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Roberta Flack honored with Sri Chinmoy Culture-Light Award
In the 1980s, Sri Chinmoy gave Roberta Flack the spiritual name “Addwitiya”, meaning “Supremely Unparalleled Consciousness-Bliss,” and composed a song in her honor.
Sri Chinmoy and Roberta Flack / Courtesy Photo
American singer, songwriter, and musician Roberta Flack was honored with the prestigious Sri Chinmoy Culture-Light Award for her profound contributions to music and culture.
The Sri Chinmoy Culture-Light Award honors those who uplift humanity through music, art, literature, leadership, and sports.
The award was presented in an intimate ceremony at her New York residence on Feb. 16, just a week before her passing. Flack passed away on Feb. 24 at the age of 88.
Flack, celebrated for her unparalleled artistry and deeply emotive performances, was the first musician to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in two consecutive years. Her timeless work has inspired audiences across generations, blending technical mastery with heartfelt expression.
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Roberta Flack, American singer, songwriter, and musician / Courtesy PhotoBeyond her famous music career, Flack was a longtime meditation student of Sri Chinmoy, an Indian spiritual leader, poet, and composer.
During the ceremony, Ranjana Ghose, director of the Sri Chinmoy Centre, read the award certificate, which included a poem by Sri Chinmoy encapsulating the spirit of Flack’s work:
“God never encouraged me to learn the world-denial-song. On the contrary, He inspired, encouraged and blessed me to sing the world-acceptance-song and dance the world-transformation-dance.”
Flack was given the spiritual name “Addwitiya” by Sri Chinmoy in the 1980s, meaning “Supremely Unparalleled Consciousness-Bliss.” He also composed a song in her honor, reflecting her spiritual essence and artistic legacy.
The award’s crystal trophy features an etching of Sri Chinmoy’s painting “Unity,” adorned with his signature peace-bird drawings—symbols of harmony and the soul’s boundless aspirations. Previous recipients include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, President Mikhail Gorbachev, American composer Philip Glass, and Indian musicians L. Subramaniam and Kavita Krishnamurthy.
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