MusicTibet.com
News :: 2007
Karma from dung-chen to didgeridoo
Karma Lama in Alaska
ALASKA, US, 18 August 2007 — Listening to the Culture Brother's first CD Learn how to respect one is transported to a large field bordered with whispering pines, flanked by high white mountain peaks, with the lap-lap of the Alaskan waters keeping time. And those are just the subtle mind/sounds in this rich world music soundscape, this musical montage of many cultures finding the ONE through joyful music.
After a few short minutes of listening to the band, co-founder Karma speak passionately about his love of Alaska's rich natural world, one can feel his joy in music.
From Roots to Roots
Delving into Karma's joyful musical presence inevitably leads one down a windy road beginning
with his birth several decades ago on the India/Nepal border to Tibetan parents. At the age of
seven he joined the Swayambhunath monastery, the famous Monkey Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. Along
with other monastic duties he played drum and dung-chen during the many pujas and ceremonies
held at the monastery. Up to this point, Karma's experience of music and sound was anchored to
the monastic life, deeply marbled with the themes of devotion, unity and service.
After eight years he left the monastery and moved in with his family in Kathmandu.
During this time he was befriended by a local Newari musician who introduced Karma to the music of other cultures. As is often the case, this seemingly casual friendship was actually a turning point in Karma's life. Living in Kathmandu presented more exposure to a wide range of music.
Detour to the Snowy Peaks of Alaska
Not quite sure what to do, but sure of his love of sound and music, Karma continued on in
Kathmandu. One of his friends had re-settled to Alaska some time before, and invited him to
visit. One night Karma saw a TV show about that land, one of the last wild territories of
the planet. Remembering his dream to experience the snowy peaks of
Tibet, Karma thought that maybe he should go. He did not imagine himself staying there, but
the door was open so he walked through.
Karma immediately fell in love with the wild Alaskan landscapes. He decided to try and stay. The first few years were difficult, mostly due to the obstacle of language and the harshness of Alaskan winters. There were just a few Tibetans there at the time, who gathered together to celebrate the Tibetan holidays. Monk-hood behind him, Karma allowed himself to exuberantly invite music of all kinds into his life. Karma befriended other local musicians and began to experiment with other instruments such as flute, guitar, congas, and didgeridoo. He began to play in local bands such as the Yukon Riders and the Good Ol' Boys.
Culture brothers and friends
Brother From Another Culture
During this time Karma met another significant person, Carl Wassilie, a Yup'ik Eskimo. They
bonded immediately, revealing over many shared hours the similarities of their respective
cultures as well as of their love of the sacred and unifying sound of music. Over time they
realised the amazing truth of their desire to unite others with the sacredness of sound,
music, and the truth of love shared by all beings.
The Culture Brothers
Karma and Carl formed a band called the Culture Brothers. They both
shared the inspiration of Roots Reggae, especially the music of the inimitable Bob Marley.
True to their soul, and true to their mission, their music celebrated the unification of all
cultures with music. Getting gigs at local parties, bars, festivals and weddings, motivated
by the altruistic desire to unify through the healing sound of music, they became
increasingly popular. Over time, Karma and Carl have come to believe that through music they
can better serve their communities, promote education and the preservation of their respective
cultures, and above all, promote world peace through love and music.
Learn How to Respect and Opening for the Wailers
The Culture Brothers’ first CD "Learn how to respect" has just been released. Coincidentally,
Karma was recently asked to play as a special guest for the band Fireweed Stampede, who were
scheduled to open for The Wailers, the former back up band of the king of reggae Bob Marley at
the Alyeska Mountain Air Reggaefest in Girdwood, Alaska. Karma sat in playing djembe and flute.
It is no mistake that the lead singer of the Wailers sounds like the great Bob Marley.
Karma says, "When the lead singer began singing I thought it must be CD playing. I felt like I was in a dream. It felt like a magical dream come true." Karma believes "that one should always hold their dreams close, and be ready for the moment our life asks us to step into that dream. Everything we imagine has the potential to come true; it is up to us to be ready to go there. Yes, king of the peace Holiness Dalai Lama, Jah! Free Tibet!"