Kumbh Mela, rivers of life
Mar 23, 10:37 AM
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"This field recording was of the crowds of people at Kumbh Mela, in Pryagraj, India. This Hindu pilgrimage is celebrated every 6 or 12 years and is the largest gathering of people on earth with an estimated 400 million people attending earlier this year (2025). The festival is located at the flood plain of the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers. The water is an important aspect of this religious event -- where the flowing water has a divine energy representing spiritual sustenance. The sound of water flowing gently is included in the background of my piece along with the sounds of the huge crowds -- the sea of humanity -- that has gathered here. Woven throughout the sounds of these people, are traditional classical instruments, like the tabla and sitar to provide the piece with a background rhythm or pulse. And then perhaps most importantly, the voice of a female Indian classical singer is included and slowed down, which to me represents the significance of each person gathered here out of all these millions.
"I lived in India for one year awhile ago, and gained a deep respect for the significance of these religious holidays, festivals, and pilgrimages for the Hindus from the friends and colleagues I worked and spent time with. In some ways these massive religious events remind me by contrast of what has been lost in our calendar year traditions in the West, where the main holidays are simply opportunities to go shopping and buy stuff that no one needs. I appreciated the opportunity to work with this field recording of this year's Kumbh Mela pilgrimage, as a reminder of the importance of honouring my own family and cultural heritage, and of the importance of understanding that everyone has a place in the wonderful and awe inspiring varieties of cultures from around the world."
Kumbh Mela reimagined by Wayne DeFehr.
———————
This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world’s most famous sights.
Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage
"I lived in India for one year awhile ago, and gained a deep respect for the significance of these religious holidays, festivals, and pilgrimages for the Hindus from the friends and colleagues I worked and spent time with. In some ways these massive religious events remind me by contrast of what has been lost in our calendar year traditions in the West, where the main holidays are simply opportunities to go shopping and buy stuff that no one needs. I appreciated the opportunity to work with this field recording of this year's Kumbh Mela pilgrimage, as a reminder of the importance of honouring my own family and cultural heritage, and of the importance of understanding that everyone has a place in the wonderful and awe inspiring varieties of cultures from around the world."
Kumbh Mela reimagined by Wayne DeFehr.
———————
This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world’s most famous sights.
Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage