“Vietnamese opera and mantra singer Sangeeta Kaur has created the first "Mantra Opera". And it is extraordinary!”
“Sangeeta's Niguma Opera was brilliantly performed and choreographed. The music touches the soul and the visuals enlighten the mind. I Highly recommend that you watch for and attend the next performance which all ages will enjoy.”
Who is Lady Niguma and in these modern times, why should we care? With grace and powered by an awe inspiring production, Sangeeta and her company of yogi & yogini artists extraordinarily provide an answer of inspiration.
For both sacred mantra and opera enthusiasts alike, NIGUMA takes us into the ancient secret world of Tibetan Buddhist legend Lady Niguma: a goddess amongst sacred yogis who taught and empowered women to help them obtain and further merge into their innate true strength.
Originally inspired by her early Buddhist teacher Geshe Michael Roach while beginning her spiritual quest and yogic path years ago in New York , Sangeeta felt a direct transmission from the spirit of Lady Niguma that became unshakable. She says,
"What captivated my heart is that Lady Niguma taught women not only to come into their own power, but also to use that power to help others awaken. These teachings come to us when our soul is ready for it".
After many years later of study and practice, this classically trained opera singer knew that these seeds of dharma were ready to be given to the world in an album and performance unlike any that has come before it both in mantra and opera.
Sangeeta has enlisted an extraordinary cast and crew who bring such iconic marquee experience to the show having worked with Madonna, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga amongst others along with a groundbreaking visual design team that has collaborated with the #1 grossing North American music festival "Coachella".
On selecting the company Sangeeta recalls:
"All of these angels arrived in the form of a truly world class level of artists and production team. It very quickly became clear to me that this production was bigger than myself. To enroll and cast at this level was the grace of the Divine".
As the team of dancers and musicians who brought to the work an extraordinary passion and expertise, were led by Sangeeta (who stars and wrote the show along with Michael Land), music director & album producer Nicholas Neidhardt, renown Creative Director Bobby Newberry and his exceptional choreographer of choice Talia Favia; the company became profoundly affected by these sacred mantras and ancient wisdom. Sangeeta's resolve was to have this work be beneficial not only to the audience alone, but to ALL who worked to bring the show to life.
It was quite a journey to actualization. As Sangeeta further reflects during the production rehearsals:
"I had to re-discover within myself over and over these teachings that I had grown so close over the last 7 years. On a daily basis I had to commune with my intention for the end result: when the audience experiences the offering of this sacred sound current of mantra, it will open up a door for a spiritual path to emerge no mater what level of practice, beginner or expert. NIGUMA is a beginning. An opening of pure intention of illuminating awakening. "
As the lights dim and the show the commences on the audience, we begin our story with the piece's beautiful protagonist Manda played by Sangeeta, tormented by the struggle of her inner world and her prayers to be freed from the bondage of self. The audience is toured through her darkness and journeyed through her awakening as she is liberated by the light and nourishing wisdom of Lady Niguma and her Angels.
The audience is treated to Cirque Du Soleil level of craft aerial acrobatics, spellbinding digital visual towering portraits and a cast of dancers in exotic costumes practicing ballet through modern.
The majestic musical accompaniment by the Nicolas Neidhardt conducted orchestra of world class musicians, leads the audience through profound Tibetan and Kundalini sacred mantras through a classic piece by revered Vietnamese composer Trinh Cong Son into an Aria from Handel's opera Rinaldo, which Sangeeta carries with great and believable impeccability.
The performance concludes with a chant whose blessing translates "May prayers of grace, hope, healing and blessings be granted ". The audience leaves heart full and a changed being than when we walked in the theater two hours prior. In the performance's program, we are even left with instructions for a 12 point Lady Niguma meditation so we can keep this spirit awakened in our individual practice should we choose to embrace this resource.
It is a unique night out at the theater to say the least!
Now that the show has successfully debuted at the world famous and respected Broad Stage in Santa Monica, California, Sangeeta remains committed to her vision and deeply honored to bring NIGUMA to stages all over North America and eventually the world:
"In creating this show, I feel I got to experience Lady Niguma and her teachings directly. Her spirt has helped me do my dharma. Her spirt is now so much a part of me. This story and her gift of empowerment has been lost over the years and is now able to reawaken and take flight through this album and visual companion performance. For this I am most grateful."
From my heart to yours, I invite you to experience NIGUMA. You will walk away with heart and spirit transformed.