March 2001

Open Gateway of Happiness
By Tony Ellis

It’s not every school that has music faculty from India teaching students the classical R gas of Gandharva Veda—those inspired musical compositions that have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years.

But this is Fairfield, Iowa, home of Maharishi University of Management. By 10 AM, Anup and Anita Ghosh are starting their first lesson of the day in the University’s Music Department. Since they are talented performers as well as professors, they’ve already spent two hours practicing this music, constantly refining their technique and creating beautiful improvisations within the structure of the Ragas they play and sing.

The Ghoshes spend each afternoon with the children at the Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment, teaching them the fundamentals of Maharishi Gandharva Veda music in lively and delightful classes. They especially love working with the younger students. "The melodies of Gandharva Veda produce such bliss in the children," says Anita. "When they learn to play at an early age, something gets structured in their physiology that is like a gateway of happiness for their whole lives."

Since 1986, the Ghoshes have participated in Maharishi Festivals of Music for World Peace on every continent. They’ve performed 11 concerts in Fairfield in the past six months, and toured with Pandit Debu Chaudhuri and his son, Prateek. This spring they’ll travel and perform with vocalist Sumitra Guha.

Anup and Anita will be faculty members for the next two years. Even though they have plenty of eager students in Fairfield, they look forward to teaching workshops in other cities, too.

Maybe it’s time to open a gateway of happiness in your town—through this ancient Vedic science—using music which brings bliss to the individual and peace to the world.

Lessons are available for all ages and musical background. To schedule a concert or workshop in your area, call 641- 472-7000, extension 5181.

Tony Ellis is a Governor of the Age of Enlightenment in Fairfield, Iowa