Hip hop makes scriptures cool for young Jains

YJA Board on July 2007

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Via Times of India:

Edison, New Jersey: Jain scriptures sung in hip hop. That’s the latest East-meets-West saga as over 5,000 Jains from the US and other countries congregate here on Friday for the Jain Associations In North America (Jaina) meet.

And, bringing about this unique fusion is cappella singer Krupesh Mehta, who will perform at the ‘peace JAM’ during the convention, to get youth attracted to the scriptures, using this popular genre of music.

And, how does he get them to mix ?

“Realising the power of the word ‘Om’ forms the premise of the track that I will be performing. The energy of ‘Om’, going into the depths of its meaning, inspires you to look within yourself, realise your capabilities. And Jain ideology too emphasises the same, with purity of soul and raising your consciousness being the ultimate aim,” says Krupesh, an NRG Jain.

Having been raised in Queens, New York, his inclination for hip-hop came naturally. “I grew up listening to it. I realised that the youth would find it more appealing if hip-hop was the mode of presentation,” he says.

Krupesh, ‘Kru’ to his friends, started writing in 2000 while in high school and has used his mastery over words for the performance. “The style is hip hop but it’s all about words. They truly reflect the essence of the Jain scriptures,” he says.

The four-day convention will see performers using a combination of poetry, music, and lyrics to communicate their vision and message about various topics ranging from politics to spirituality and from racial bias to social injustice. While generational icon, Lauryn Hill, has been specifically invited for her spiritual and lyrical alignment with the convention’s theme ‘Peace Through Dialogue.’

And, beyond music, about 60 Jain scholars will discuss the ‘Building of a Diaspora – Jains without Borders.’