Taking fundraising to an 'en-chanting' new level

By  HANNAH SCHAUDER 

An evening of chanting, dance and poetry at the Melbourne fringe Festival tonight is raising funds for children with type 1 diabetes.

Vedic Vibe, a Melbourne based non-profit ensemble, is the team behind the performance, which will include 15 musicians combining live music, dance, poetry, and chanting in Sanskrit, English and Gurmukhi (a Sikh language).

Ms Gill said she was inspired to create the event by her son’s 10-year battle with Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is the most common chronic disease among children, and requires frequent blood tests and life-saving injections several times a day.

“I’m amazed at people’s generosity,” she said.  “There are 15 musicians, 10 dancers and a whole army of volunteers working to make this happen. Truly a labour of love.”

The music will feature a mix of Eastern and Western instruments such as the sitar, harmonium, cello, oud, tablas, merdang, guitar, derebouka, bass guitar and tamboura, to produce the sounds of ancient India in a modern form.

Vedic Vibe practices the art of Kirtan, an ancient form of call-and-response singing of ancient Vedic mantras, spiritually uplifting songs and prayers. Kirtan aims to be a journey of self-discovery, rather than performance.  

Ms Gill said she hoped the performance would allow participants “to give the chanting genre recognition” and “establish this genre as a legitimate one in Melbourne”.   

“The main purpose is to uplift people, making them feel better and more inspired,” she said.

“Surrender totally and go on the journey, and you will come out with a big smile on your face.”

The event tonight at 6.30pm at Abbottsford Convent, and is sold out.