Dance Sadhguru, Dance, chanted a pumped Machel Montano to Sadhguru, the founder of the Isha Foundation, who rose to his feet with fete-like fervour in tempo that the blended the rhythms of old world and new, Caribbean, African and Indian.
The Carnival Tuesday atmosphere moved to India this year as Caribbean Soca Superstar Machel Montano took to the Isha Foundation’s stage in celebration of Maha Shiva Ratri – the Great Night of Shiva
It also saw the World Premiere of Machel’s new song Soil Song in his debut performance in India. Millions experienced and participated in the 24-hour event that began at 8.30 am (Atlantic time) March 1 and concludes same time on March 2 2022.
Machel’s visible absence from the national Carnival festival scene was felt in his homeland where the preLenten Carnival would have culminated in Carnival Tuesday jump up – the same night of the global Maha ShivRatri observances. In lieu, he took Carnival to India and blended it with the austere Maha ShivRatri spiritual energies invoked by Sadhguru and Isha/Shiva artistes and devotees.
Dancing Sadhguru
Injecting the austerity of the occasion with the celebratory tones, Machel urged and Sadhgaru complied, jumping to his feet in imitation of the steps of Nataraj, the Cosmic dance of Shiva. He joined millions of live and online celebrants, the largest audience Machel, and indeed any international artistes has ever performed before.
Maha ShivRatri is an age old celebration of the power and potential of Shiva for creation, regeneration and dissolution of the multiverse through fasting and introspection that also revers the creative impulse in music and dance.
40 years since Too Young To Soca
Machel, the quintessential ‘insomnia’ man and self-dubbed Mr Fete celebrated Maha ShivRatri fete-style as he also celebrated his 40 anniversary in Soca. – forty years since in he entered the soca-calypso arena as little more than a toddler in diapers, belting out Too Young To Soca.
Taking the stage around the midnight hour in the annual all night/all day Maha Shiv Ratri – Great Night of Shiva vigil observed by Hindus across the globe, Machel pumped insomniac fuel into multitudes already energised by a series of spiritual exercises through meditation, chanting, parade, motion and music.
Cycle of Soca origins
Machel’s performance on Indian soil also completed the cycle of origin of the Soca art he propagates to spread the legacy of Ras Shorty I who blended the traditional rhythms of Africa and India to create Soca.
Machel utilised his few moments on the stage the occasion to recognise and pay tribute to Ras Shorty I.
Characteristically generous, he shared the Isha stage with the young youngest daughter of Ras Shorty, Marge Blackman.
Premiere of Soil Song for Sadhguru Save Soil Initiative
Together they delivered the debut performance of Soil Song, which is set to become the themesong of the soon to be launched global Save Soil initiative of Sadguru and the Isha Foundation.
Save will promote and encourage conscious earth actions by all to protect and save and regenerate the earth’s soil quality.
Machel’s presence and performance in India connects his multicultural identity as a Trinidadian with roots in Siparia.
Read more about Soca and Shiv Ratri here
About Dr Kris Rampersad
Dr Kris Rampersad is an independent journalist and multimedia educator, facilitator, publisher and producer and creator of the newest creative genre, the MultiMedia MicroEpic .
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Enjoy some clips from the great celebrations.
Machel urges Sadhguru to Dance
Dance … is just want to dance with you… Caribbean Soca sensation brought Sadhguru to his feet at the midnight hour during the all night Shiva Ratri vigil at Isha Foundation India. (4:35:11.6 to 4:36:11.6)
Dance Sadhguru Dance urges Machel Montano: 4:33:57.5to 4:34:57.5
Caribbean Soca Machel Montano performs at Maha ShivRatri with Sadhguru Isha Foundation India
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxSdA7Yvtp9Xeg0Fkyu95ybpR8wAVayyAe
4:26:19.3 To 4:27:19.3
4:26:57.4 to 4:27:40.5
Come Awake
Soca Superstar Machel Montano takes insomnia spirit to India brings Sadhguru and ShivRatri celebrants to their feet
Wake Up …Let’s Come Awake
https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx0-KLEa1eOzeiGKRqrZovanL05r3fZE0Z
4:27:55.7 – 4:28:26.10
Machel introduces his soul music
Insomnia man Soca superstar urges Maha Shiva Ratri vigil at the Isha Foundation Indian Headquarters to hearty applause by Sadhguru (4:33:57.5to 4:34:57.5)
https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxPkVwv6HJsKdDqlxVDlZrdV5oxvmrh2Md
Machel describes the soul of calypso – soca
Machel Montano describes the origin of Soca Music to multitudes in India hailing its creator Ras Shorty I blend of Africa and Indian rhythms (4:36:08.1 to 4:37:08.1)
https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx-ZzcUy8UGewYCAP8AJJqICdH62oeHOAw
World Premiere Soil Song
Machel announces World Premiere of Soil Song for Save Soil movement at Maha Shiv Ratri and shares stage with Marge Blackman granddaughter of father of soca music, Ras Shorty I
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxHs-APgwCb66nfC7SuSf1Deu1Bnv_xPEs
Machel elicits love from India for Soca
4:41:23.9 to 4:42:23.9
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxPkVwv6HJsKdDqlxVDlZrdV5oxvmrh2Md
Indian multitudes jump to Soca
Soca Music at Shiva Ratri in India
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxzKD2dTWKl0LiOrsd84UtnEZTwL013r59
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxSdA7Yvtp9Xeg0Fkyu95ybpR8wAVayyAe
Urged Satguru to Dance, dance … is just want to dance with you… Caribbean Soca sensation brough Sadhguru to his feet at the midnight hour during the all night Shiva Ratri vigil at Isha Foundation India.
https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx-ZzcUy8UGewYCAP8AJJqICdH62oeHOAw
https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx0-KLEa1eOzeiGKRqrZovanL05r3fZE0Z