My music is inspired by ancient Hindu mantras, says British Indian Grammy nominee

It feels wonderful and affirming. The aim of the music was to reach beyond typical audiences and touch people unfamiliar with chant, mantra, or related philosophies. Seeing it achieve that feels like the music is fulfilling its purpose, and I’m simply witnessing its impact. It’s a great feeling.

All my music comes from personal experience. I have studied and practised with mantras for years, which has profoundly affected my voice. For instance, I struggled with a speech impediment growing up, but mantra has allowed me to hold conversations like this. ‘Warriors of Light’ stems from the concept that we must undergo personal transformations to understand our soul's purpose. Vedic philosophies often speak of internal battles one must overcome to realise one's true path. I have faced many internal struggles and observed the same challenges in others. I wanted to create music that could help listeners break free from limiting mindsets.

The real battle in life is with one’s own mind. I’ve experienced this and seen the change that comes when one engages with these sounds and vibrations, which I view as a science deeply rooted in our culture. Releasing ‘Warriors of Light’ now, when the world feels so intense, seems fitting. I hope it helps people recognise and empower the “warrior of light” within themselves.

The album features Sanskrit, Avadhi, Tamil, and English. My previous album, ‘Sapta’, was entirely in Sanskrit. As I explored our philosophies, I felt it was essential to embrace the diversity of our heritage, which expresses similar ideas across various historical languages. Some compositions, like one in Tamil dating back 3,500 years, explore cultural and personal challenges that feel timeless. Although Tamil is not my native language, it resonated deeply with me, almost as if reuniting with a familiar friend; I want to know everything about them – how they sound and feel and their qualities. For me, it's about the phonetics, and the utterance of sound

Languages have always fascinated me. I speak a bit of French, Spanish, and Swahili, the latter due to my family’s African roots. I believe language evolution captures the essence of different historical periods. Singing in various languages allows me to connect with the experiences of past generations, especially as many of these dialects are integral to our ancestral roots. For instance, the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ is in Avadhi, not Sanskrit or Hindi, and I made a conscious effort to honour its original nuances. It was important to me to keep the languages as authentic as possible to respect our rich heritage.

I approach this album with such incredible amount of love and gratitude because these chants have given me so much strength. Anything that loves you and gives you strength, you want to bow your head to, and you want to you want to approach it with respect.

Growing up British Indian, I experienced a blend of Indian traditions at home alongside Western culture. My parents encouraged me to embrace the opportunities available in the UK while remaining rooted in our Indian heritage. My family’s journey—from India to East Africa and then to England—has always inspired me. My parents reminded me that, despite growing up in the West, my roots are in India.

I view these roots as similar to those of a tree: the deeper they are, the stronger you are, no matter where life takes you. I am deeply grateful for this grounding, as it has given me a sense of belonging and stability that I carry with me wherever I go.