Aradhna

Infobox musical artist
Name = Aradhna
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Cincinnati, OH, USA
Genre = World / Fusion / Contemporary Christian
Years_active = 2000–present
Label = Independent
Associated_acts = Miranda Stone, Peter Hicks
URL = http://www.aradhnamusic.com
Current_members = Chris Hale Peter Hicks Fiona Hicks Travis Macafee
Notable_instruments = Sitar, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Bass, Violin, Tabla, Bansuri, drums, Viola, Cello

Aradhna is a band that fuses traditional Indian spirituals (bhajans) with Christ-centered themes, composed primarily in the Hindi language, in addition to Bihari, Bhojpuri and Braj Basha languages [ [http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/03/stories/2007020316190200.htm The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Wait for fusion music full of surprises ] ] . The band members include Chris Hale (lead vocals, sitar), Peter Hicks (acoustic guitar, sitar), Fiona Hicks (Hindustani violin) and Travis Macafee (bass).

History

Aradhna was formed in 2000 when Chris Hale and Peter Hicks who had been touring India with their band Olio returned to the US to record Aradhna's debut album 'Deep Jale' (Light the Lamp). The name Aradhna is from Hindi, meaning 'Adoration'. The band-members were interested in creating an authentic sound for Indian Christ-centered worship which had so far relied heavily on Western hymns and contemporary worship [ [http://www.radicalchrist.com/articledetail.asp?ID=1009465518&CategoryID=Music Welcome to www.radicalchrist.com ] ] . To make this possible the band turned to India's bhajan singers and the style of Indian devotion known as 'bhakti', expressing faith in 'Yeshu Krist' (Jesus Christ).

Hale assumes primarily songwriting duties due to his fluency in Hindi. In addition to Hale's compositions, the band features heavily the songs composed by Peter John, an Indian musician from New Delhi whose Christ-centered bhajans caught Hale's attention [ [http://www.radicalchrist.com/articlehomedetail.asp?ID=440079738&CategoryID=Music Welcome to www.radicalchrist.com ] ] . The band involves several Indian musicians in their performances and recordings as well, besides other similar bands, notably Miranda Stone who married Hale in 2004 [ [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051030/ttlife.htm#3 The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - The Tribune Lifestyle ] ] .

Musical Style

Aradhna has evolved in its musical style primarily from the fusion music that Olio played and deliving deeper into Northern Indian classical music (Hindustani music) that Hale was learning under the discipleship of Partho Chatterjee (sitar). Hicks, who played rock guitar, also was learning sarod under the discipleship of Calcutta's Partho Sarothy. Travis Macafee added electric bass to this duo in the recording of their debut album, bringing his more traditional jazz sensibilities and background to the group. Five years after the formation of the band, Fiona Hicks (married to Peter) added Hindustani violin, having studied Northern Indian classical music under Kala Ramnath.

Critical Acclaim

For a band that has ventured into unchartered territory, the critical acclaim in North America, the UK and India has been favorable. Reviews have compared Hicks's vocals to Peter Gabriel's [ [http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.com/archives/1946 Colossians Three Sixteen » Amrit Vani (Album Review) ] ] , [ [http://www.tollbooth.org/2008/reviews/aradhna.html Reviews of The Phantom Tollbooth ] ] ; and found audiences in venues other than the Christian mainstream- in Hindu and Buddhist temples and Sikh Gurdwaras alike [ [http://www.eastandwest.co.uk/aradhnatempletour.htm East and West || Aradhna ] ] .

Within traditional Indian churches however, their music has not yet been widely adopted as a favored method of worship.

Discography

External links

* [http://www.aradhnamusic.com/ The official Aradhna website]
* [http://www.peterhicks.net/Peter Hicks (current band member, solo artist)]
* [http://www.mirandastone.com/Miranda Stone (solo artist, associate artist)]

References