By Kardama Muni Das
On November 7, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland, students from Dr. Bhadra Rupa’s School of Kirtan Performance and Composition performed their own original compositions (music and lyrics) inspired by the Ramayana at the United Nations in Geneva (UNOG). The event celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the fifth annual “Faith for Rights” meeting. This was the only musical performance during the celebration.
Dr. Bhadra Rupa introduced the presentation by explaining the episodes of the Ramayana in which his students were inspired to write their own music and lyrics. His speech was focused on the need to cultivate inner transformation.
The audience of parliamentarians, diplomats, UN Treaty Body members, Special Rapporteurs, faith-based actors, social media companies, and civil society members at UNOG. were visibly moved by the children’s singing and playing instruments such as violin, piano, flute, cajon, and guitar. Dr. Bhadra Rupa accompanied the children on his unique flute invention, a fusion of ancient and modern flutes and a symbol of interfaith harmony.
The audience responded with enthusiastic applause when the senior representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations advised them to look forward to a concert of Dr. Bhadra Rupa’s compositions inspired by Gita Govinda guided by his spiritual leader, Jayapataka Swami.
After singing and playing, each child addressed the audience on the significance of the Geneva Declaration and interfaith perspectives. The organizers extended invitations for future events.
Dr. Bhadra Rupa, a member of the research team at the University of Geneva’s educational sciences faculty, shared insights from his five-year research project in composition based on oral tradition. For his flute invention he was awarded with a bachelor’s degree (solo performance) and two master’s degrees in education by Lund University, Sweden.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/kirtan-performance-and-composition-celebrates-childrens-rights-declaration-at-the-un-in-geneva/
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