He will perform for one night only in Johannesburg at the Gandhi Hall, Lenasia on Saturday, 5 May at 19:00. There are two performances in Durban – a sit-down dinner and concert in the Kendra Hall (hosted in association with Kendra) on Thursday, 10 May from 18:30 (tables of ten can be booked), and a performance in the Olive Convention Centre (Durban Ice Rink) on Sunday, 13 May at 16:00.

Vikram Hazra doesn't just play music; he opens up a doorway for his audiences to touch their own soul. His concerts evoke strong reactions from diverse audiences across the globe. Years of spiritual sadhana, (ego-transcending spiritual practice) along with uncompromising attention to tonal crafting and sound design, as well as the gift of an impeccable musical ear, have helped create Hazra’s unique sound. "Our style of spiritual music involves sculpting sound in such a way that the listener hears the silence contained within," he says.

From the simplest of Indian folk bhajans (Indian devotional song) to the compositions of Adi Shankaracharya; from Buddhists chants to African and African-American spirituals; from the philosophy of poet-saints like Kabeer, Meera, Raidas and Jaydev to contemporary blues and jazz, Hazra’s concerts seamlessly meld diverse styles into an organic whole.

Hazra is a writer, philosopher, media producer and social activist. He is programme director for the International Art of Living Foundation, and in this capacity, he travels across the world, conducting workshops on personal excellence for corporates, and initiating community development and service projects that provide basic amenities like safe drinking water, health care and education to underprivileged communities.

Hazra's concerts have drawn crowds of over 25 000 people in some parts of India. He has performed in over 30 countries, at venues ranging from London's Bloomsbury Theatre to Johannesburg's Linder Auditorium and Mumbai's Shanmukhananda Hall and NCPA Tata Theatre, and a host of international colleges. He has also made a host of recordings and has released an array of musical and inspirational CDs.

He has also accompanied Guru HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on delegations to countries as diverse as Pakistan and Mongolia, and has been a delegate at various international platforms including the United Nations Millennium World Peace Summit.

For his Africa concerts, his band comprises: Vikram Hazra (vocals, flute, electric guitar, nylon-string guitar and guitar synthesizer), Shivraj 'Mizo' Doss (electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, arrangements) and Ajay Kadam (tablas, electronic percussion).

Johannesburg:
Venue: Gandhi Hall, Lenasia
Date: Saturday, 5 May at 19:00
Tickets: R180
Contact: Sanjay Mithal for more info or to book on 082 641 6049/011 886 0762/[email protected].

Durban 1:
Venue: Kendra Hall
Date: Thursday, 10 May at 18:30
Tickets: R1 000 per table of ten
Contact: Kenny Bechoo on 082 447 2903/[email protected] or Amrika on 031 409 1442.

Durban 2:
Venue: Olive Convention Centre/Durban Ice Rink complex
Date: Sunday, 13 May at 16:00
Tickets: R75, R100, R200 and R300
Contact: Kenny Bechoo on 082 447 2903/[email protected] or Amrika on 031 409 1442.

There is a concert in Gabarone (Botswana) on Friday, 4 May.

More information can be found by visiting:

- www.hindu.com/mp/2005/12/31/stories/2005123102030100.htm
- shobhaade.blogspot.com/2009/01/bhajan-aur-bhojan.html
- www.hindu.com/mp/2006/01/23/stories/2006012300430100.htm
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/filmi-parties/bollywood/Hrithik-and-family-join-AIDS-campaign/articleshow/4555940.cms
- www.vikramhazra.com