GAAYATRI

GAAYATRI is a practicing Naad Yogini descending from one of the last living lineages of Naad Yogis. She was trained in this ancient Vedic practice of vibrational yoga practiced through sound in the form of Hindustani Raaga music. She studied under the Late Ustad Ali Akbar Khan beginning her training with him in the traditional Guru-Shishya parampara at the age of 4, studying with him for her whole childhood until his passing. Her lineage, the Rampur-Maihar Senia Gharana, can be traced back to the legendary Mian Tansen himself, who propagated the legacy of his Guru Swami Haridas, known for his practice of Raaga music as a deeply spiritual yoga. It is one of the last lineages left that carries an unbroken link all the way to this source where musicians of 8 generations have carried the teachings down to present day. GAAYATRI is the first pure vocalist of this lineage since the time of Mian Tansen’s daughter Saraswati since the 16th century. She was trained specifically and extensively by her Guru to represent this rare vocal practice in its most authentic form, which has been stewarded by the great instrumentalists of the Maihar Gharana including Ustad Allauddin Khan, Pt. Ravi Shankar, Smt. Annapoorna Devi, and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan himself. She had the fortunate of singing for Smt. Annapoorna Devi, and receiving her blessing that her presentation is authentic to the tradition and lineage of practice taught by Ustad Allauddin Khan. Her training was deeply rooted in learning the kriyas or techniques of practicing Raaga as a tool for spiritual enlightenment, and in this way, and grew up with this practice as a lifestyle.

Her unique style is characterized by its roots in the oldest form of Raaga music through Vedic Dhrupad. This style carries an overarching emphasis on tonal purity attuning to one’s resonance of one’s Naad, and Raaga elaboration based in the principles of vibrational energetics of the Raaga. She is uniquely trained in all major styles of Raaga practice, including Dhrupad, Khyaal, Light Classical, and Bhakti music, as well as practices Sanskrit mantra chanting.

Living in America, GAAYATRI grew up with mainstream music as a part of her sonic environment. Using her musical skills developed from the musical depth and complexity of her Naad Yoga practice in Raaga music, she fused these influences together to carve out a special place for herself in the commercial music world as a specialist for creating Indian influenced music, blending Indian classical elements with commercial genres.

Today, she has contributed to the music industry as a Musical Artist, and Composer. Her voice has brought depth and emotion to some of the most iconic moments in film and television over the last 10 years.

Her voice has been featured in Film, TV, and Media projects such as Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel, ZeeTV’s Taj: Royal Blood voicing the character Anarkali played by Aditi Rao Hydari, League of Legends’ Nilah’s Theme, Disney’s Million Dollar Arm, DreamWorks’ Hundred Foot Journey, and Imagine Entertainment’s Pelé: Birth of a Legend. She was also hand picked to sing with A-list artists Camila Cabello, Billie Eilish, PHINNEAS, Justin Timberlake, Jared Leto and 30 Seconds to Mars, Carlos Santana, and Angelique Kidjo. She has contributed original songs that feature her multilingual songwriting in Telugu, Hindi, and English. Her original song “Neelo Nennunnana” is featured in the upcoming series, Dallas Diaries. Her original song "Suno Apni Awaaz" was featured in Disney's series Shake Your Tail With Chip 'n Dale, garnering over a quarter million views within a few short weeks of release.

She started her career as a Composer working as a studio assistant to AR Rahman on projects such as Alia Bhat’s breakout film Highway, the Late Sridevi’s film MOM, and Mani Ratnam’s Chekka Chivanta Vaanam. She has since worked on her own projects scoring films Mysore Magic, Mirage/Maya, and music directing a Telugu language series Dallas Diaries. She was also the lead orchestrator for Season 2 of Disney Jr.'s first South Asian show Mira Royal Detective. Her scored Indian influenced choral works are widely performed by choral groups such as the National Children’s Chorus, Tonality, Washington DC’s Congressional Chorus, and Long Beach Camerata. Her piece “Pani Ka Rang” was premiered at the Lincoln Center, and her piece “Diya Jalein” was premiered at Carnegie Hall receiving a standing ovation.

She strongly believes the music we absorb has a profound effect on mental health and well-being. She therefore takes it as a responsibility to make music that is uplifting, healthy, and high vibrational for the spiritual benefit of all.