Mishaal Surti is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and its Faculty of Education where he was awarded the Don Wright Scholarship in Vocal Music, and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

As an educator and choral conductor based in Toronto, Ontario, Mishaal has conducted performances and facilitated workshops on music education and the male changing voice for Choral Canada/The Association of Canadian Choral Communities, the Ontario Music Educators’ Association, Western University, the University of Toronto, the Educational Computing Organization of Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Education and school boards throughout Ontario. Mishaal has also been published in the national and provincial journals of the Canadian Music Educators’ Association and Ontario Music Educators’ Association.

As a choral composer, Mishaal is published by Cypress Choral Music and Graphite Publishing and has been commissioned by organizations and ensembles throughout Canada, including the Exultate Chamber Singers, the Amabile Choirs of London, Canada, and the Coalition for Music Education in Canada. Mishaal has had his compositions and arrangements performed throughout North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, including at Europa Cantat, the ACDA National Conference, and the Luminato Festival. Beginning as a choral singer with the Amabile Choirs of London, Ontario, Mishaal continues to perform throughout Canada with local choral ensembles and as a freelance musician. “Just sing your song!”—KF

mishaalsurti.com | @mishaalsurtimusic

Composer’s Notes

He Ranglo is an example of a folk song that would be sung and performed as part of a garba or dandiya raas – traditional folk dances from Gujarat, India performed during community celebrations. These folk dances involve coordinated movements in a circular pattern, clapping and stepping (garba) or striking a pair of sticks (dandiyas) to the beat of the music, with the steps and patterns becoming faster and more energetic as the music progresses. Garba and dandiya raas are often performed as part of celebrations of the festival Navratri, as well as any community celebration or gathering throughout Gujarat and beyond.

In He Ranglo, the community has planned a celebration and is calling for Krishna to come join them before the night is past.

-Mishaal Surti

Text

He ranglo
jamyo kalandri ne ghat
chogada tara
ho re chabila tara
ho re rangila tara
rangbheru jue tari vaat
ranglo

He haly haly haly
vahi jaay raat vaat maa ne
mathe padse prabhat

He rangrasiya taro rahdo
mandi ne gaam ne chevade betha

gokul ni goplie
tara hatu toh kaam
badha melya hetha
he tane barke tari
jashoda tari
maat

-Avinash Vyas

TRANSLATION:
O colourful one,
The celebration is happening by the
riverbank,
You who wears a tassel,
You are radiant,
You are beautiful,
Your path is filled with colour.

Softly, the night is passing as we
speak and dawn will soon be here.

O lover of colours, your path
winds through the marketplace and
along the village’s edge,

The people of Gokul left their work
behind.

Your mother, Yashoda, is calling for
you.

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