TV Times

TV Times

Ron Ragel : A mission to fulfill
Ron Ragel, a Sri Lankan born Australian musician and his wife have embarked on a programme to help the victims of the tsunami by making a documentary on the disaster and showing it to members of the public in that country.

Ron who is the Co-Director of Global Network Productions and his Australian wife Vicki undertook a tour of six weeks in Sri Lanka visiting mainly Matara and Batticaloa to document the disaster and the recovery efforts.

“We will use the footage to make a documentary and get people interested to get it aired on networks. This way the country can benefit more from aid from Australians,” he said. He said that the footage would also be available on their web site, which was a popular site.

Ron said there was an “amazing response” from ordinary Australians after the tsunami who have shown great generosity towards Sri Lankans who were affected by the disaster. But he said an effort was needed to keep the people interested and aware of the need for them to continue to help locals in whatever way they can.

Ron has written numerous articles on the therapeutic and transformational power of music and sound. The latest CD, Sacred Ragas, released in December 2004 for Global Grooves was co-produced with Vicki Hansen, and is based on the therapeutic power of traditional Indian music.

Their visits here coincides with the launch the album in Sri Lanka. A per centage of the proceeds of sales of Sacred Ragas will go to support the work of the Sarvodaya organisation who are in the frontline of the tsunami recovery programme and to which Ron’s organisation Global Network Productions and its supporters have been donating funds.

As an artist with a deep conscience, Ron produces and presents events and concerts that explore “creating a culture of peace”. His recorded work, collaborations and musical events demonstrate a strong commitment to the peace process and continue to support many NGOs and humanitarian movements.

Ron was last here in Sri Lanka in 1998 launching his book “Total Life Artistry” a workbook designed to transform and generally improve all areas of life providing the tools and processes for achieving happiness, harmony and effective action. He was here again in 2003 launching the album, “The Odyssey, an album described as a celebration of the global spirit of Australia.”

Inspired by the words of Sri Lankan resident Arthur C.Clarke, Ron and Vicki have come to Sri Lanka this time “armed with video cameras, to record the next big wave of the human spirit and human perseverance.”

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