(Trinidad Guardian) On Tuesday (Carnival Tuesday), soca superstar Machel Montano will perform at the biggest event of his career, the MahaShivRatri celebrations, at the Isha Yoga Center in India. MahaShivRatri is one of the largest and most sacred festivals in India, and the gathering at Isha Yoga Center attracted more than 120 million people, in person and online in 2021.
A media release said for Montano this will not be just another stage appearance, as it is deeply connected to his own spiritual journey, upon which he has embarked with his wife, Renee and his manager, Che Kothari.
“In fact, for the past seven months, Montano has been in India participating in a yoga programme (Sadhanapada) at the Isha Yoga Center, under the tutelage of Sadhguru, Yogi, mystic, and one of the most influential visionaries of our time. At MahaShivRatri, Sadhguru leads the night-long festival of meditation, music and dance.”
The media release said on the night, Montano will perform new music from his label MONK music, a collaboration between himself and Marge Blackman titled “Touch The Ground” which is featured on the Save Soil Riddim produced by DJ Private Ryan.
“It is one of the most profound moments of my life, to be performing at this festival. After 40 years in the music industry, I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for this opportunity and for what it represents on a global level,” Montano said when asked about the performance.
Hindu community pleased
News of Monatano’s impending performance was met with joy and congratulations by the Hindu community.
A media release by Pundit Satyanand Maharaj, spiritual head Satya Anand Ashram said even though Montano began his musical journey with calypso and soca, it has led him to embrace Hinduism.
“On what would have been previously know as Machel Monday, a time when many Hindus would choose to attend Machel’s fete rather than Maha Shivaratri the opposite is now happening. Machel is now setting a positive example, and I hope Hindus will follow his example with equal fervour and attend mandirs across the land.This is a time when Hindus will fast and keep vigil for the night making offerings on the lingum of Lord Shiva.”
The release said Sanatan Dharma has a place for everyone, and the Hindu community welcomes Montano with open arms.
“It does not matter what your past was. Everyone has a past. Sanatan Dharma encourages people to seek the divine, to write a new future for yourself.”