Music and the Expressive Arts
Markus Scott-Alexander and Nadaka
Music has a special role in the Expressive Arts. Markus and Nādakā explore the beauty of music and its power to take us into new spaces.
Nādakā was born and raised in Québec City and began his musical journey on the guitar at a very young age. Nadaka was an early habitant and pioneer of Auroville, the international township in South India, which has been his home for over 40 years. His love and passion for Indian culture led him to study its music, study vocal and Indian string instruments, especially the Veena and Sarod. Nadaka embarked on a lifelong project to craft a unique acoustic guitar that would gradually evolve into a 24-string instrument that allowed him to emulate the subtle tones in Indian music. He wittingly calls this one-of-a-kind instrument the "Geet-Taar" from the Sanskrit, "Singing-Strings," combining elements of the veena, swaramandal, tanpura, and even guitar; into one. Nadaka is renowned for his virtuosity and signature contemplative sound, which seamlessly combines traditional Indian music with contemporary styles. With many successful albums to his credit, he has recorded and performed with many recognized Indian musicians such as A.R. Rahman/Film composer, Ganesh-Kumaresh/violin, Shivamani/drums, Vikku Vinayakram, and his son Selvaganesh/ Carnatic percussionists. He has also toured extensively for concerts and workshops sharing the stage with his partner Gopika vocalist and her son Keshava/tabla.
Dr. Markus Scott-Alexander, PhD, REAT draws upon decades of interest in the development of the Self and the Self in community. The contemplative arts have provided a bridge to his inner life and the expressive arts, to his many outer explorations. He has been a multi-modal artist and expressive arts therapist and educator since 1986, working internationally with his body-centred and nature-based approach to cross-cultural healing work. Markus is one of the first Registered Expressive Arts Therapists and a pioneer in the field of phenomenological, intermodal expressive arts therapy. He was senior faculty at the European Graduate School from 1997 to 2020 under the mentorship of the late Paolo Knill. Markus is currently the director of World Arts Organization and the founder of Expressive Arts Without Borders. He and his wife left New York in 2002 and currently reside in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.