3RD EAR PRESENTS: Mystic Songs of India - Exploring the Wisdom & Poetry of Kabir Through Folk Songs

Name: 3RD EAR PRESENTS: Mystic Songs of India - Exploring the Wisdom & Poetry of Kabir Through Folk Songs
Start: 2026-05-03T18:00:00-07:00
Location: The Alembic

Schedule

Sun, 03 May, 2026 at 06:00 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

The Alembic | Berkeley, CA

In this immersive workshop, we explore the deeper esoteric meanings within the poetry of Indian mystic saints such as Kabir and Guru Nanak through the indigenous folk songs of the Malwa region of Central India. These songs belong to a living oral tradition that has been carried forward for over 600 years.
Priyal will guide us through this journey by singing and interpreting these songs while accompanying himself on traditional instruments like the Tambura and Kartaal. Printed translations will be provided, allowing participants to follow along and join in the singing if they wish. After each song, we will pause for reflection, creating space for participants to share whatever arises within them. We will also spend time in shared silence, gently turning inward to experience the stillness pointed to in the songs.
Priyal will also share stories from the life of Kabir, insights into India’s oral traditions, and reflections on his own journey — how he encountered his Guru and how these teachings have shaped his life. Through song, storytelling, collective reflection, and silence, this workshop invites us to touch something deeper within ourselves — a space where boundaries soften, and a sense of oneness with each other and the world begins to emerge.
About Priyal Maheshwari:
Priyal Maheshwari is a musician and yoga teacher whose journey bridges the worlds of science, spirituality, and the arts. After graduating from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur and spending six years in the IT industry, he felt an inner calling to step away from the corporate path and dedicate his life to the transformative power of music and wellness practices. Through his work, Priyal integrates music, yoga, and meditation as tools for healing and self-discovery. His approach helps people reconnect with the deeper aspects of their being and cultivate a more balanced, integrated way of living.
Alongside extensive training in classical music, Priyal has immersed himself in the oral traditions of saint poets such as Kabir, Nanak, and Meera. He continues to learn directly from PadmaShri Prahlad Singh Tipanya ji, one of the foremost carriers of Kabir’s singing tradition from the Malwa region of Central India. These teachings have deeply shaped Priyal’s own musical journey, grounding it in devotion, simplicity, and the timeless wisdom of the saints.
Priyal regularly shares his music in concerts, satsangs, and community gatherings. He also organizes retreats and collaborative events with Prahlad ji and his ensemble, creating spaces where participants can experience the confluence of music, spirituality, and collective harmony.