Stepping on
Indian soil as she alights from her flight, Karen Ruimy feels a sense of
blessing and inspiration settle upon her. A deeply spiritual person, she
confesses she finds a connection with the spirituality of this land and its
people.
Living in the
buzz of London, nevertheless, Karen’s touch with spirituality goes way back to
her roots. Raised between Morocco, Spain and France, she is the essence of
these three countries and the connections between them. Her passion for
Flamenco and Sufi also has its roots here. “I was born in Morocco and then my
family moved to Spain where we lived in Andalusia. Here I was exposed to a lot
of local music as well as Flamenco. Something about the latter touched me
deeply. I felt it was music welling from my soul,” recalls Karen who first
studied jazz but was destined for Flamenco by the time she was 18. “When I was
in Paris, I met a family of Flamenco dancers who took me in and trained me. I loved
it, and from then on, I knew that this is what I wanted to do,” reveals Karen,
a professional Flamenco dancer, singer, composer and author for over a decade
and half, performing at some of the most prestigious venues in France and
England.
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To her, Flamenco
is an inexplicable passion and riveting spiritual energy that finds a
metaphysical expression on stage. “Music and dance are based on spirituality.
When I am on stage, I am expressing my spiritual energy. In fact, going on
stage is the highest energy for me,” she avers of the dance form which, she
says, allows her to express an entire gamut of emotions.
By the age of 28,
a MBA and banker’s job notwithstanding, Karen had a spiritual awakening that
led her to search within and learn more. “I come from a traditional family and
have always been spiritual. All my life I have been reading Sufi masters and
I’m deeply influenced by the writings of Yogananda and ‘Music is Life’ by
Inayatkhan. Over the years, I have also been writing and meditating,” reveals
Karen who has authored two books, ‘Metamorphosis of the Angel’ and ‘The Voice
of the Angel’.
Teaming up with
eminent sonic producer Youth helped her take her spiritual journey to a higher
level, blending it with the soul captivating Sufi music. “We decided to create
a mix of Indian, Arabic and Flamenco music.” ZIK’R was the result of this
collaborative effort. “ZIK’R which in Arabic means ‘Remembrance to God’,
seamlessly blends traditional instruments with exciting electronic elements.”
Complemented with a spectacular flamenco dance, the ZIK’R narrative follows a
story of exile, passion and survival. The central theme of the performance
however, follows the path of Flamenco from India to Spain and the mystical
roots of Sufi. This album will be released in two editions in original form,
entitled, ‘East’ and in remix formula ‘West’. ZIK’R which has been well
received first at the Sufi Spirit Festival in Jodhpur, Marrakech Biennale and
London has an ensemble of some of the best musicians from Britain and Spain.
To a singer and
dancer whose soul’s journey resonates through Sufi, ZIK’R is the perfect tune.
ZIK’R will be
performed at the International Festival of Sufi and Traditional Music on
February 3, 2015 at 8.30pm at Kala Academy
