As a result of their respective experiences, despite both having had quite a conventional upbringing, Maia and Pratika-Sahayak have come to have quite an esoteric perspective of life and of music. They share this perspective, though at the same time honouring and respecting others' beliefs and perspectives.
Their life experiences have been extraordinary and as a result they embrace an holistic and expanded view of existence. It has shaped their world, and their work, in a truly wonderful way, and it has created the possibility for them to touch many lives and inspire others.
They function very effectively and successfully in mainstream society and corporate environments (in which they have both, in the past, successfully worked as full time public servants).
Their music has been embraced across all sectors of society.
Maia and Pratika-Sahayak met at the side of the stage after separate performances at a festival in Brisbane in June 2008. Samjjana evolved out of their union, their music, people's response to their music and their mutual dedication in service to Spirit.
Just two months after they met, they headed overseas on a one-way ticket. In November 2008 Pratika had a D drone Native American Indian flute sent to him in Italy to match the hang and for the first time they were able to play their instruments together.
In early January 2009 they formalised their music union with branding as they found ourselves in demand in Costa Rica. Their first official paid performance was 26 January 2009.
A series of little miracles unfolded with elegant synchronicity and they found themselves performing many times, sometimes as a duo, sometimes with other musicians who flowed into their sphere with effortless ease ~ including some very famous and popular Costa Rican/musicians like Manuel Obregon, and also Edin Solis and Carlos (Tapado) Vargas ~ from the Grammy award winning band, 'Editus' (Manuel and Tapado also being members of another famous Costa Rican band, 'Malpais').
All the musicians they performed with are conscious/spiritual and play their music from the heart. (At some stage they intend to return to Costa Rica for more magical musical collaborations.)
Due to constant requests for their music, they fast tracked their plans to record, and produced two albums during the eight months they lived in Costa Rica. (One of them includes guest musicians Edin Solis and Tapado.)
After returning to Queensland's Sunshine Coast in September 2009, they took delivery of their first CDs and settled into their new lives as full time musicians. They have performed at markets, weddings, Mind Body Spirit Festivals, New Earth Festival, Music By The Sea and Queensland Multicultural Festival. They also offer workshops and sound immersions.
When Prem and Jethro (devotional music duo Sacred Earth) heard them play in November 2009, they invited samjjana to join them in concert. Maia and Pratika performed with them at the Perth New Earth Festival in March 2010, and on Queensland's Sunshine Coast it was their privilege to be Sacred Earth's special guests, opening their Maleny and Eumundi concerts in July 2010.
In September 2010, they were invited by two of the Brisbane Conservatorium's Doctors of Music, Nicholas Ng and Kim Cunio, to perform with them and others in 'Music of the Other' - a themed, narrated and animated concert at the Conservatorium.
Their third CD 'Peace Within' was released November 2010.
Their fourth album 'Follow your Bliss'® was released December 2011. This concept double album represents a big shift in gear for samjjana and they are elated to share it.
Maia and Pratika formalised their union by marrying on 2 March, 2012 - it was a very special day on which they celebrated such an important milestone in their shared journey.
It was a great privilege for them to share their music at the March 2012 Melbourne and Perth Kryon seminars. (Chris Hooper brings Lee Carroll and other Kryon-inspired presenters to Australia for this event bi-annually.)
With their ever-expanding collection of sound healing instruments, increasingly they have been offering sound immersion events. This is something they feel inspired to offer more of in future.
They are in awe of the rapid unfoldment of their musical journey and feel very blessed to be able to touch people's lives in this way. They are totally dedicated to continuing this service.
"Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life,
Bringing peace, abolishing strife."
Kahlil Gibran