Local Kirtan group Ziva! packed the house on Monday night at For Goodness Sake in downtown Truckee.  Singing ancient Sanskrit chants, Kirtan is a call and response type of music sung in India for thousands of years.  The soothing soulful sound of Emily Tessmer;s vocals and harmonium enchanted the audience who responded enthusiastically and filled the Truckee night air with joy and bliss, which is why the group choose the name Ziva as it means "bliss" in Sanskrit.
Ziva's newest member, Reno flutist Jen McClellan joined the group after hearing them at a yoga studio in Reno and adds another dimension of ethereal waves to their sound.
David Freeman, local photographer, who lived in India and studied Indian classical music for 5 years plays the "tablas" (Indian drums) for the group while his wife, Sharon Freewoman, owner of The Rainbow Bridge in the Village at Squaw Valley, set the tone by playing the crystal singing bowls. Their next performance will be on April 18th at the Tahoe Yoga and Wellness Center at 7:30 pm and will be a benefit for READ Global.
Ziva! can be reached at (530) 584-6100 or check for future events at www.TheRainbowBridge.com.