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Since Galitcha's debut CD (SATRANG 2002) our musical journey has taken us across continents, countries and through cities and neighbourhoods. We continue to interpret East Indian folk music using traditional and contemporary instrumentation and are inspired by sounds and rhythms from many other cultures. This second recording reflects our progress as a group and tells the story of our travels both geographically, historically and musically. We are thrilled to have collaborated with Yves Lambert (founder of La Bottine Souriante) and welcome Matt Smith's slide guitar and mandolin expertise. Everything sparkles with the engineering wizardry and musicianship of our friend and co-producer, James Stephens. Enjoy the tapestry we have woven for you! 1.
Chuk Dhay Kuljit
Sodhi: vocals, dholki, tumbi Chuk Dhay motivates and reminds us to embrace the joy of life. Mothers courageously give birth to future heroes, great friendships are formed and last because of our brave intentions, and we can learn the ways of tranquility and peace from the example of those who came before us. Chuk Dhay tells us to move forward in life courageously, to live boldly and experience life in all its colours. 2.
Rabba Tun Kuljit
Sodhi: vocals Rabba Tun is a sacred song asking God to ignite the light of happiness for all. It asks for blessings for all including those who have the best of intentions but struggle with life's challenges. The prayerful mood is created by the tones of the voice and instruments. 3.
Ik Mela Kuljit
Sodhi: vocals Mela is a Hindi and a Punjabi word meaning Festival. This composition is a joyful instrumental with some vocals in the East Indian style called tarana - a type of composition in Indian classical vocal music in which syllables are sung in a medium or fast-paced pattern matching the song's rhythm. 4.
Shukria Shukria is a South Asian word expressing gratitude. Like many Indian prayers, this composition is filled with gratitude for peace and harmony as well as awe of nature's beautiful seasons and starry heavens shining with hope. The song is in a seven beat rhythmic cycle called Rupak taal. 5.
Paudi Lakay Kuljit
Sodhi: vocals, dholki, claps Following in the Sufi tradition, Paudi Lakay can be interpreted as a devotional or as a love song. It describes the wonder and the anxiety of the mind as it seeks and yet fears to experience something as yet unknown. It is the struggle between desire and the fear of the unknown emotional territory that must be crossed to satisfy that desire. 6.
Dhooron Ayia Kuljit
Sodhi: vocals On May 23, 1914 the Komagata Maru drew into port in Vancouver, Canada carrying 376 East Indian passengers. Upon arrival the ship was refused landing. Canadian authorities did not let the passengers disembark, claiming they had violated the requirement to come to Canada on a continuous journey from their countries of origin. After two months the ship was turned back to India. In Dhooron Ayia a passenger on the Komagatu Maru reflects as he watches the days pass. He recalls the hardships he experienced in departing from loved ones and the world he knew. He wonders at his treatment and asks the Canadian people what his destiny will be. 7.
Blé d'Inde Kuljit Sodhi:
vocals, dholki Sixty years after the Komagata Maru, songwriter Kuljit Sodhi arrived in Canada to a very different welcome from that experienced at the turn of the century by his countrymen. Many vibrant cultures flourished in French Canada's Montreal of the 1970's. Kuljit noted that the folk styles of Québécois culture were reminiscent of those in the Punjab of his Indian homeland. With the encouragement and support of Yves Lambert, Kuljit developed this composition to show the many commonalities of these two musical cultures. Oh yes mes amis! Here Kuljit is asking Yves, "What are these songs that you sing? They sound so familiar to me!" 8.
Road to Bamako Chris
MacLean: vocals, harmonium In January 2005 Galitcha was invited to perform at the Festival au Desert near Timbouctou, in Mali, West Africa. We spent a week in Bamako (the capital city of Mali) and met a group of orphaned street children there. This song is the story of eleven-year-old Ousmane, a lively boy with a beautiful voice, who had walked 1000 km from his home in Gao to find work in the city. It is a story common to orphaned children in developing countries around the world. Inshallah (God willing), their dreams of a home, education and enough to eat will become reality. CARE Canada, Foster Parents Plan, the Stephen Lewis Foundation, Unitarian Service Committee and many other NGOs take donations to help kids like Ousmane have a future. 9.
J'entends le Moulin Kuljit
Sodhi: vocals Oui! Chris, Linsey, Shawn et Monsieur Yves Lambert play a traditional Québécois folk song … with a little twist of Indian tarana! 10.
Punjabi Munday Kuljit
Sodhi: vocals, dholki Set in the Punjabi folk style this song is a teasing conversation between two lovers. | ||
