For musician Sharanjeet Singh Mand, life took on a new, colourful meaning when, as a child, he first picked up a sitar.
The experience, he said, showed the way toward finding love, peace and 'nirvana' (liberation).
"Life is mundane," he said. "Everyone is running the same loop — but I wanted to take a scenic route."
Music, for him, radiates positivity and adds colour. In hopes of passing on that positive energy, the musician decided in 2019 to establish his non-profit school, Gurukul Canada, which is based in Surrey.
Three years later, he is joining hands with his teacher, Pandit Dr. Harvinder Sharma, for a performance on Sunday, Oct. 2, in which the Guru-Sishya (teacher-disciple) pair will perform a Sitar duet at Burnaby's Michael J. Fox theatre.
Sharma, who has flown from Jalandhar, India, for the concert, has been a regular performer in Canada for a decade. "The audiences here don't have inhibitions," he said. "They are willing to surrender themselves to the music."
He said music is the language of soul. To understand it, he added, the trick is to close your eyes and listen through your soul instead of your ears.
Mand said that he is fortunate to play with his master, as opportunities to do so are hard to come by. They hope that the concert will inspire and empower people to understand the beauty of life, and help bring love and peace to the community.
Raga and beyond
Where: Michael J. Fox theatre, 7373 McPherson Ave., Burnaby
When: Sunday, Oct. 2, 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $35 per ticket; $30 for Seniors and students; VIP $50. For tickets, visit the website.
