Devotion. And Then Some..

Night events at BaliSpirit Festival are special.

As the warm up to the events on main stage, with the big lights, the mega sound system, and the whole town showing up, Arma Water Gardens hosts a slightly smaller and more intimate crowd for devotional music. Amidst spotlit lily ponds, Balinese sculptures and the darkened garden, renowned world musicians had the crowd swaying and praying last night.

The evening began with Ubud’s own Shervin Boloorian, Lindsey Wise, Kokopelli Kailash and Pepe Danza offering sacred world music, and sound medicine. They sang;

‘The water is healing my body, the water is strong 
The fire is healing my body, the fire is strong 
The sun is healing my body, the sun is strong.’

..while Karina Karverina danced and twirled mesmerically before us. The growing crowd were quiet. Still. Collecting themselves after a day of classes, torrential downpours and the corresponding mud!

Next, a truly special line up – Tahir Qawaal Faridi and his band. From the lineage of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, this man is a master of his craft. With his wife beside him, their lives of devotion to ancient Sufi prayer are evident, moving and inspiring. The still crowd began to stir, as the space silently filled. Qawaali music taps you into the prayers of the ancients, the poems of Rumi and Hafiz set to music – so many steps back in time.

And then Kevin James. Our Kevin James. Because really Ubud feels that Kevin is ours. Something happens when he is here. His team set up candles and mandalas and his team of faithfuls took front circle-row. With everyone holding hands, singing 3 strong Aums, we were united in sound and breathe.

The catalyst, the man who whips people into a fervor, is his wing man Kim Kindersley. His natural excitement, whooping and clapping has people on their feet, hands in the air, singing loud. The simplicity of lyrics, emotion and movement are transformative every time. There are no clever tricks or no fancy stage show. This is community united in sound and movement.

Devotion. And then some..

Written by : Suki Zoe