Rajan Spolia

My ambition has always been to be the type of musician who can deeply move the listener in a very profound way….

just like all my favourite musicians have moved me. 

Listen to and download the CDs now.

Jacinta Luis Live in Concert at Oscar Peterson Concert Hall

Jacinta Luis, while giving life to Jazz with magical blend of the lovely music of Tanzania, melodic folk songs and Latin influences of Portuguese music in Goa, delivered an excellent concert with her Jazz Quintet: Jacinta Luis, piano & vocals; Wali Muhammad, drums; Al McLean, saxophone; Carlos Jimenez, guitar; and Stephane Crete on bass.
          A large crowd was mesmerized at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall on October 30th as the concert continued in two parts.
          A jazzy woman with jazzy voice enthralled the audience with her ‘sur’ and ‘taal’, her melodies and rhythms.
          Her song for Ian was quite touchy and she touched the audience with that song. Triumphing her attempts at learning Konkani, her number on ‘hanv saiba’ was quite catchy and simply superb. She brought Goa to Montreal.
          Innovative and creative, her sweet and melodious voice carries tunes extremely well. And her band members only brought out the best in her and them as the musical synchronicity accompanied the vocals of Jacinta. Musical talent brought together by chance, or by musical heaven!
          I hadn’t listened to jazz in a while and the concert just brought back passe memories of Montreal Jazz life. Al McLean on saxophone was magical. Wali on drums was excellent.
          ‘Pata Pata’, a hit number of South African singer Miriam Makeba, really caught imagination of the audience as Jacinta encouraged them to sing along and participate in the song. Guitar by Carlos Jimenez was phenomenal and Stephane Cete did a great job on bass.
          A music teacher at Dawson College, Jacinta lets her hair down as she takes her audience on a journey around the world of music. Jazz suits her attire.
          The concert was fantastic and so was Jacinta Luis.

“Absolutely lovely, Jacinta! You have such a presence on stage! :)” - Desiree Pinto.
           “Congratulations on a wonderful performance! You and your musicians are fantastic! I really enjoyed the concert and can't wait for the next one. Cheers!” - Anne-Marie Di Michele.
          “Congrats Jacinta! Kudos to your fabulous performance, you rock the whole audience, enjoyed listen to your beautiful voice, Your Konkanie songs were just super, and all your musicians were amazing especially the Drummer... Cheers!!!” - Mary Silveira.
                                                                                                                                                                                                Dr. Monika Spolia Bharat Times November 2010

Jacinta Luis Launches her new CD, Resurgence

Wednesday, October 6, 2010 – Resurgence, the CD by The Jacinta Luis Quintet, was launched at the Upstairs Jazz Bar on Mackay street in Montreal. The entire ensemble of The Jazz Quintet - Jacinta Luis, piano & vocals; Wali Muhammad, drums; Al McLean, saxophone; Carlos Jimenez, guitar; and Stephane Crete on bass – was present and ready to jazz on.
          Jacinta Luis, a mesmerizing singer, is at her best as she sings the melodies and tunes of her melting pot of heritage. She has so wonderfully combined the lovely music of Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania (her country of birth); Goa, India (the land of her ancestors); and Montreal, Quebec, Canada (her adopted country).
          So many rich creative cultural traditions are revived in her musicals as she sings in her melodious sweet voice in English, in Goan language Konkani, in Xhosa language and in Moliere. Her album includes ‘Pata Pata’, written in Xhosa in 1967 and Miram Makeba’s internationally most successful track; and ‘a sahiba poto riveta’, a famous folk song in Konkani from Goa.
          She breathes life into the lyrics as the words leave her lips. The richness of multicultural music she provides is incredible. One journeys throughout the world just by listening to her songs.
          Listening to Jacinta Luis sing at the Upstairs Jazz Bar was an enthralling experience. She manipulated the piano keys with such ease and professionalism as she breathed song after song tantalizing audience with her profound musical profusion.
          There is still a chance to listen to her during her concert on October 30th at the Oscar Peterson Hall, Loyola Campus (see the ad).
                                                                                                                                                                                              Dr. Monika Spolia (Bharat Times October 2010)

Hindus welcome Gaga’s interest in Hinduism & reincarnation

1 July 2011

Hindus have welcomed American pop star Lady Gaga’s reported interest in Hinduism and reincarnation.

          In an interview published in an Indian daily, Gaga (Born This Way), 25, was quoted as saying: “I actually find that a lot of my philosophies about art are mirrored in the Hindu religion. The idea of reincarnation.”

          Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that as Lady Gaga explored Hinduism further, she would appreciate rich, diverse and long tradition of Hindu philosophy; and its interpretation of the nature of reality.

          Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that if Gaga needed any help in deeper Hinduism exploration, he or other Hindu scholars would be glad to assist.

          Rajan Zed recommends Gaga to realize the Self. Ancient Hindu scripture Katha Upanishad points out that when wise realize the Self, they go beyond sorrow. Self is supreme and those who meditate on Self are freed from the cycle of birth and death. When one realizes Self, there is nothing else to be known, Zed quotes.

          Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta), who was reportedly raised as Roman Catholic, has won five Grammys and her album “Born This Way” sold one million copies in five days on iTunes.

          Oscar winner Hollywood star Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman) joined the Hindu fold in the recent past. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

Uma Thurman’s brother, who acted in dozens of films, is yoga teacher & healer now

June 28, 2011

Dechen Thurman, a Hollywood actor and younger brother of Oscar nominated Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction), is a yoga teacher and healer now.

          Dechen, 38, a Harvard graduate who acted in over two-dozen movies including “This Is Not an Exit”, is reportedly teaching yoga in Germany and at an “intensive retreat” in Italy in July; besides Wanderlust Yoga Festival, New York Yoga Journal Conference, and the Yoga Conference Germany. Last summer he taught open-air yoga classes at Berlin Yoga Festival to few hundred yogis.

          He is described as “a holistic healer based in New York City” who “creates a delicious sense of playfulness in his yoga classes”. He is one of the 64 listed teaching faculty of New York Jivamukti Yoga School, where he is an advanced certified yoga teacher. He is said to have met His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet at age seven in Dharamsala (India).

          Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, welcoming Dechen Thurman to yoga fold, urged Hollywood celebrities to explore the rich philosophical thought offered by Hinduism and the powerhouse of yoga to deal with the pressures of the industry and to achieve their spiritual goals. If they need assistance in their exploration, he or other Hindu scholars would gladly help, Zed added.

          Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that yoga is referred as “a living fossil” whose traces went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization. According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical. Yoga was based on an eightfold path to direct the practitioner from awareness of the external world to a focus on the inner, Zed pointed out.

          Jivamukti Yoga Centers; located in downtown New York (USA), Berlin (Germany), Munich (Germany), London (United Kingdom), and Charleston (USA); claim to be “places for spiritual gathering that offer vigorous Hatha Yoga classes with an emphasis on the Source teachings from such ancient texts as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Upanishads.”

Hong Kong Film Festival to pay tribute to India’s Guru Dutt

March 15, 2010 - The prestigious 34th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), from March 21 to April six, will pay special tribute to India’s late actor-director-producer-writer Guru Dutt, whom it calls “Bollywood Guru”.
Festival will showcase his “Kaagaz Ke Phool” (1959, with Waheeda Rehman), “Mr.  & Mrs. 55” (1955, with Madhubala), “Sahib Bibi aur Gulam” (1962, with Meena Kumari & Waheeda Rahman), and “Pyaasa” (1957, with Mala Sinha & Waheeda Rehman) films. While “Sahib Bibi aur Gulam” was directed by Abrar Alvi, rest were all directed by Filmfare Award winner Guru Dutt himself.
Commending HKIFF for honoring Guru Dutt, Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged India Government and large private conglomerates of India to promote independent cinema. India was full of creative and excellent filmmakers and they only needed an integrated effort in funding, encouragement, marketing/promotion, exposure in global avenues, and organization of world-level film festivals in India, Rajan Zed, who is chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, added.
Screening over 240 titles from over 50 countries in 11 major cultural venues across the territory, HKIFF claims to be one of Asia’s most reputable platforms for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch new works and experience outstanding films. Wilfred Wong and Ann Hui are Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively of Board of Directors of HKIFF Society. Its tagline is: "Uniting the World through Film".

Bharat Times March 2010 issue

David Lynch to shoot film about TM guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India

November 18, 2009 - Oscar nominated David Lynch (Mulholland Dr.) will make a film about Transcendental Meditation (TM) guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, according to reports.
          He will reportedly visit India next month in this connection. This documentary film about the life and teachings/knowledge of Maharishi will involve interviews with people, including a 97-year man associated with Maharishi, reports suggest.
          David Keith Lynch, 63, has been attempting to introduce TM in schools globally. The Guardian, British daily newspaper from London, described Lynch as "the most important director of this era.”
          Welcoming Lynch to India for this new venture, acclaimed Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged world filmmakers to explore many finer and deeper things India offered, instead of just focusing on poverty and crime. Zed, who is chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, pointed out that planet’s most multidimensional country India had snowcapped mountains, palm-fringed and sun-washed beaches, glorious temples, colorful festivals, rich philosophy and spirituality, abundant historical sites, wildlife safaris, recharging treks, historic trade routes, cultural wealth, etc.
          Maharishi, who died last year at an age of about 91, introduced TM technique worldwide, and wished to change the world with it. He initiated “The Beatles” and was associated with various celebrities like American rockers “The Beach Boys”, musician Mick Jagger, hairdresser Vidal Sassoon, Golden Globe winner Mia Farrow (Rosemary’s Baby), etc. He reportedly established about one thousand TM centers worldwide and had about four million followers.

Bharat Times December 2009 issue

Only a filmmaker who once declared himself "king of the world" would have the ego to attempt something like Avatar, a nearly three-hour movie with an estimated $300-million US price tag that features characters who look like pointy-eared castoffs from the Blue Man Group.
          Avatar is every bit as bloated and cornball as you'd expect from the man who made Titanic (1997), but that won't matter much once viewers slap on their 3-D shades and experience the fully realized universe James Cameron has spent the better part of the past 12 years creating.
          The movie begins in the year 2154, when everyone on ecologically bankrupt Earth has a vested interest in a distant planet named Pandora. In addition to studying its flora and fauna, scientist Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) wants to improve relations with Pandora's inhabitants, a band of lanky blue natives known as the Na'vi tribe. Grace's corporate boss, Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi), outwardly endorses this well-meaning endeavour, but is far more interested in mining the valuable mineral, unobtainium, that lies nestled beneath the Na'vi's carefully guarded home turf. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic ex-Marine whose DNA makes him a perfect candidate for Grace's innovative avatar program. By lying down in long cylindrical tubes — which look like MRI machines crossed with tanning beds — the program's members can be transported. While their bodies remain safely on Earth, their minds inhabit and control half-human, half-Na'vi blue avatars that roam freely in the lush Pandora forests. Jake is hooked from the moment his avatar arrives on Pandora, and we can hardly blame him. The planet is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, with Na'vis living inside enormous treetops, evading rhino beasts with hammerhead snouts or riding giant pterodactyl horses across tufty pink skies that evoke a Roxy Music album cover. This is pure fantasy, and there's something a little dizzying about how complete this world feels, as if Cameron is downloading images straight out of his imagination onto the screen.

Toronto to host Bollywood awards show

Toronto (Ontario, Canada) will host the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards in 2011.The four-day event from June 16-19 is claimed to attract over 500 leading names from India’s film industry and a worldwide television audience of over 350 million. Starting with London (United Kingdom) in 2000, these annual Awards events have been held in South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and People’s Republic of China. IIFA Awards are said to recognize, honor and celebrate the achievements of India’s film industry.

Toronto events will reportedly include IIFA Awards gala, World Film Premiere and Film Festival, Global Business Forum, Film Workshop, Charity Fashion Show and Post Show Party. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, who was in Mumbai (India), reportedly thinks of it as an “honour for us to score this coup”, and adds, “Bollywood is quickly becoming as mainstream as Hollywood”.

Welcoming Toronto’s move to host Awards events, acclaimed Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was time now for American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize India’s contribution to world cinema and introduce a new award category of “Best Bollywood Film” in Oscars for films made in India. This gesture would bring more credibility to Oscars also in the international arena, as it was long overdue, Zed, who is chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, added.

Toronto is North America’s third largest center for film and television production and home of Toronto International Film Festival. About 600,000 residents of Greater Toronto area have roots in India. Bollywood is said to be producing about double the number of movies than Hollywood and about four billion cinema tickets are sold annually in India.

Mumbai based IIFA endeavors to promote Indian cinema and showcase its talent globally. Its founder-directors are Andre Timmins, Viraf Sarkari, and Sabbas Joseph. Its Advisory Board boasts of big Bollywood names: Amitabh Bachchan (Brand Ambassador), David Dhawan, J.P. Dutta, Jaya Bachchan, Karan Johar, Manmohan Shetty, Pahlaj Nihalani, Ramesh Sippy, Shyam Shroff, and Vinod Khanna.
12-09-2009 / Zed / Nevada

Roughly 24 percent American adults believe in reincarnation and a similar number believe in yoga as a spiritual practice, according to a new poll by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life.

This poll also found out that roughly one-quarter of adults express belief in tenets of certain Eastern religions and 25% profess belief in astrology (that the position of the stars and planets can affect people's lives). The poll finds that large numbers of Americans engage in multiple religious practices, mixing elements of diverse traditions.

Prestigious newsmagazine “Newsweek” headlined an article recently as “We Are All Hindus Now”, saying “U.S. Views on God and Life Are Turning Hindu”. Written by its religion editor Lisa Miller, it said, “…recent poll data show that conceptually, at least, we are slowly becoming more like Hindus and less like traditional Christians in the ways we think about God, our selves, each other, and eternity.”

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, welcoming the Forum findings, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that community was glad that rich philosophical thought of Hinduism was being recognized and accepted widely outside the Hindu circles also.

Rajan Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, further says that religion is a complex component of human life and a deeper, more inclusive and broader understanding of religion is needed. We are all looking for the truth and in our joint search for the truth, we can learn from one another and thus come closer to the truth. We should seek unity that celebrates diversity. Dialogue brings us mutual enrichment and helps us overcome the prejudices passed on to us by previous generations.

Yoga is one of the six systems of orthodox Hindu philosophy. Reincarnation is a central tenet of Hinduism. Astrology has played a great role in Hinduism since ancient times.

Directed by Luis Lugo, The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, based in Washington DC and launched in 2001, seeks to promote a deeper understanding of issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs. The Forum is a project of the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. The Center in turn is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts whose President is Rebecca W. Rimel. Newsweek, published in four English language and 12 global editions, has a worldwide circulation of over four million.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents, including about 2.3 million in the USA. Moksha (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
Zed / Nevada / December 2009

Hindus are protesting against the Fox News channel for remarks that river Ganges (whom Hindus consider holy) “sounds like a disease”.

Channel’s Glenn Beck, talking about India in December nine segment titled “This is the best America has to offer?” of his opinion show “The One Thing”, said: “One big river they have there, that sounds like a disease. Come on it does. I mean if somebody said, I am sorry, you have a really bad case of Ganges.”

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Ganges was sacred to one billion Hindus worldwide and such remarks were very hurtful to the devotees. Besides apparently denigrating the religion, it was belittling the entire community.

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged Fox and its owner News Corporation to be more sensitive when handling faith related subjects, as television was a forceful medium. He asked News Corporation Chairman Rupert Murdoch, Fox Chairman Roger Ailes and Glenn Beck to issue a statement on this matter.

Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly. No faith, larger or smaller, should be ridiculed at, Rajan Zed pointed out.

Meanwhile Bhavna Shinde of Forum for Hindu Awakening, in a communiqué to News Corporation and Fox News, protested the insensitivity of frivolous and derogatory reference to the holy river, and urged greater sensitivity to faith sentiments. She has also reportedly sent a communiqué to Federal Communications Commission on this issue.

It is believed that bath in the sacred Ganges purifies one of all sin, and its water if taken daily confers immortality. It finds mention in Rig-Veda; the oldest scripture of the world still in common use, dated from around 1,500 BCE. Kumbh Mela, starting next month, will see an expected influx of about 100 million people from world over coming to take a dip in Ganges.

News Corporation is a diversified global media company with operations in film, television, cable,  satellite broadcast, integrated marketing, newspapers and information services, book publishing, etc., and assets of about $55 billion. Fox News is reportedly available to about 102 million households.
Zed / Nevada / December 2009

Oscar winner musician A.R. Rahman’s (Slumdog Millionaire) KM Music Conservatory is reportedly attempting to recreate a world-class orchestra for the enjoyment of India’s people.

Rahman says: “Currently Indian composers must go abroad to find orchestras to record. The vision of KM Music Conservatory is to eliminate this obstacle and provide an exemplary orchestra here in India”.

With the aspiration of producing the KM Symphony Orchestra, KM Music Conservatory trains students to become highly proficient musicians. The first of its kind in India, KM Music Conservatory claims to meet international standards of music education.

Conservatory already offers Preparatory Program (2-5 years), Foundation Program (1-2 years), and Degree Program (three years) under affiliation of Middlesex University in United Kingdom (UK), and is planning “Masters Program” and a “Diploma in Indian Music and Music Technology”. Conservatory will also teach entertainment icon Michael Jackson as a subject, according to reports.  Many faculty members have degrees from USA and UK. Sound editor Joe E. Rand (Titanic) has lectured here besides demonstration by Vienna Chamber Orchestra.

Founded by Rahman (who is also its Principal), KM Music Conservatory in Kodambakkam area of Chennai in Tamil Nadu state of India envisions expanding the horizon of musicians in India by offering education in both Indian and Western music besides music technology and its mission is to provide students with a strong artistic, intellectual, and technical foundation. T. Selvakumar is the Managing Director of this international school of music and music technology whose tagline is "Become the Future of Music".

Acclaimed Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed has applauded Rahman for universality in his music, successfully bringing India’s music on global map, and taking Indian film music to new heights. Zed, who is the chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged Rahman to help nourish the next generation with the richness of Indian music which had produced musical authorities like Dattila (190 AD), Amir Khusrau, Naik-gopal, Puramdaradasa, Tansen, Pundarika-vitthal, Govind Dikshitar, Ramdas,  Venkatamakhin, Tyagaraja, Pandit Bhatkhande, etc.

Rahman, who has reportedly recorded sales of over 300 million, was called “Mozart of Madras'' by Time magazine. Rahman sees music “as a way to connect to spirituality and embrace it” and for “creating harmony in troubled times”.
Zed / Nevada / December 2009

She was not even in India when raid to save the children happened, this NGO reportedly said. It reportedly rescued 50 trafficked children from India’s capital Delhi on December eight.

Lohan’s ‘tweet—“Over 40 Children saved so far...... Within one day's work...... This is what life is about..... Doing THIS is a life worth living!!!”—which was later removed, made headlines worldwide.

Other sensational ‘tweets’ she posted while in India which are now missing, include: ““traffiking is a big issue here…”, “Keep telling people about what's going on in all 2nd and 3rd world countries…”

Lohan reportedly arrived in India on Wednesday as a part of BBC Three project on child trafficking.

Acclaimed Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, criticized Lohan for making sensational statements without giving any specifics which later mysteriously disappeared.

Zed, who is chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, said that it was wonderful that Lohan was taking up what appeared to be a noble cause as long as she performed it as selfless service and did it without expecting any personal reward or hidden agenda. Quoting from ancient Sanskrit scripture Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), Zed suggested Lohan to have self-discipline as those who were self-conquered lived in peace.

According to reports, during her India trip, Lohan visited Sunderbans (West Bengal); her eyes became tearful and she sobbed while visiting a trafficking victims home in Narendrapur and she promised inmates to send back gifts; visited children rehabilitation center in Delhi area; was spotted wearing a bindi (small round vermillion mark on forehead); stayed in Taj Bengal (luxury hotel in downtown Kolkata); had a heated debate with her security guard about politics; and went around mostly unnoticed. She reportedly had a frugal dinner and a massage therapist was kept handy for her in Kolkata.

A BBC spokesman reportedly said: “Lindsay Lohan has just completed filming in India for a BBC Three project on child trafficking”. BBC claims to make this documentary of high quality, informative and engaging and was reportedly using “well known faces” to engage younger audiences with subjects they don't usually relish.

MTV Award winner American actress-singer-model Lindsay Dee Lohan, 23, who has topped Maxim’s “Hot 100”, was reportedly excited about this charity project and wanted to “make the difference”.
Zed / Nevada / December 2009

America mein WAAR

Robert: America mein WAAR ho gaya boss!!!
Ajit: U.S mein kyaa rakhaa hai Bloody Fool!!! India mein roz “WAAR” hota hai. Bolo kaise???
Robert: Nahin maaloom Boss!!!
Ajit: Arre ulloo!!! SOMWAAR, MANGALWAAR, BUDHWAAR…

Robert iss kuttay ko microprocessor may daal do! Bit by bit mur jaaya gaa saala!

Robert iss harami ko liquid oxygen may daal do! Liquid issay jeenay nahi day gaa, oxygen issay marnay nahi day gaa!

Robert, Dayna (Diana) ko thoda khatta khila do, yeh dayna se daynasour bhi ho jayegi, phir extinct bhi...

Robert, isey thodi shampane pila do, paheley shame sey, phir pane sey mar jayegaa...

Robert, isey peekak paisan pila do, yeh more sey no-more ho jayegaa...

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