NEWS RELEASE
23rd January, 2009
Night of a Thousand Sitars - Guinness
World Record
confirmed
Guinness World Records Ltd have certified that the unique Brahma Naad Indian classical music concert
was the largest ever sitar ensemble. The 1,094 sitarists, aged between 6 and 70 years, performed before an
audience of 200,000 people in Delhi from 21st – 22nd November 2008.
The concert was organised by the world renowned Indian spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of
the Art of Living Foundation (AOLF), to highlight the unifying power of music.
The artists came from
around the world, including Australia, and spanned a diverse range of religions, castes and backgrounds,
and included visually impaired artists.
Says His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, "Music connects the individual to the universal spirit. Music is
that rhythm & harmony that flows from the universal to the individual; from the cosmos to the finite."
The proceeds from the event went to support AOLF’s humanitarian relief and rehabilitation projects.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has confirmed he will be visiting Sydney in April 2009 as part of his hugely popular
‘Health & Happiness’ World Tour.
Editor’s Notes:
The concert was entitled Brahma Naad (from Sanskrit – ‘the first sound of the universe.’)
The music was based on ancient ragas from the Gandharva Veda, namely Raga Gara, Bageshri and
Hansadhwani. The music conceptualizes the all-encompassing love and longing for the divine.
Footage (Courtesy of CNN-IBN):
The Art of Living Foundation is a not-for-profit, educational and humanitarian NGO with a presence in
over 140 countries. It aims to uplift humanity by globalising spirituality and bringing peace at the level of
the individual, society, nation and the world as a whole. Founded in 1982 by Indian spiritual leader, Sri
Sri Ravi Shankar, it is one of the largest volunteer-based organizations in the world, and works in special
consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.
For further information and high res images please contact:
Ivan Brownrigg
Media Coordinator
Art of Living Foundation Australia
0421 320 611
Ivan@artofliving.org.au
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