Raga and Chakra Music

The Healing Sound (Raga & Chakra)

A Symphony of Soul & Serenity

Welcome to a unique auditory experience with The Healing Sound (Raga & Chakra), an ensemble envisioned and led by Aman Shahi. This collective is profoundly dedicated to merging ancient Himalayan sound traditions with the evocative power of therapeutic music. The ensemble’s artistic expression revolves around the sacred resonance of singing bowls, timeless mantras, and deeply meditative ragas. Each composition and performance is meticulously crafted, designed to harmonize the body’s subtle energies (chakras) and guide the listener into a state of profound tranquility and spiritual awakening.

The music of Raaga & Chakra is built upon a rich heritage. Singing bowls, with their origins rooted in the mystical landscapes of Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan, have a history stretching back over 2,500 years. Traditionally utilized by Buddhist monks in sacred rituals and for deepening meditation, these instruments produce powerful vibrations that are known to promote healing, enhance mental focus, and foster spiritual awakening. The Healing Sound (Raga & Chakra) celebrates these ancient tools, bringing their therapeutic qualities and potential for mindfulness into a contemporary musical context for audiences worldwide to experience.

Meet the Master of Raga and Chakra

The Healing Sound (Raga & Chakra) represents a potent alchemy of tradition, spirituality, and exceptional musical artistry. The ensemble unites renowned artists whose collective synergy creates music that transcends conventional boundaries, masterfully blending the intricate structures of ancient ragas with the healing vibrations of singing bowls and other traditional instruments.

Aman Shahi

Singing Bowl Healer, Visionary Musician & Ensemble Leader

The guiding force behind Raaga & Chakra, Aman Shahi is a gifted Nepali musician, pioneering sound healer, insightful author (“Singing bowl sound healing: The Swoyambhu method of Aman Shahi”), and a dedicated entrepreneur specializing in the transformative art of singing bowl therapy. He is celebrated as innovating the “Swoyambhu Method” of singing bowl healing. With comprehensive training in Himalayan spiritual traditions and a solid grounding in modern sound science, Aman conducts engaging global workshops, retreats, and healing concerts. His profound expertise in vibrational healing, coupled with an intuitive and deep connection to sound frequencies, ensures that every performance by Raaga & Chakra is a genuinely transformative and spiritually uplifting experience. Aman Shahi is also noted for his ability to integrate the sublime sounds of singing bowls and gongs into broader fusion and new-age musical contexts. His recorded works are a testament to his dedication to sharing healing sounds.
Navaraj Gurung

Tabla Maestro & Rhythmic Innovator

Navaraj Gurung, a celebrated Tabla Maestro from Nepal, anchors Raaga & Chakra with his dynamic and intricate rhythms. He proudly carries forward the prestigious Poorab Gharana tradition, a lineage inherited from his uncle Ram Hari Gurung. Navaraj has not only mastered traditional forms but has also become a pivotal figure in Nepal’s fusion music scene, co-founding influential groups like Maha Yantra and the acclaimed classical fusion band TRIKAAL. His extensive career includes collaborations on over 24 albums, sharing stages and studios with legendary artists such as Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. Navaraj’s innovative spirit allows him to seamlessly bridge classical traditions with contemporary world music. Currently serving as Music Coordination Officer at Radio Nepal, he continues to be a significant influence in shaping Nepal’s musical landscape, alongside his international performances.
Santosh Bhakta Shrestha

Esraj Maestro & Soulful Melodist

The expressive and soulful melodies of the Esraj (or Dilruba) are masterfully brought to life in Raaga & Chakra by Santosh Bhakta Shrestha. With an extraordinary dedication spanning over 26 years to this captivating bowed instrument, Santosh is recognized as a special-class artist of Radio Nepal and a core member of prominent musical groups including Vajra and Trikaal. A frequent and lauded performer at the prestigious Jazzmandu festival, Santosh has lent his unique sound to over 1,500 Nepalese songs and has been instrumental in acclaimed albums like “Trikaal I, II, III” and “Himalayan Blues”. His performances are known for their deep emotional expression, drawing from his classical training. Santosh Bhakta Shrestha’s mastery skillfully blends traditional depth with a contemporary fusion sensibility, captivating audiences worldwide.

The Essence & Expressions of Raaga & Chakra's Music

The music of The Healing Sound (Raga & Chakra) is more than a performance; it’s an invitation to an inner sanctuary.

Musical Style & Philosophy
  • Therapeutic Intent: Each piece is thoughtfully composed and performed with the primary aim of promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and facilitating a meditative state.
  • Fusion of Traditions: The ensemble beautifully marries the ancient, spiritual sounds of the Himalayas—singing bowls, chants, and specific raga structures—with a contemporary musical understanding, creating something truly unique.
  • Focus on Harmony: Drawing from the principles of sound healing, the music aims to restore balance to the listener’s mind, body, and spirit, often referencing the energetic centers known as chakras.
  • Meditative Soundscapes: Listeners are often transported by the layered textures, hypnotic rhythms, and serene melodies, making the music ideal for meditation, mindfulness practices, or simply unwinding.
  • Improvisational Spirit: While rooted in traditional forms, the artists bring their individual mastery and improvisational skills, ensuring that each performance is a living, breathing expression of the moment.
Performances & Events

While a comprehensive list of past events for “Raaga & Chakra” as an ensemble is not specified, the nature of their music lends itself to a variety of settings. Drawing from Aman Shahi’s experience with “global workshops, retreats, and healing concerts”, and the ensemble’s focus on devotional and therapeutic sound journeys, performances by Raaga & Chakra are likely to include:

  • Healing Concerts & Sound Baths: Events specifically designed for deep relaxation and vibrational healing.
  • Spiritual & Cultural Gatherings: Performances at events celebrating spiritual traditions (such as Buddha Jayanti, as exemplified by a themed performance concept like “Buddham Saranam Gachhami”) and cultural festivals that honor traditional and fusion music.
  • Workshops & Retreats: Musical contributions to immersive experiences focused on well-being, meditation, and spiritual growth.
  • Devotional Music Offerings: Presentations of sacred mantras and meditative ragas in settings conducive to contemplation and inner connection.
Understanding Sound Healing:

While a dedicated discography for “Raaga & Chakra” as an ensemble is still evolving, the founder, Aman Shahi, has a significant body of recorded work that reflects the ethos of healing sound. His releases include:

  • Buddhayana (2003): A seminal album created with his guru and uncle, Shree Krishna Shahi, focusing on Tibetan Singing Bowl sounds designed for meditation.
  • Meditation Vibes (CD): Aman Shahi’s solo CD featuring diverse compositions played on singing bowls, incorporating Eastern classical ragas and collaborations with other instruments like the flute, aimed at facilitating meditation.
  • While the Ocean Sleeps (2013): A notable collaborative album featuring Aman Shahi on singing bowls, Shyan Kishore on bansuri flute, and Ralph Thomas. This work is celebrated for its fusion of meditative soundscapes.
  • Himalayan Singing Bowls (c. 2014-2018): An album by Aman Shahi and Shyan Kishor that further explores the synergistic sounds of singing bowls and bansuri flute, featuring tracks such as “While The Ocean Sleeps” and “Spring Has Come.”

 

In addition to Aman Shahi’s releases, his fellow ensemble members, Navaraj Gurung and Santosh Bhakta Shrestha, have extensive recording careers, contributing to numerous albums across classical, fusion, and traditional Nepali music genres. Their collective experience enriches the depth and quality of any musical offering from The Healing Sound (Raga & Chakra).

Experience the unique confluence of ancient wisdom and contemporary artistry with The Healing Sound (Raga & Chakra), and allow their music to guide you on a profound journey of healing and inner peace.