News Interview

Below is a transcript of an interview with Anandita Basu:

Q: We have told people you are Anandita from Colombia, but are you actually from there or somewhere else?

Haaaaaaaaaa haaaaaaaaaaa I am Indian 100% haaaa I’m married in Sahaja Yoga with a Colombian that is why I live in Colombia now.

Q: Can you tell us about your family?  Were any of them also musicians?  

I was born to a family where Indian Classical Music was heard and practiced everyday in the house because of my Mother who is a Doctorate in Indian Classical music time.

Q: Can you tell us about your training?

I started learning Indian Classical Music and dance at the age of four with my Mother and then went on to learn with various renowned artists of Indian dance, music and percussion (North Indian style).  I did Sangeet Prabhakar and Visharad masters degree in Both Indian Classical music and percussion and diploma in Indian dance. The inspiration was huge, but the real sense for getting professional came when Shri Mataji blessed my music and dance for the first time.

Q: When have you performed before Shri Mataji?

The first time I performed before Shri Mataji was when I was 10 years old.  I danced Her favorite Marathi song from folk dance (badal vade sut lago), and, a song composed by my mom. After that I have been blessed to perform before Her sometimes singing, sometimes dancing and sometimes playing tabla since then, in total its more 15 times before mother I have performed.

Q: Where have you worked? What is your experience as a professional artist and teacher?

I participated in many shows and competitions from childhood all over India. In 2004 I taught Dance and Music in Dharamshala, In 2005, I taught Indian music at Vishwa Nirmala Prem in Greater Noida.  Since 2006, I have been working as professor of Indian Dance and Music at University of Javeriana in Colombia. There also I founded the organization of  Kalakendra  to promote Indian Culture in Colombia and I am currently the director.   Since 2007 I have been performing in many countries including Canada, Brazil, Bolivia, Suriname, Switzerland, Austria, Germany ,France etc.

Q: Tell us if you have made any of your own compositions (dance or vocal).  What were they about?

Yes with the inspiration which Shri Mataji gave me, I have been composing many songs, (Bhajans, Kawalis and Sufi music). I have recorded eleven CDs now.  Seven of these are Sahaja Yoga recordings.   In dance, it has been various forms of choreography in kathak, bharatnatyam, folk dances, and modern dances from India.

Q: Do you have any message for Americans about the upcoming Arts Camp in Canajoharie, especially for those who are new to Indian music?  What message would you give a Sahaja Yogi who is considering learning?

I feel dance is in everyone of us as its a great blessing which Shri Mataji gives you and it helps you to develop yourself in every way. The beauty of Indian music transforms people and helps finding solutions inside oneself, and, of course, being yogis we understand more deeply the real sense of art inside ourselves.

Anandita will be in Canajoharie at the Arts Camp  from July 15th until August 4th.

If you would like to benefit from Anandita’s instruction (in Dance, Music, Percussion, as well as in Cooking) you can register (for a weekend, a week or the entire 3 week period) at this link.