. He was music himself.
I really like worship music. It settles my soul. Gets me back on track. The lyrics are almost like a prayer, so it's my go-to.
As responsible artists, it's our duty to let the youth know the importance of devotional music.
I knew that I wanted to sing right from the age of four, and till I was 16, I only sang at Mata ki Chowkis.
I come from the performance world, but the idea of a worship song is different. It's useful music.
The music that I have learned and want to give is like worshipping God. It's absolutely like a prayer.
...hymns have been a powerful instrument of God to draw people closer to His Word and the saving riches therein.
Arabic is very twisting, very beautiful. The call to prayer is quite haunting; it almost makes you a believer on the spot.
Since I was two years old, all I knew was gospel music. That music became such a part of my life it was as natural as dancing. A way to escape from the problems. And my way of release.
The human voice deployed to recite the Vedas and later aid the temple dancers was paramount before any instruments emerged.
When you use music to worship you are not attempting to entertain.
