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Shivoham
A Journey into Bliss
7 tracks, 62 min.
Published worldwide by Manish Vyas © and ℗ 2012
SHIVOHAM, 2014 Grammy's first-round ballot nominated album
1. Nārāyanā Vidmahe
2. Shivoham
3. Guru Brahmā
4. Jaya Shivā Omkārā
5. Jai Rādhā Mādhav
6. Sohum
7. In Search
After a gap of 5 years, Manish has released his new album SHIVOHAM. This album is a collection of Mantras and songs which have developed during the last 7 years traveling and performing around the world... and 3 years spent in a Mystery School in India.
Featuring Manish's signature vocals, these ancient mantras and bhajans express the depth of devotion, wisdom and silence... taking the listener to a space of grace and gratitude.
All pieces composed by Manish Vyas, except Jai Rādhā Mādhav composed by Jagjit Singh (India.)
"Manish Vyas' indelible voice is like a river of bliss flowing through this release, Shivoham. Manish, a prodigy Tabla player, has a rhythm in his music that moves every cell of your body to the heartbeat of his rich gentle sacred songs and mantras. Instrumental tapestries are woven through the album with a pulsating beauty that transfixes you to every note. These ancient sacred mantras evoke a timeless space of grace and divinity, composed with the purest elements of eastern music tradition.
"Shivoham can be translated as "I am bliss." inspired by this sutra, this album carries a spirit of joy, prayer, devotion, gratitude, and meditation. Featuring an incredible fusion of instruments from the east and west including instruments : Santoor, Tabla, keyboards, Swarmandal, Dholak, Pakhawaj, Madal, frame drum, acoustic and electric Guitar, Bansuri flute, Piano, Clarinet, Sarod, Violin, Sitar. Some of these instruments played by Manish, and others by top musicians from India."
customer reviews
One of the best in this genre! I've listened to this album more times than i can count and each time I find myself going deeper into its complex beauty. A truly unique and marvelous blend of instruments and vocals. I love listening to it...especially when practicing yoga. -- Prabudh, iTunes, USA
I recently discovered Manish and what a pleasure! I mostly play music on the way to and from work and it brings me such joy.
Driving to work with India in my car. mantras really help me to focus on my inner being and let go of all other insignificant, not-worth-to-think-about things that can keep your mind endlessly occupied. Thank you Manish for this beautiful piece of art. -- Kim Wanten, Amazon, USA
If you like real Indian music - genuine, peaceful, devotional, meditative... then this cd is perfect.. ancient mantras and songs, soothing voice and harmonious musical arrangements. -- Amazon US
Thank you so very much. I have just purchased the version in your new CD Shivoham. My favourite song from your new CD is 'Narayana Vidmahe'. I've been playing it on repeat all day today. I also really like Shivoham. I've actually never heard this version before,
I also have the version you sang with Snatam Kaur live - it really is a special version too. -- Jyoteshna Owens
I love your music, I love chanting with your music, so I would love to get the lyrics to chant with the new CD Shivoham.
Your music is so inspiring, your voice, the rhythm and the whole atmosphere gives so much good energy. -- Pascale-Camille Rocchi, Switzerland
Really liking this new mp3! the music has a beautiful flow and soufulness to it that inspires me to dance, inside and out. -- Shawna Alampai
Excellent commitment and his love for music -- Satyen, Bangalore, India
It simply throws me in trance. wonderful. -- Viral, iTunes
Just found you today. listening to "In Search" lifted me higher. Spent two years in heaven 40 years ago, and your music is moving me again in that direction along with other current happenings... thank you for being. -- Huck
editorial reviews
Transport yourself to a silent, spiritual ancient India
‘Shivoham’ is the eighth release of Manish Vyas’ own production and is just one more confirmation of the fine quality of his work.
One would almost say that to define this CD is to know Manish, because each composition in the album has a story, has been a long journey, as he himself has explained. If one is sensitive enough, one can truly sense that music is his most innate way of expressing his being and sharing his soul.
The best way to picture the style of this new album is to transport oneself to a silent, spiritual, ancient India: of devotion, mystery, worship, silence and inner search. With each mantra, ‘Shivoham’, which means ‘I am bliss’, truly honors its name by creating a space of well-being, peace and centered joy.
‘Shivoham’ elegantly displays both ancient and contemporary elements. When it comes to creating devotional Indian music, one clearly notices that Manish has an inborn clarity and sharp sensitivity in the perception of all aspects of music. With his contemporary vision, he has created a unique fusion and new age genre, in which his music is easily accepted and enjoyed by eastern and western audiences; yet he has kept the ability to maintain the quality of the real essence of Indian compositions, lyrics and structures. In this way, he always shows great respect for the Maestros of all times.
One can see that Manish does not compromise when it comes to music; carefully and freely he chooses each element in his compositions. He does not seem to be trying to please the high demand of ‘spiritual’ music, as many artists tend to do for commercial reasons. Instead, he creates and then, simply shares. Amazingly enough, he can take as much as five or ten years to release a new album… he does it only when he feels it is the right moment, when the songs are ready and mature – when the real ‘soul’ of the album has been conveyed.
The spirit of ‘Shivoham’ could be matched with these words of Osho: “Whatsoever feels good is good, whatsoever feels beautiful is beautiful, and whatsoever makes you joyful, gay, delighted, is truth. Let that be your only criterion; don´t be bothered by others’ opinions. Let this be your only touchstone – whatsoever makes you happy is bound to be true. Ananda, bliss, is the only criterion of truth.” The Discipline of Transcendence, Vol 2, Ch 1, Q 2
This album was launched worldwide in April 2014 by Spirit Voyage Records and, not surprisingly, is being very well received by an impatient audience who has been requesting him repeatedly to release a new album. Going through other reviews, most of the listeners express that the mantras in this CD bring them immediately to a meditative, soothing space. Also, there are innumerable comments about his silken and deeply expressive, soothing, mysterious voice, so full of feeling.
There is an immense richness of musical elements beautifully combined in ‘Shivoham’ – Santoor, Tabla and a variety of percussion, Harp, Piano, Violin, Guitar, Bansuri, Clarinet, Sarod, sitar and beautiful feminine voices gracefully joining Manish. Through ‘Shivoham’ he is sharing his passion, his essence – as he himself expressed, “this music was conceived where silence meets music and music meets silence – that space where I find bliss.” By meeting Manish, it is really surprising to see how the richness of his musical creations contrasts with the simplicity of his being.
- Osho News
Entrancingly hypnotic
For the second week in a row, we have another album of Indian music framed in the context of western sounds, this time presented by world music artist and tabla player Manish Vyas.
Vyas sings a variety of Indian mantras and devotional songs, and the combination of his entrancingly hypnotic tenor and Indian and western instrumentation blended together results in lush and soothing sounds that make you feel like you're traveling through exotic lands.
Like last week's featured album, this is a great introduction to Indian music that is both accessible and enjoyable.
- Raj Manoharan, RAJMAN reviews
A rare gift to the world
Shivoham—“I am Bliss”—evokes a timeless space of grace and divinity. Joined by a splendid ensemble of musicians and vocalists,
Manish transports you into the purest elements of eastern devotional music. Instruments including the Santoor, Tabla, Keyboards, Swarmandal, Dholak, Pakhawaj, Madal, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Bansuri flute, Piano, Clarinet, Violin and Sitar accompany seven blissful chants to Narayan, Shiva, the Guru, Radha Krishna and others. This is rare talent and a gift to the world.
- Light of Consciousness Magazine, Arizona, USA
Music in India has always had a much deeper purpose... understanding the true purpose behind this music is also a process of awareness.
INTERVIEW by SPIRIT VOYAGE RECORDS
april 2012
We caught up with Manish Vyas, beloved maestro of music and an unforgettable percussionist who once traveled with Snatam Kaur. Here are the inspiring answers to our questions about his new album SHIVOHAM:
Q: What is this album's feeling or inspiration?
A: The inspiration of this album is a silent inner journey blessed by the treasure of a guru, the mystery of love and the search of the self. All the mantras and songs which are part of this CD, were born in an inner space where silence meets music and music meets silence, the place where I find bliss - SHIVOHAM. The core feeling of this album is grace and divinity, allowing the space of joy, prayer, devotion, gratitude and meditation.
Q: How did you discover Kirtan?
A: It just happened. As a child, I used to participate in the monthly meditation gatherings at home in Gujarat - India, organised by my grandfather, who used to manage an Osho Meditation Center. Each of this gathering used to end with Kirtan, allowing everyone to participate, sing, dance and melt in devotion. I used to play a traditional Indian drum called Dholak in these Kirtans. So in a way, the first ever form of celebrative music that I got introduced to was actually Kirtan. Later when I moved to Poona, India... I became a regular musician in the Kirtan band in Osho Commune International, and that's where actually it flowered.
Q: What is your favourite song on this album?
Basically all of them. it is hard to choose. Each song is close to my heart.
Q: What is one of your sweetest mantra chanting memories?
A: There have been some amazing moments on this journey of music over the years. Most memorable are the ones when the audiences and the band become one with the chant, there remains no separation, dissolving in the silence. But here I will mention two occasions specially:
One was when I was touring with Snatam Kaur, we were at Kripalu. And Snatam asked me to lead one kirtan. So I chose to do one song, which we had rarely played live, and that song was also not known to the people as it is not on any CD yet. But we just started, and then for 30 minutes non-stop, we kept on singing, with the people in the hall, singing their hearts out with us, also dancing with us. The rhythm kept on building gradually. It was a very spontaneous happening and a very blissful experience. That's when one becomes an instrument in the hands of the consciousness, universal energy, whatever you want to call it... and then that energy plays through you, sings through you. The best part of that night was, when the song finished, the silence which happened... was very powerful, very deep, unexplainable in words.
Second time was a recent concert in Buenos Aires, when towards the end of the concert, I decided to do a SHANTI MANTRA. Usually, when I introduce a mantra, I explain the text and the meaning of the chant to the people in the concert, so that they can sing if they like. But here was such a space, that no need was felt to say anything about this mantra, but to just start it. So the chant started, and to my surprise, the people joined in singing within no time. And once again, when it was finished, the quality of silence was indescribable. This silence is a gift, a blessing.
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