"MUSIC IS PART OF MY SOUL" ---

Kinnar Ji in "oneness" with the sitar

(Editor's note: This article was published in the West Indian newspaper in New York - dated 8/24/13. No parts of this article can be reproduced without permission from the writer).

Internationally-acclaimed Sitar Exponent and Trained Indian Classical Musician Pandit Kinnar Seen

Indian classical music pulls at his heart beats. In fact, the very essence of his being pulsates with the rhythm of this magical musical genre. He has been playing and teaching Indian classical music with such passion and soulfulness for so long - that he has become the music, which he stated, “connects me to my people, regardless of which part they’re from; it’s part of our Indian identity.”

Meet Pandit Kinnar Kumar Seen! He is an internationally-acclaimed exponent of sitar and a trained Indian classical singer/musician who lives to play and teach music to anyone who is willing to learn this ancient art form. Despite the international fame, heaps of accolades and numerous awards, he remains the epitome of humility, extremely modest, full of devotion for his music and is blessed with a prayerful heart and a great family.

During a recent interview, when asked how important Indian classical music is to him, this easy-going music Guru simply replied that, “music is part of my soul.” Music is the “food for the soul” that he cannot sleep or live without, “I can’t even sleep if I don’t play music.”

Then, he added softly but matter-of-factly, “If I cannot play music, then let my God take me away because life without music is no life.” Through the medium of performances and teaching, he is trying to keep Indian classical music alive and vowed to continue, “For as long as I live.”

Unwittingly, he touched a chord in the inner core of himself unfathomable to many of us. You see, music runs extremely deep in his genetic make-up and his spiritual consciousness; so much so that, it is appropriate to say that as fragrance is to roses, Indian classical music is to Kinnar Seen.

So, how is he able to achieve this seeming subtle “oneness” so effortlessly with the music he plays, especially with the sitar, which he shares a very strong bond with?

“It’s not me or what I’ve achieved, but I must have come with these qualities; this is because of my sanskars,” he stated modestly, emphasizing that, “It’s my Dharma.”

MUSICAL BACKGROUND

Was it celestially blissful growing up in a home where the soothing sound of the sitar and scintillating beats of the tabla filled the atmosphere?

“It was normal going up in a musical family,” Kinnar Ji stated honestly, being the down-to- earth person that he is, and continued, “my father is my Guru,” however, he succinctly pointed out that it was not always easy studying under his father.

He grew up in Jalandhar, in the state of Punjab, North India, where he was exposed to the traditional Punjab Gharana style of music from a very tender age.


His father, Acharya Ji Lachman Singh Seen, is a legendary musician in India and is also very well-known on the international musical circuit. Acharya Ji Seen started Sangeet Vilas, a musical school in his home town, teaching Indian classical music, specializing in the sitar and tabla.



The Seen family is not only extra-ordinarily gifted musicians but also Raput landowners. Kinnar Ji came from a long line of ancestors who were also rulers for their state. His late mother, Shrimati Shakuntala Rani Seen, was very influential in him studying music and becoming the full fledged, versatile professional musician he is today.

“She is the reason I’m in music,” he credited his mother for his blessings.

Thus, the young Kinnar began his musical journey, studying under the guidance of his father, along with so many other students who were always coming to his home.

He went on to study at a private institution, the Guru Nanak Dev University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Master’s Degree in Music, majoring in Sitar in 1984. He also holds the title of Sangeet Visharad, which is equivalent to Master’s Degree in both tabla and singing that he holds in Bombay.

For his proficiencies in both vocal and tabla, he won seven gold medals in both regional and national competitions in India. He liked to participate in competitions for which he put in long hours of practice daily back then and even now he practices endlessly.

MOVE TO THE USA

He relocated to the USA over twenty-five years ago. What prompted the young Kinnar to move to the US and New York, in particular?

Kinnar Ji revealed that he traveled “almost half of the world,” but somehow, “New York always felt like home,” then he reasoned philosophically, “Anywhere I go, I’ve to work and live, then why not live where it felt like home?”

Asked if it was difficult to leave his parents, particularly his mother, for a foreign land, he replied that his father believed in the ancient Vedantic teaching, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” which literally means, “The whole world is a single family.” His mother was very supportive of his move.

Like majority of immigrants during their early years of assimilating life in the US, it was also challenging for Kinnar Ji. He had to work from jobs here and there to make ends meet.

TEACHING UNDER THE ANCIENT GURU SHISHYA SYSTEM

When did it dawn on him that he wanted to teach Indian classical music?

Well, in those early days, “I wasn’t thinking to teach music,” he related, as he was more into musical performances. Also, when he came to New York, initially, he was not ready to teach music when asked by a few parents.

However, because he practiced music so much for his performances, the transition to teaching the music became quite easy. In the end, he gave in and taught a few children.

“But, then I teach a few kids, I see the changes I made in their lives and I thought, if I can do this, it’s all worth it. That’s when I decided to teach music. I stopped all my bad habits,” he stated truthfully, reminiscing down memory lane during the early days of his teaching career. These days, teaching this sacred music has become a deep passion of his.

According to Kinnar Ji, parents from the West Indian Diaspora were very supportive of his new venture. Many Guyanese and Trinidadian parents were very enthusiastic to have such a knowledgeable individual teach their children singing, harmonium and tabla. In those early days, he conducted classes at the children’s homes.

Kinnar Ji conducting a singing class

“People from Guyana and Trinidad asked me to teach their kids. Kalicharran met me and asked me to teach his kids. Pandit Jadonath also brought several people.” Finally, the word was out that Kinnar Ji started teaching music. Soon, he started getting kids from both West Indian and Indian parents.

In time, he met his future wife, the beautiful Shrimati Payal Seen, in New York and they took the vivah sanskar. They have been happily married for over twenty years. Payal Ji is an accomplished singer, an expert on the harmonium and very well versed on the tabla.

Eventually, they continued the rich tradition started by Kinnar Ji’s father and opened up their own musical school, Sangeet Vilas, with branches in Long Island and Queens, which has been in operation for over two decades now.

Kinnar Ji runs his musical school under the ancient Indian traditional Guru Shishya system. He is Guru and Payal Ji is Guruma to all their students, who are asked to wear traditional Indian attires to all classes. As music teachers, they treat all their students as family and emphasize the importance of strong family values in classes. They protect their students and provide a very nurturing, caring and stress-free learning environment.

Payal Ji at her best

They are very hardworking, dedicated and selfless teachers who pour their hearts and souls into teaching this ancient art form to their students, who come from all walks of life, young and old and from different cultures. They implement a strict code of discipline during classes and teach music in the traditional Indian raags style, such as, Kalyaan, Khamaaj, Kafi, Bhairav, Bhairavi and Todi, among others. Kinnar Ji teaches the sitar, vocal and tabla and Payal Ji teaches vocal and harmonium classes.

A large percentage of their students consist of young American West Indians who are leading professional singers and tabla players in their mandirs and community at large – compliments to this dynamic musical duo. Hundreds of students have passed through their expert tutelage to date since they started teaching music.

What is the most rewarding moment for Kinnar Ji as a music teacher?



Payal Ji conducting a class

“When the kids perform and make a difference in society, I see myself in them,” he responded with deep feeling, and continued with a sense of immense joy, “my heart becomes overwhelmed when the kids practice and go to temples and play their music.”

He likes to pass on this music to others as it brings “inner peace” to him knowing that he has made a difference in their lives, adding, on a more serious note, “music is part of their identity, part of them, so I feel satisfy when I pass it on to them.”

HIS INSPIRATION

Everyone needs inspiration from time to time, correct? So, what inspires Kinnar Ji?

“Nature, the trees, birds, those folks who have no hands, no legs but still never quits. Manju Mehta, who has no index finger, yet she plays the sitar so very well.” Mehta is an international sitarist from India. Then, there is that special bird that created a nest on one of his trees at home. Super storm Sandy came and gone but the nest was still there! His dog chased the poor thing non-stop, but the brave bird never quits.

The philosophy of never quitting, hard work, dedication and perseverance has made Kinnar Ji into a sitar maestro and a singer of the highest caliber. He plays the harmonium and tabla with such skillful dexterity as if his fingers have minds and eyes of their own. His performances are aesthetically appealing and always hold audiences mesmerized and riveted to their seats.

CHARITY WORKS

He has done endless charity shows all over the world and continues to perform for charity, because “it’s important to give back to the community,” as it is people from the society who have given their generous support to him over the years. A few years ago, he and Payal Ji went to Guyana to teach throughout the country, under the patronage of Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha. Guyana and the Guyanese people are close to his heart.

Kinnar Ji is the recipient of many awards; he was awarded in the USA, Canada, and India. Recently, he received a Medal of Honor from the Nassau County of New York State for his contribution towards the development of music. This means a lot to him.

He has also scored music for a few films. He is the music director for “FootPaths of Our Indentured Ancestors,” which is a documentary based on the East Indian Indentured history in British Guiana and is being produced by a group of overseas-based Guyanese.

He lives quietly with his wife and two children, Tasur and Nadni, in Long Island, New York. For further information on music classes, he can be reached at 646-504-7008 or 516-515-7034 or visit the website: www.sangeetvilas.com. (Bina Mahabir)

 

HAPPY RAKSHA BANDHAN TO ALL!

Tali with Rakhi and sweets. (Online photo)

(Below is excerpt of a  talk I gave to students and some parents at the Shaka movement at JHS 217 school on Hillside on 8/19/13. It was conducted by Shrimati Devi Misri and Rudra Ji. It's always nice speaking to young minds, especially when they are so attentive and willing to learn. Thanks to all of you for having me there. Keep up the great work!)

The festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day (Poornima) of the Hindu lunar month of Shravan (August – September). Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival and is officially observed tomorrow – August 20^th – by Hindus globally. Raksha Bandhan coincides with Satyanarayan Vrat Katha (Full Moon Katha). Many mandirs in our community will be observing these two important festivals.

Raksha Bandhan is a beautiful festival which literally means a “bond of protection” – Raksha means protection and Bandhan means a bond. Traditionally, the Rakhi (sacred thread) is tied onto the brother’s wrist by a sister, after prayers would have been chanted and the brother would have been 'aartied' (sister waving of lit diya around the brother) and given sweets to eat. Then, the sister would lovingly tie the Rakhi onto her brother’s right wrist. The brother reciprocated his sister’s love and respect by blessing his sister and giving her a nice gift.

As Rabindranauth Tagore said, "Hinduism are thoughts and ideas that move with the time." So, to accommodate the needs of families blessed with only girls, a sister can tie Rakhi onto her sister’s wrist or friend’s wrist. If the Rakhi is tied onto a sister’s wrist by a sister or friend, the significance of this special festival remains the same. When the Rakhi is tied onto the wrist, the relationship between brother and sister and sister and sister takes on a much deeper meaning.

The tying of the Rakhi has deep spiritual and social significances. It symbolizes the sister's love and prayers for her brother's well-being, and the brother's lifelong vow to protect her from all things evil. The same meaning is applicable for the  sister and sister bond; the two sisters develop a stronger bond for each other, respect each other and try to protect each other for a lifetime.

So, to all of you who are tying the Rakhi this afternoon and those whose wrists the Rakhi is being tied onto, please try to understand the deeper spiritual and social significances of Raksha Bandhan and try to uphold these rich values at all times. In doing so, you will be keeping the flag of Sanatan Dharma flying very high because you are all future ambassadors of this mighty religion.

Always remember, whatever you do in life, including observing the festival of Raksha Bandhan here today, God is a silent witness to this, so always practice the good values your mothers and fathers, Gurus and elders teach you. Always strive to “Be good, do good and live good.”

Why do we have so many festivals like Raksha Bandhan and others in Hinduism?

In Hinduism, we’re blessed with all these beautiful festivals and parbs, such as, Janamashtami, Raksha Bandhan, Nauratri, etc., because God wants us to become more pure, truthful and sattvik in our thoughts, words and deeds. In essence, the Lord wants us to be more Godly. The many festivals  help us to practice self-control, dispassion and detachment. They also help us to ride ourselves of ego, greed and lust. Raksha Bandhan helps us to love and respect our siblings and rid us of ego, greed and lust against our sisters and brothers.

Raksha Bandhan has been celebrated from time immemorial in Hinduism:

In the famous epic, the Mahabharat, Shri Krishna was wounded on the hand in the battlefield. Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, torn a strip off her sari and tied it around Shri Krishna’s wrist to stop the bleeding. The Supreme Lord was very touched by Draupadi’s kind act and so promised to repay her. To upkeep His promise, the Lord spent over 25 years protecting her and her family – the Pandavas - from the evil King Duryodhana. The Supreme Lord also supplied an endless flow of sari to Draupadi when she was shamelessly being disrobed by her evil relatives.   

Then there is the story of the legendary demon King Bali. He was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, so much so, that Lord Vishnu had taken up the task to guard his kingdom, leaving His own abode in Vaikunth. Goddess Lakshmi wished to be with Her Lord in their own abode - Vaikunth.

So, what did Shri Lakshmi did?

She disguised Herself as a woman and seek refuge at Bali’s residence until Lord Vishnu returns back to Her.

During the Shravan Purnima celebrations, Lakshmi Devi tied the sacred thread onto King Bali’s wrist. When asked by Bali, She revealed who she was and why she was there. The king was touched by Her goodwill for his family and Her purpose. He then requested Lord Vishnu to return with Shri Lakshmi to Vaikunth. He sacrificed all he had for the Lord and his devoted wife.

Rabindranath Tagore was one of India’s greatest poet and independent thinkers. His vision of celebrating Raksha Bandhan was somewhat different. He believed that Raksha Bandhan is not only a festival for the siblings but it should be a celebration of mankind and humanity. He promoted the idea of using Raksha Bandhan as a celebration to spread the message of unity and harmony among all members of the society. He believed that it is the responsibility of all members of the society to help and protect each other and encourage a harmonious social life.

And, that is what you’re all celebrating here today – you’re celebrating peace, unity and harmony among yourselves. You will take the lessons learned here and practice them  at home and in society. You’ll make the society a better place to live in. That is the cardinal principle of the Sakha movement – to promote peace, brotherhood, unity and harmony among all peoples.

So, as you tie Rakhi on each other’s wrist this evening, strive to be your sister’s and brother’s keeper and protector. Love each other, look out for each other, support each other, be good Hindu boys and girls. Make your mother and father proud! Make your community proud!

Happy Raksha Bandhan to all!