A Symphony of Temple Bells

Saturday, September 9, 2017 | 7:00 pm

First Congregational United Church of Christ

Washington, DC

A celebration of the unity of the arts in a performance of Indian classical and contemporary expression. Inspired by the vivid and poignant poetry from Satya Palaparty's A Symphony of Temple Bells, the performance amalgamates verse, music, dance, theatre and visual art.

A Symphony of Temple Bells, to us, is about harmony. After all, the title holds the word ‘symphony,’ which has been defined as “harmony of color.” Certainly, visual expression is at the core of all of Spilling Ink’s projects and hence, ‘color’ is appropriate. But then, what about temple bells? In arranging this program, we found a pathway to invoke the soulful, resounding, all encompassing, and positively energizing and overwhelming experience of witnessing oil lamps in the hands of pujaris, priests, circling Hindu deities, who rapidly chant mantras as the entire container of ancient stone, wisdom, and thought resounds and reverberates to the sound of ringing temple bells. A sense of the past, present and future comes together all at once in such moments.

“Poetry with the unity of arts had a great impact. Such programs can bring change and uplift society.”

— Audience Member

“A candlelight sings
loads of love evergreen.
Bouquet of wishes
a symphony of temple
bells for an autumnal heart.”

— Satya Palaparty, A Symphony of Temple Bells

“ ...the juxtaposition of the music, painting, narration and dance to the poems was innovative and interesting...the artistry in the concept, the stage decor, the costumes, the space was amazing...another extremely thoughtful, out-of the-box performance...truly innovative work...”

— Audience Member