“I have always been fascinated with the human voice and how it can be used as an instrument without the barriers of language or culture,” says Varijashree Venugopal, an accomplished singer and flautist from Bengaluru. As she juggles rehearsals for her upcoming live launch of her debut album “Vari” in Bengaluru on May 17, the anticipation is palpable. The album, which made its digital debut on May 10, is a testament to her years of musical exploration and innovation.
“We are going to play the entire album live and have rearranged the entire set of songs for this scenario. Six of us will be playing these songs for the first time in India and we are beginning with Bangalore,” she elaborates, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.
Reflecting on her musical journey, Varijashree credits her interest in jazz artists like Bobby McFerrin for sparking her fascination with scat singing and vocal improvisation. “I started experimenting with scat singing in jazz and how it could be applied in my musical context. The improvisational elements in these styles that bring these two worlds together struck a chord in me as a vocalist,” she explains.
Her versatility extends beyond jazz, as she has actively sought to understand and integrate various musical genres, such as Brazilian choro, bossa nova, and samba, using the Indian sargam-swara system. “There are so many things that are similar mathematically and improvisationally among these forms of music,” she remarks.
In her debut album, Varijashree collaborates with Michael League of Snarky Puppy, who has taken on the roles of music producer and band director. “Michael worked out all the arrangements so we can all play as a six-member band in a way that is close to the original energy and impact of our sound.”
Varijashree expresses immense gratitude to Michael for his unwavering encouragement. “Michael and I met about 10 years ago in New York through a common circle of friends. At the time, I was exploring different forms of music and applying the techniques and fundamentals of Carnatic music to other genres. Michael had come across some of my work through his musician friends, and when we met, we hit it off — we had so many things to share and discuss.”
Despite releasing a few original singles over the past decade, the concept of a full-length original album seemed a distant dream for Varijashree. “Michael pushed me into believing in this idea,” she says, appreciating his role in her musical evolution. “He travelled halfway to get the best out of this world, and I travelled halfway to understand harmony and how to implement it in the style I practice.”
“Vari” is a culmination of Varijashree’s musical learning and growth. Reflecting on the album’s roots, she says, “It might not be traditional Carnatic music, but if you listen to it, you will understand that this person has a background in this genre. Fundamentally, it reflects my soul’s connection to music — this is where I come from.”
The influence of her parents, accomplished musicians H.S. Venugopal and T.V. Rama, whom she calls her “first gurus,” is evident throughout the album. “90% of the music on the album comes from Indian instruments such as the nadaswaram and thavil from temples, dollu and tamate from folk songs, the mridangam, sarangi and shehnai and tabla from classical music, and a Carnatic violin section which is a relatively new concept.”
Varijashree introduces novel elements to Indian classical music, notably crafting harmonies with voices, a departure from the traditionally melody-oriented genre. “About 80% of the album’s lyrical content is original compositions, while two are traditional or saint poetry by Purandara Dasa that have been arranged into a modern soundscape.”
Moreover, she shares her challenges in navigating language barriers. “There is one English song which is also a first for me because I don’t usually sing in that language.” Despite her preference for Kannada, she believes, “language actually doesn’t matter, as long as we are able to communicate the emotional quotient of the music.”
The creation of “Vari” was a collaborative effort, with contributions from musicians like percussionist Pramath Kiran, who co-produced the album, and other idols like Victor Wooten, Anat Cohen, Hamilton de Holanda, Bela Fleck, Rajhesh Vaidhya, Ojas Adhiya, and B.C. Manjunath. “These are people I have admired for so long, and to have them contribute their musical experience and artistry to my album is a dreamy reality for me.”
As Varijashree prepares for her live performances, she reflects on the reception of her music at the Groundup Music Festival in Miami. “The audience there had no clue about where this music was from, yet, they were all so open-hearted which boosted me no end.”
Bengaluru’s Chowdiah Memorial Hall will host the live performance on May 17, followed by a show in Mumbai on May 18. Vari is now available on all streaming platforms, inviting listeners to embark on Varijashree Venugopal’s extraordinary musical journey.
