ACF 1873: Chandrika Krishnamurthy releases third album, 'Soul March'

Grammy-nominated world musician Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon released her third album, ‘Soul March’ on April 16, 2013. More than 500 New Yorkers packed her album launch party, where Tandon performed a 20-minute set, on Monday, April 15 in New York University’s Grand Hall. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt March of 1930—a nonviolent protest made by thousands of people over ten days to challenge the British salt monopoly in colonial India—‘Soul March’ reinterprets the refrain sung by the marchers over 80 years ago: “Raghupathi Raghava Raja Ram.” On nine tracks, Tandon’s “limpid, serene voice with Indian classical inflections,” (NY Times) re-envisions the beloved melody with new raagas and rhythms.

Over 75 musicians came together to record the album in the U.S. and India, combining ancient traditional instruments like the ektara, dugdugi, and esraj with saxaphone, banjo, and piano to transcend musical boundaries. “The story of the Salt March is replayed in different parts of the globe, inspiring leaders, building movements big and small,” says Tandon. “Every one of us is on a quest—seeking freedom. 'Soul March' is a tribute to all these journeys.” Though “even if you’re not...seeking inner peace, [Tandon’s] vocals and melodies have a celebratory quality that move your hips with the same ease as they soothe your head” (New York Post).

Krishnamurthy (left) greets fans at album launch party in New York

Tandon’s previous album, ‘Soul Call,’ topped world music charts and was nominated for a 2011 Grammy. She has performed at Lincoln Center, Olympia Stadion in Berlin, St. John the Divine, and other venues worldwide. Tandon is also the founder of her own financial firm, serves on the Board of Trustees at New York University, Board of Overseers at NYU Stern School of Business, Dean's Council at NYU Wagner School of Public Service, President's Council on International Activities at Yale University, and is a humanitarian who is actively involved in the fields of arts, education and wellness. All of her albums are produced under Soul Chants Music, a not-for-profit label set up to build bridges between cultures and create harmony through music. Since its inception, Soul Chants has partnered with over 40 organizations, including universities, hospitals, and non-profits, and all net proceeds from album sales go towards benefiting organizations in the areas of education, arts, and wellness initiatives.

‘Soul March’ is available on www.amazon.com, and 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this album will support arts, women’s, and wellness causes. For more information about the artist, please visit www.soulchants.com.