Rising Stars: Meet Radhika Vekaria

Today we’d like to introduce you to Radhika Vekaria.

Hi Radhika, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My family was very musical and music was as common as normal conversation. My father was a core bringer of singing and playing instruments in the home, from Jazz, classical to Indian music. Being in the UK with an Indian heritage, growing up with these sounds and Sanskrit chants as part of my hybrid culture makes me who I am today. The atmosphere in our home was rich with the sounds of the world. Because of this, as a child I was singing melodies before I properly formed words. Storytelling through movement of voice was a foundation of my development. This has followed me to every aspect of my life so far.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Certainly not. The modern world doesn’t encourage us to follow our hearts. Only to follow the head. Music is a fully heartfelt expression. Having an untraditional career of any kind is not always easy. Even without the cultural challenges, expectations from others, the toughest part has been to cultivate courage and trust in the face of the unknown. However, whenever I played my piano or sang, there was a place I could go to that was sacred and meaningful to me. Since a young age, I wanted to be a doctor. I always wanted to help heal people and to make lives easier and more peaceful. I felt regret for a long time not taking that route, however being that the music I make is of a healing nature, I realize I’m still doing the same thing with sound medicine.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
With heritage from India, family from East Africa and growing up in the UK, my sole intention is to bridge cultural divides, heal and elevate through sound experiences. I express this musically incorporating Sanskrit, one of the oldest languages on earth and whose vibration is an expression of how the Universe is created.

My mantra album SAPTA: The Seven Ways is an ode to my Indian roots, comprising of Sanskrit chants with a twist. My producer, Grammy-nominated George Landress (No Doubt, Snuffy Walden) and I really wanted to create a universal invite to these ancient healing frequencies. The response has been worth every moment leading up to and creating that project.

I create with the intention to infuse new spaces with the vibrations of conscious music, to transform and inspire. One example where I was able to do this was with world-renowned artist Jeff Koons. He featured my voice alongside those of Rihanna, Sir Paul McCartney and David Bowie for his recent four months groundbreaking exhibition ‘Apollo’ in Greece, with an exploration of the ancient world meeting the new.

Last year I was the first mantra artist to perform at SXSW. It was special bringing these ancient modalities into an environment celebrating technology and art to enliven our present and future. It was a moment that told me a bridge is being built culturally and spiritually and I am proud to be part of that wave.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.radhikavekaria.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/radhikavekaria_
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/radhikavekaria
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/radhikavekaria
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/radhikavekaria

Image Credits
Rick Gilbert Photography