Terry Olson organizes international music meetups at restaurants. This Mudita Mixer was held at the New Punjab Indian Restaurant (7451 International Drive Orlando, FL). When I arrived the restaurant was pretty empty buy it quickly filled before the music began. Terry arrived in full Indian attire.
I ordered a delicious appetizer called Dal Makhani which was sweet and flavorful. Most of the items on the menu are vegetarian and gluten free. Looking back, I now want to find the recipe for what I had and make it at home.
The Mudita Musical Meet-Up, Mixer and Jam offered good times, tunes, and a chill vibe. The music was hypnotic. There was some explanation as to how the vocals and extended notes were structured so the evening was also educational. The woman was playing an Indian Harmonium, or samvadini, peti (“box”), or vaja. It is a small and portable hand-pumped reed organ where notes changed based on the buttons pushed. The drummer kept the beat on his Indian Tabala drum while the singer let his voice oscillate and flow.
Later a member of the audience set up his instrument which sounded like a sci-fi movie soundtrack. His instrument blended in perfectly with the jam happening on stage. This was a relaxing and very entertaining night with delicious food and inspiring music.