Kings Place
90 York Way, Kings Cross, London N1 9AG
UK
Deepa Nair Rasiya takes her audience on a voyage exploring poetry and music within the realm of the mystic traditions of the subcontinent. Seeking to unravel, through music, the profound meaning in the poetic lyrics of the Saints and Philosophers over the centuries, this journey embraces a comprehensive spectrum of musical styles – from traditional hindustani classical vocal music to semi classical, folk and cross-genre fusion, to best communicate the emotion and the messages presented; Deepa’s vocals are complemented by instrumental accompaniment from some of the UK’s finest musicians, all from a diverse range of musical and cultural backgrounds.
The project endeavours to provide glimpses into the Sufi and Bhakti movements and also to explore some of the lighter styles of North Indian music, mainly Thumri, Bhajan and Folk, employing instrumental arrangement styles to make it contemporary, current and accessible musically. Spiritual love and the search for meaning in human existence remain the enduring themes throughout.
Deepa Nair Rasiya lead vocals
Nim Kaur piano, support vocals
Graham Garside guitar
Manjeet Singh Rasiya tabla
Ustad Surjeet Singh Aulakh sarangi
Dan Garcia hand percussion
About Deepa Nair Rasiya
A singer and songwriter, born in London, Deepa Nair Rasiya’s South Indian heritage took her musical journey, initially, to the orthodox Carnatic traditions of Indian vocal training (at the age of 5). In her teenage years, she explored the field of Western classical music, studying music at GCE level and taking up Violin training in which she accomplished Distinctions up to Grade 6 level.
Although anchored in her South Indian roots, Deepa became increasingly drawn to the Hindustani (North Indian) classical tradition. In 2010 she became a disciple of Pandita Veena Sahasrabuddhe and has also received Khayal guidance from Shri Mukul Kulkarni. Deepa’s present day style is a unique blend of the Northern and Southern approaches to vocal technique, which has earned her an unrivalled place amongst the female Indian vocal artistes of the UK today.
Deepa has worked as a concert performer and session musician in the UK since 1991 and has, in the last decade, emerged also as a prolific composer. Deepa’s vocals have featured on numerous albums across the globe – notably, her recordings with: George Harrison and Pandit Ravi Shankar in the album ‘Chants of India’ (1996), the Japanese Band ‘Chari Chari’ in the album ‘In Time’ (2001/2); Jose Padilla in ‘Bella Musica’ (2003); Craig Pruess in ‘Temple of Spice’ (2002) and ‘Language of Love’ (2003); Bollywood music director Anu Malik in ‘Eyes’ (1994) and the Buddha Bar compilations such as Maja Cantoma (BB –X) – to name a few.
Deepa’s vocals have also featured on British film background scores and TV adverts – her film work includes hits such as ‘Bhaji on the Beach’, Bride and Prejudice’ and ‘Mistress of Spices’.
In 2006, Deepa released her debut solo album, ‘Into the Light’ – her first offering as a fully-fledged Indian composer/songwriter and vocalist, recorded and produced by Craig Pruess in England and released under the label ‘Heaven- on-Earth Music’.
Deepa’s ceaseless composing work continued; in 2012 she was signed to ‘Asli Music’, a Mumbai based record label, whose chief, KJ Singh produced her first single ‘Aa Pir Moreh’. She has now completed a brand new, ground-breaking, Sufi album titled ‘DESTINATION’, from which a stunning first single, ‘Ab Toh Jaag’, was released on 14 January 2015. Another video “Eh Tan Mera’ was released on her album launch on June 21st, 2015, World Music Day.
About the Women of the World Concert series
Equator Festival launched the Women of the World concert series in 2007, with the simple aim of promoting female performers from all music genres, from all over the world. Each year Equator showcases the best in female performers, musicians and songwriters. Over the last nine years the WOW series has presented music from Africa, Eastern-Europe, Middle East, India, Australia and the UK. The performances have included everything from choirs to solo performers, works you have heard before and new commissions. Previous performers include: Beyounes Quarter, Commander-in-Chief, Hannah Marcinowicz, Ignite Ensemble, London Bulgarian Choir, London Klezmer Quartet, London Tango Trio, Monica Vasconcelos, Oclay Bayir, Shallu Jindal and Shiva Nova
