A friend came up to me after Sunday service today to share a request. She said how much she’s enjoyed reading about how I first came to Ananda, met Swamiji, and got involved in the music. But she wished I would write something about how I met Ramesha!
Well, as it turns out, I’ve already done so, although it starts things off sort of in the middle, so I’ll have to backtrack a bit tomorrow (or the next day).
Anyway, below is the story of the first concert Ramesha and I played together, which was really the start of “us”. I wrote it for our 15th anniversary and updated it just the other day (you can go HERE if you’re interested in hearing the recording of that concert).
Once upon a time a flutist-turned-singer from San Francisco moved to Italy to be part of a singing group. She met many wonderful people while she was there, including a young violinist-guitarist-singer from Lugano (Switzerland). They were acquaintances, who–over the course of a year–became good friends.
It was 2003. Sharon (the flutist/singer) was hoping to go on pilgrimage to India and decided to organize a concert to help raise money for the trip. Fabio (the violinist/guitarist/singer), wanted an opportunity to get to know her better, and was already planning to spend that very week at Ananda Assisi (where she lived). This gave Sharon the great idea to ask Fabio if he would join her on the concert, which he did. They had one day to rehearse, of which perhaps one-fourth was dedicated to the music, while the other three-quarters was spent talking..and laughing…and talking some more!
This is a recording of that concert, which was amazingly well-received, though truly, the music seemed almost besides the point. More important was the birth of a collaboration which led, a day later, to an official “first date”, followed within the year by a wedding and the forming of The Harmony Duo.
Now known as Bhagavati (Sharon) and Ramesha (Fabio) Nani, they’ll soon be celebrating the 19th anniversary of their marriage, and are still laughing and talking and making music together as music ministers and co-directors of Ananda Music Worldwide.
P.S. Bhagavati’s music duties in Assisi kept her from going on the pilgrimage to India that year, but when they reached their 15th anniversary (four years ago already!) they decided to once again make this CD available (on a donation basis) to celebrate that pivotal event in their relationship. And now they’re offering it again, in support of Bhagavati’s health goals. They hope you enjoy it!