Grammy nominee flautist Nawang Khechog is in town performing at the International Festival of Sacred Arts. The Guide shares a cab home as he unfolds his interesting journey, and reveals how Richard Gere became his best friend
Grammy nominee flautist Nawang Khechog is in town performing at the International Festival of Sacred Arts. The Guide shares a cab home as he unfolds his interesting journey, and reveals how Richard Gere became his best friend
He has shared stage with U2, acted with Brad Pitt and now wants a piece of Bollywood. But then, flautist Nawang Khechog has always been an unstoppable nomad. 
Evoking world peace: Khechog plays the traditionalu00a0Tibetanu00a0longu00a0horn
Born in Tibet, Khechog, at 16, ran away from home to be a guerrilla cadet and join the resistance against China. But then it was The Dalai Lama, who, himself, guided him towards peace through Buddhist philosophy and meditation. Thus, the angry boy ended up being a monk for eleven years.
Today, at 57, this self taught musician who gave up monkhood to be an artiste, continues fighting for his country through music. "Music is the simplest and yet the most powerful tool to reach human hearts; compassion and kindness conquers all," says Khechog, who collaborated with Kitaro in his Grammy nominated albums Mandala and Enchanted Evenings.u00a0
He is a multi-instrumentalist and plays a wide array of instruments, ranging from the Tibetan long horn, Australian aboriginal didgeridoo and Native American and Tibetan flutes. He weaves the ancient sounds of different countries into original compositions for the audience of today.u00a0
Gere box
The list is longu00a0-- performances in the Carnegie hall and universal amphitheatre, working with Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Natalie Merchant and David Bowieu00a0-- to name a few. But his eyes twinkle when he remembers the one concert in Washington DC, where he shared stage with U2, Pearl Jam and Alanis Morissette among others. "It was rocking! And the best part was that my co-star of Seven Years in Tibet, Brad Pitt, who turned up,u00a0 was flabbergasted to see that I play so many different instruments," he beams. He assisted direction in the Hollywood hit and also played seven different roles.
Another star who has been an integral part of his life is Richard Gere. "He is my best friend and one of the most beautiful humans I have known. He helped me go to America and even saved my life," he reminisces gratefully, referring to a fatal car accident that took place a few years back in Orissa, which almost killed him. "We enjoy each other's company. Whenever we are together, we talk of a wide range of topics, from philosophy to life in general," he adds.u00a0u00a0
Born to a nomadic family in eastern Tibet, Khechog grew up in Orissa and Himachal Pradesh, and now lives in the US. He continues to trot the globe and rallies for peace, Tibetan support groups and Tibetan re-settlement projects. "A better ambassador than most suited booted ones"u00a0-- he remains an ardent follower of the Dalai Lama. "His Holiness is the living Mahatma Gandhi and Budhha for us; he is the spiritual sun who gives us the light of wisdom and strength," he adds in reverence.
But music, spirituality and fighting for Tibet is not where Nawang Khonchog stops. The wanderer now has his eyes set on Bollywood. "I think I did a pretty good job in Seven Years in Tibet. Now, it would be fun if Bollywood gives me a chance." For now, however, Delhi does, and with pleasure.
Music for Meditation BY Nawang Khechog
Where: IGNCA, janpath
When: March 5, 6.30 TO 9.00 PM
Call: 23746050, 9811224841 or log on to www.nawangkhechog.com
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
