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Mandala

The word 'Mandala' has come to mean a picture pattern that is symbolically representative of the greater Universe. To focus on it is to be induced into an inner space, in order to achieve ONENESS WITH THE ALL.

That is what Mandala seeks to induce in its audiences. It plays dance music from all over the world, our ‘one world’. They groove to the beats of Africa with Alpha Blondy and Habib Koite; Islander’s O-Shen, Matato’a, and Te Vaka; the Arabic rhythms of Hisham Abbas and Amr Diab; Indian; Pakistani; Latin; Hungarian gypsy; French; Irish; Israeli and Klesmer.

Listening to them is a cultural tour of the world, and a challenge to bring your dance body in with the different styles of each culture. It is FUN FUN FUN to be global!!

: Mandala at the 2007 Cobargo Folk Festival in a previous incarnation.

The Musicians

: We found Cousin Dave under a bridge playing a tin can. He seemed happy enough to come along with us. He and Danny and Nadine make a big groovy noise.

: Arati could always hear a heavenly sound of violin playing through the wall. She thought it to be an angel indicating the necessary violin tones needed for Mandala, but then she realised it was actually earthly Ross Smithard in the room next door. At last!!

: Andrew Florence played percussion, guitar and oud for amazing local Arabic drumming group, Tabouli. We all waited hidden until none of the guards were watching, and then we stole him and ran. Now we have very very cool bass!

: Bored with her shell collection, Arati George began to collect musicians. She loved to sing music from other cultures but she needed a whole incredible showcase of sound that all the world would want to come together and revel in.

: Arati spotted Danny on the side of the road rythmically swinging his legs out of his Kombi. Detecting that special Mandala beat, she picked him up and through him into her car with the others.

: Jo Dodds is a dynamique dancer orientale, furnishing the heat in the ensemble with her luscious moves and rich backing vocal diva-nity.

: Barbara Keogh has been singing in blissful acapella ensembles for years, She adds her sweet true harmonies. and a sassy cool dry clever wit.

: Ian Bartholomew lived quietly over the road from Mandala Band Headquarters (MBH), when the Mandala undertow carried him adrift. Next thing his sensitive viola and guitar were adding beautiful undertones to the Mandala sound.

: Gorgeous Nadine adds her strong rhythms to the band with Arabic and African drums, bringing up the accoustic percussion to top velocity.

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