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GAAYATRI is a practicing Naad Yogini descending from one of the last living lineages of Naad Yogis. Her lineage, the Rampur-Maihar Senia Gharana, is one of the last living lines of music that can be traced back to Mian Tansen, a legendary musician who bears training from the greatest Naad Yogi of living memory - Swami Haridas. It is one of the last living traditions of Naad Yoga where music is passed down to students as a deeply spiritual practice, and practiced as a lifestyle. She is the first pure vocalist of this lineage since the 16th century and was trained to represent this rare vocal practice in its most authentic form.
GAAYATRI 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 training was deeply rooted in learning the kriyas or techniques of practicing Raaga as a tool for spiritual enlightenment, and grew up with this practice as a lifestyle.
GAAYATRI's 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 Singer, and Music Creator. Her voice has brought depth and emotion to some of the most iconic moments in film and television over the last decade.
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 handpicked 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 started her career as a Music Creator 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.
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.
Most recently, she has created music for Marvel Studios' hit animation show What If…?, combining 1930s jazz with South Indian cinematic style Bollywood music, marking a first-of-its-kind creation in a major studio production. She has scored films Mysore Magic, Mirage, and music directed 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.
