Ananda Flow

First visit to India

Water Buffalo strolling down the village road in South Goa early morning every day is quite a view. Those majestic creatures are the largest members of the Bovini tribe, which includes yak, bison, African buffalo, various species of wild cattle. They carry huge horns stretching to 5 feet! Buffalo can weight up to half a tonne, but their character is mellow and calm. As they move in the morning to the wet parts of the area, to stay submerged in a swamp or any water for the duration of the hot day, they are always accompanied by their small friends, white birds. Egrets are closely related to herons with s shaped neck, long legs and short tail. They live in a symbiotic relationship as the bird eats the insects that are stuck on buffalo’s skin or that are moved by the movement that buffalo creates. Egret follows the buffalo as their collaboration and friendship flourish: the strong, heavy, black buffalo with the small, light and white bird.

Ecstatic Ragas is a project that we have been working on all year 2024. It has been growing, maturing and evolving through this time. As the seasons change, on the first day of Autumn, a time of harvest, picking up ripe fruit from the trees, the time of abundance, I am delighted to announce the premiere of Ananda Flow’s album “Ecstatic Ragas – Music from the Stars” will take place on the 10th of October 2024.

The work we share on this album is inspired by the world music, very strongly influenced by classical Indian Ragas and mantras from different traditions. It is a blend of acoustic bansuri flute lyrical stories, tabla beats, harmonium backdrops and solos, guitar melodies, beefed up with digital sounds, loops and tracks.

Our last track that will be released on the day of the album premiere, Ang Sang Wahe Guru Flow, was recorded in collaboration with an amazing double bass player, Grzegorz Bernas. I am looking forward to sharing with you the sunny, warm vibration of that tune, bringing the vibe of Summer, chillout and joy.

You can pre-order the CD using our Etsy store below.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/AnandaFlow

Such an exciting time to be working on our new album “Ecstatic Ragas. Music from the Stars”. That material is predominantly instrumental, weaving acoustic and digital sounds into a new quality of transcendental music. Uplifting, bringing harmony, joy and relaxation. On the 2.2.2024 the first piece from the Album has been released and you are welcome to hear 1. Intro below.

Ananda had a recent collaboration with an amazing percussionist, Michael from the Spaces of Rhythm https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551771748425 and it is a taster of future project with amazing musicians.

It has been very difficult to put into words what has happened in the last month, since our trip to India.

India changed me since day one, I greeted that special land with a smile on my face, open mind, pure heart and no expectations. I loved every minute of my time travelling around and have been missing India every since we returned. Very unexpected sensation, I have never experienced before. The longing for Indian open-hardheartedness, for the smells, colours, nature, Arabian sea, palm trees, easy, lightness, fruit, sun… So many things to miss. The people really welcomed us. The feeling of visiting a country with so many cultural differences and being looked after on every step on our way.

Today I am coming to summarise the beautiful locations we visited in India and bring some updates on what is Ananda doing now. As we are working on new songs, developing our musical skills and just living our lives doing many other things, we are excited to share some Magic with people during the Summer visit to Poland (more news very soon) and Winter visit to India. New music, New Voice Activation workshops and New recordings, that’s what is coming 🙂

India Spring 2023. First stop Delhi + Agra + Madhura

First stop Delhi. Oh, what a great first stop. The traffic! Dogs on streets, cows, motorbikes, more motorbikes, rikshas, white cars only, heavy and hot air, new smells, smiley people, TRAFFIC!

We visited Agra with a kind driver who took us all the way there in his car. Distance isn’t great, driving time is. My dream was to see Taj Mahal on a special day. I chose 14th of February at sunrise to celebrate with my Valetine’s 😉 The building is spectacular, even when busy. Entering the Mausoleum was very special and touching as if I could feel the love that was between the couple resting there. Sunrise is a great time to arrive and make sure that you do not try to take your tripod as I did.

South Goa, Palolem Beach and Hampi

My heart is in Goa. When we arrived in Goa, reached the beach, Patnem beach, a smaller and more beatiful than Palolem, as I dipped in the most perfect temperature, smooth sand under my feet, sun setting, a moment I should be happy at. I started crying. Because I know that I will do anything to be back. Even though it was my first day in Goa, I knew how important this place was for me. And then I heard in my mind the name of this sea. The sea I am swimming in. It introduced itself to me: “Arabian Sea”. My name is Arabska.

Bombai or Mumbai?

That’s the question I was asking myself. Actually both. The name was changed officially in 1991 but both still are recognised and used. Oh, what a city this is! From the poor areas, through the architecture woven from the old times of the colonialism, temporary kind of structures, beautiful and abundant building of the rail station, magical mosques, museums, tea shops, parks and streets of shops, shops and more shops. Did you know that shops of the same genre are located next to each other on one street. So once walking in Bombay we passed streets selling sinks, opticians (good hint – if you were glasses order a couple of pairs in India), textile, anything really! Such a huge city and we only visited the Southern part and lived overlooking Victoria Park, which is a city zoo. We could see the elephant from our window on the 18th floor 🙂

By a sleeper train to Jaipur, the Pink City

I knew I will fell in love with Jaipur. The famous Pink City. Why pink? There are many stories, but I like the most one I heard in Jaipur. The story is closely connected with Britain as it was Prince Albert that went on a visit to Jaipur and the preparations were very engaging. At first the streets of Jaipur were meant to be all carpeted in finest carpets from India. That was difficult, especially in the monsoon time. Instead all houses were painted red to look bright and cheerful. During the monsoon red washed off and turned pink. Prince loved the colour of Jaipur and called it The Pink City.

Jaipur is much more than pink buildings. As a part of Rajasthan it has a very rich and unique cultural traditions. Rajasthani moustages are spectacular! The skirts made of layers of brightly died material with mirrors, ribbons, pompoms, you name it! What an incredible mixture. Sculptures of man with large moustage, marionettes called Kathputli, playing music with local musicians at Maha Mahal, Krishna Palace as a home, oh! Jaipur is simply the best!

Amritsar, home of the Golden Temple

The most holy of places. Or shell I say one of the most. Difficult to describe in words. Just go there.

Amritsar is in Punjab, very unique region of India. It is mostly occupied by the Sikh community and this makes it so amazingly calm (not talking about the traffic though), welcoming (even more!), smoking free, alcohol and (mostly) meet free. They have vegetarian Mc Donalds! We were greeted at the Classical Indian Music Festival in Amritsar, invited to the stage and awarded, chanted Mul Mantra at an event dedicated to woman, visited the Golden Temple daily, ate the biggest thali, made chapati at the Temple and met many lovely and kind people. The 8th of March is the International Woman’s Day. I could feel a sense of celebration when encoutering other woman that day in Amritsar. I was magical, when huge groups of beautiful sisters would ask for photo and I am so grateful that Artur captures some of these moments. The Woman of Amritsar 2023:

Rishikesh. Meeting The Ganga River

What can I say. Monther Ganga. Father Himalaya. The Sun The Moon. Chanting in the air. Silver and gold particles in the sand of the river. Sacred moments. Climbing the waterfall, dipping in Ganges (that was on the same day), Kirtan Festival, mala shopping, beautiful people. Will return.

I would like to invite all children age 5+ for a very special event taking place at the Wallace Collection. As an art historian, guide lecturer and museum educator with over a decade of experience at various national museums in London I created a new way to engage with school children through informal learning sessions in museums. It is called Imagine Nation Experience.

During Easter Break I organise guided art tours designed for the young audience that will include: drawing, designing, looking and hearing fascinating stories about the objects from the collection. Each tour is 2 hours long and will involve the children with many fun activities.

Join me on Tuesdays 4th of April 2023 and 11th of April 2023 from 11-1pm at the Wallace Collection. The cost is £25 per child (this includes an activity book to take home) payable in advance. Please contact me to reserve your space and receive payment details.

https://goo.gl/maps/mQMBB3neww4DXoXp9

I would like to share with you some pictures and a video from our New Year trip to this magical coastal city. I loved the architecture, art deco houses, churches and the tiles, of course! Endless Pastel de Nata’s and interesting breads.

Casa-Museu Fernando de Castro.

We visited two amazing institutions, very different from each other. Firstly we went to a private house of an art collector Fernando de Castro (Porto, 1889-1947) who was a Portuguese businessman, poet, caricaturist and collector, who dedicated his life to acquire the most beautiful objects and designed his own house museum. The museum features an impressive collection of paintings from the XVI to the XX century (particularly XIX and XX Naturalism), religious sculptures, ceramics and the most remarkable carved wood pieces coming from Portuguese churches raided during the Republic period. The house is densely covered in carvings, doors, altars, mirrors, paintings, sculpture and other object of art. Francesco had an interesting vision of placing paintings or even door panels on the ceilings and creating impression of doorway where there was none. Maybe he used them as portals? Looking modestly from the outside, once you step in, you feel transported to a different dimension. The visit was surely the highlight of our stay, as I love little, quirky collections and small museums created with much love. Book your visit directly with the museum by emailing se@mnsr.dgpc.pt as the entry fee is as little as 2 euro. You can also find an experience on AirBnB but this will cost you 12 euros.

Serralves Museum of Modern Art and Miro Exhibition

https://www.serralves.pt/en/

I have mixed feelings when it comes to modern art… You know, I feel like artists forgot that art should lift the spirit up, bring some light, beauty, can serve a higher purpose. At least in my understanding. Amid that I chose to visit the Serralves because it offers modern art museum, a dreamy-looking Art Deco villa and extensive gardens perfect to explore on a sunny January day. I saw the first magnolia blossom this year! The entry fee of 20 Euro for all seems not that much. To my surprise, the villa showed a large collection of paintings by Joan Miro, such a positive, colorful and happy artist. This was defenetly the highlight of the visit. We saw some sculptures in the gardens, a headache-causing “immersive experience” in a pavilion designed by a Japanese artist (don’t go!) and walked on a tree-top walkaway, which was fun. The museum itself is housed in a wonderful white building with clean shapes, beautiful shadows and great to move around. The art… well. None of the displays made any great impression so I will skip that. Enjoy some shots from Miro and the gardens, as well as the villa, which has a magnificent bathroom made of pink marble.

If you like Joan Miro I invite you to watch an art lesson on this artist I recorded some time ago.

Lastly I wouldn’t be myself if I would skip any Harry Potter related places of interest. Livraria Lello is the most beautiful bookshop in the world! Really special interior as well as publishing. Just really crowded so arrive early 🙂

https://www.livrarialello.pt/en/home

To finish with some music, below is a wonderful moment we had while resting in the sun, with a street performer playing good tunes, drinking orange juice and soaking the atmosphere of the city.

Experience your radiant self through a powerful kriya and meditation accompanied by world music to harmonize heal and elevate.

EXPERIENCE YOUR RADIANT SELF
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Create your own happiness through movement, deep relaxation, voice activation and chanting accompanied by live music!

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We invite you to join us for an evening of powerful kundalini yoga kriya working with the breath and movement to connect deeply with your body accompanied by live frequency of tabla, djembe drums, harmonium, bansuri, guitar, ukulele, hand pan and chimes.

Followed by a restorative relaxation with soothing sounds of Tibetan bowls and high vibrational instruments, boosting the immune system and allowing deep healing to occur.

The evening will conclude by meditation & kirtan inviting you to activate your voice, open your throat chakra to chant sacred words of mantra as a tool for transformation, sending deep intentions to yourself, your loved ones and the whole world!

Expect Magic!

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JAS Musicals, 120 The Broadway, Southall, UB1 1QFN

Booking
aarabska@yahoo.com
07534240509

Warsztaty jogi Kundalini na Mazurach w magicznym miejscu czarujacym swym urokiem, kolorem, smakiem i atmosfera. Lipowy Dom.

Polozony w bardzo cichym i urokliwym zakatku mazurkich krajobrazow nad samym jeziorem Majcz Wielki zachwyca na wiele sposobow. Kapiele w jeziorze sa odswiezajace po dniu pelnym cwiczen jogi i oddechu z Duch Jogi Kundalini, wspaniale jedzonko przyrzadzone z dobroci ogrodkowych przez artystyczne dusze, a dom otula wygoda, bezpieczenstwem, pieknem i stylem. Miejsce tworza artystyczne dusze, Magda i Radek, ktorzy takze zajmuja sie wszelakimi masazami, RaMa Tindaya Love Project, w kuchni znajdziecie Anie Blauth, ktora rowniez tworzy piekna sztuke, a kreatywny duch Agnieszki, osoby ktora zbudowala Lipowy Dom, mozna odczuc w kazdym jego zakatku.

Warto wspomniec dlaczego tu zawitalismy. Ananda zostala poproszona by wspoltworzyc warsztaty jogi kundali z Lukaszem, ktory od wielu lat prowadzi zajecia (rowniez online, wiec dolaczej z kazdego miejsca na swiecie) i warsztaty. Moja milosc do tego stylu jogi, do mantr z tej tradycji zaczela sie ponad dekade temu i bylam przeszczesliwa, ze mozemy zapewnic muzyczna oprawe warsztatom. Bedzie koncert, wspolne spiewanie mantr, ognisko z graniem na bebnach, delikatne dzwieki muzyki na zywo do porannej praktyki, a na zakonczenie wraz z Lukaszem zagramy relaksujacy koncert na instrumentach wysokowibracyjnych. Wspanialy czas i wielka wdziecznosc dla Lukasza, gospodarzy Lipowego Domu i wszystkich uczestnikow warsztatow za wspoltworzenie przestrzeni cudu.

Wahe Guru!

Kundalini yoga retreat at the most magical location charming with colors, flavours, sounds and atmosphere. Check it out for yourself! We fell in love with this cottage on hill with blue shutters, surrounded by flowers, herbs, birdsong and a picturesque lake. The place is created by artistic souls, who bring so much harmony here, so much peace and love, that once you enter through the blue door, you feel transported to a different dimension. The food is prepared according to seasonal local produce, in a light and delightful way. Anna Blauth, one of the chefs here, is an artist, which is reflected in the dishes created with fantasy and imagination. Magda and Radek, the hosts, are also masseurs, so you can sign up for a relaxing session while enjoying your time at Lipowy Dom.

The reason for our visit here is the Kundalini Yoga retreat organised by the amazing kundaliniyogaspirit, Lukasz, who shares the expertise in yoga, breathwork and sound healing. Ananda joined Lukasz to play concerts, share mantras and create special live soundscapes during yoga sessions. We feel overflowing with gratitude that we can be here, meet all the amazing people, relax in the most enchanting polish landscape and bring our music to share.

You can join Lukasz in his online school of kundalini yoga, just check out his Facebook profile below. Do have a look at Anna’s art and a beautiful page of Lipowy Dom, the magical place where all this is happening…

https://www.lipowydom.pl/

https://www.facebook.com/kundaliniyogaspirit

https://www.facebook.com/ramatindaya/

https://www.instagram.com/anna.blauth/