'Music of Joy' Sufi Concert

From one of America’s most read Sufi poets, Rumi, to the mystic verses of Khusro and Kabir, locals can indulge their souls with the upcoming “Music of Joy” Sufi concert at the Frying Pan Farm Park auditorium in Herndon.

The free event held May 1st, 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., will feature musicians from India and Iran. Zohreh Marchitelli, “Music of Joy” event manager explains that the Iranian-Italian artist, Farzaneh Joorabchi, will present mystical Persian renditions typically accompanied by the Setar instrument of Iran, while Indian Sufi singer, Simple Sharma, will follow with energetic Kawali vocals.

The Washington DC Sahaja group will sponsor the program held in honor of Shri Mataji, the late Founder of Sahaja Yoga. Sahaja Yoga Meditation is the only 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which provides free meditation and breakthrough holistic solutions to communities across America based on the teachings of its founder. Shri Mataji is a Nobel Peace prize nominee and recipient of numerous awards, which include being awarded the UN Peace Medal, Unity award for international understanding, declared personality of the year by the Italian government, Proclamation by the US Congress and officially greeted by Mayors and Governors throughout the United States. Sahaja Meditation is practiced in over 80 countries with centers in major US cities such as LA, NY, Chicago and Washington DC.

The “Music of Joy” tribute concert is the first of its kind in Northern Virginia and is expected to draw a diverse audience from all corners of the world, according to Himani Naikare, Sahaja cultural co-coordinator.
“The music of the Sufis exemplify love and unity amongst all notwithstanding differences in race, religion or country,” says Marchitelli. “These are values Americans cherish, and we will celebrate this through the concert.” Along with Sufi ideals, the audience can expect a heartfelt rendition of various couplets describing man’s quest for spiritual love from Sufis such as Rumi, Shams-i Tabrizi, Bulleh Shah, Amir Khusro, Kabir and more.
The two-hour music program will be followed by an optional half-an-hour meditation workshop for the audience. Naikare says, such workshops are easy to follow, and give people a useful tool of finding peace of mind in their busy lives. Throughout the coming months, the DC Sahaja group will continue to provide follow-up meditation workshops at various locations in and outside of Herndon at no cost.

“Our aim is to relax people whether it is through meditation or music,” says Marchitelli. “Sufi music is a great way to warm the heart, feel the magic of times gone by… and of those yet to come!”
She adds, the “Music of Joy” concert can be compared to Sufi Tabrizi’s poetic line, ‘Joy is like pure clear water; wherever it flows, wondrous blossoms grow.’
More information on the event can be found at www.sufimusictribute.com