Star Spot with Radhika Vekaria, GRAMMYÂź â nominated artist, mantra musician
Healing Through Sound: A Journey with GRAMMYÂź-Nominated Radhika Vekaria
Welcome to this inspiring episode of Star Spot, where we sit down with the extraordinary Radhika Vekaria, a 2024 InterContinental Music Awards winner! With her GRAMMYÂź-nominated album Warriors of Light, Radhika has captivated global audiences by blending ancient Sanskrit narratives with modern sounds, creating a truly unique musical experience. In this exclusive interview, we dive into Radhikaâs journeyâhow she transformed her multicultural heritage into a powerful artistic voice and her experiences competing in renowned music contests like ICMA.
Discover her insights on mantra music, vibrational healing, and the transformative power of music in bridging cultures and hearts.Letâs dive right into the interview summary and tap into Radhikaâs vast knowledge and experience. The full interview is available on Instagram -click here to check it out.
Can you start by sharing a little bit about yourself for those who may not know you yet?
Thank you for asking! Iâm Radhika Vekaria. I was born in London to Indian grandparents and parents who emigrated from East Africa. Over the last few years, Iâve been living in Los Angeles, but I come from a family with a nomadic spirit.
When I was a child, I wanted to be a surgeonâto remove cancer from people and help heal them. But music has always been a big part of my life. Interestingly, Iâve found a way to merge those passions. Now, I use sound to help people heal and release things that may be stuck in their bodies.
I have a deep fascination with Vedic sciences and philosophies rooted in India, and I incorporate those teachings into my music. My work is mantra-inspired and philosophically groundedâa result of lifelong learning. Honestly, I still feel like a student, but itâs a blessing to play with sounds, tones, and mantras.
Music has also been incredibly personal for me. Iâve had a speech impediment since I was young, and singing with specific tones and tunes has helped me find my voiceâliterally and metaphorically. Itâs incredible to be able to share this journey with you today.
Your cultural background is incredibly rich. How has it shaped your identity as a musician?
Thatâs such an interesting question! Identity, I feel, is always evolving. Think of an identity cardâitâs something fixed and permanent. But as a musician, youâre constantly growing, morphing, and changing.
Right now, I embody the aspects of the many cultures Iâve been fortunate to experience. My music, my words, and my actions are all shaped by direct experience. I donât just read something in a book and replicate itâI live it, feel it, and then share it.
In terms of identity, I see myself as a human soul seeking peace. Thatâs the core of who I am, and music is the vehicle that helps me get closer to that peace. Itâs fluid and ever-changing, just like life itself. And thatâs what I try to express in my work.
Congratulations on your Grammy nomination for Warriors of Light! What inspired the creation of this album, and how did you feel when you received the nomination?
Thank you! Honestly, the Grammy nomination hasnât fully sunk in yet. Growing up, I admired the Grammys as this pinnacle of musical recognition, but it was never something I consciously pursued. Iâve always been in love with music itself.
The album Warriors of Light emerged organically after my previous album, SAA. SAA was like a preparation for a challenging timeâboth individually and collectively. From that, Warriors of Light was born, starting in 2020, as a reflection of real experiences.
Youâll notice a stark difference between the two albums. While SAA is meditative and gentle, Warriors of Light is powerful and transformative. It begins with the concept of fireâa purification process central to our Vedic culture. We have something called yagya, a ceremonial fire used to purify. For me, the album represents stepping into this fire, facing lifeâs spiritual battles, and ultimately, self-realization.
Any last words youâd like to share with our viewers and your fans?
First, I want to say thank you. Iâm so incredibly grateful to anyone who listens to my music. Thank you for receiving it and being open to its message.
To the people listening, I think itâs a testament to your own connection with something deeper. If you feel something while listening to my music, maybe itâs not entirely new. Maybe itâs a sound your very cells recognize. These sounds have existed since the beginning of time.
Iâd encourage you to allow yourself to feel part of something magnificent, vast, and timeless. Thatâs whatâs happening when you truly connect with the musicâitâs a shared experience across time and space.
Radhika Vekaria Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.radhikavekaria.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radhikavekaria_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/radhikavekaria
Click here to watch Radhika Vekariaâs full interview on Instagram
InterContinental Music Awards Team