Today: 2 August 2025
22 February 2023
2 mins read

Shivali loves all expressions of art, a combination of Karma

In times, when culture has become a victim of ‘left and right’ binaries, Bhammer feels it is high time we stop trying to box and brand people, and the arts…reports Sukant Deepak

She just ‘started’ singing one day…also a dancer, playwright, and former equity trader, whose latest album ‘The Bhajan Project 2’ released recently, UK-based Shivali Bhammer says she loves all expressions of the arts, which she thinks is a combination of karma, divine intervention and her mother watching ‘Pakeezah’ 15 times when she was pregnant.

Post the success of ‘The Bhajan Project’, the new one flaunts a collection of mantras, including ‘Mahamrityunjaya Mantra’, ‘Shanti Paath’, ‘Om Jai Jagdish Hare’ aarti, and other classics like ‘Paayjo Maine’ and ‘Raghupati Raghav’. The album, produced by singer, and songwriter Arjun Coomaraswamy is a modern expression of spirituality with a collection of Indian bhajans blended with a mix of beats and rhythms inspired by classic R&B, rock and pop.

The singer says, “The greatest gift of my life was the release of my devotional album, ‘The Bhajan Project’. Now a decade later, much has changed and altered in my life, successes, failures, losses, and gains — ‘The Bhajan Project 2’ encapsulates all of that because there is one thing that never changes, it is faith.”

She stresses that it is not ‘fascination’ that attracts her towards bhajans.

“It is more of an appreciation. I sing about what I love, and I love bhakti. We are so scared to say these things. I am not dogmatic by nature. Bhajans are a wonderful way to express love — and you find it in every faith whether it’s Sufi songs, Christian hymns, or in a Jewish home. I feel bhajans vibrate at a higher frequency as they inspire you to be your best self.”

Talk to her about reactions from purists and she stresses everyone is free to have an opinion. Believing contemporary music is a pure form of music and hence if it doesn’t fit the conventional bracket of what is a ‘purist’, it is still an evolving art form with great production and sound.

“I feel an honest purist will be happier with the fact that the bhajans are coming back and reaching the younger generation. If the point is to hear God’s name, then surely the more people who take to Bhajans, the better, no?”

In times, when culture has become a victim of ‘left and right’ binaries, Bhammer feels it is high time we stop trying to box and brand people, and the arts.

“What is right-wing about culture? It is conceived from beauty, philosophy, and rituals. It is really sad we are trying to politicise it. Just because someone is passionate about their culture, does not mean they are unaccepting of other cultures. Yes, I represent my culture in music and dance — however, I was born and raised in London. I grew up singing Christian prayers and hymns, my best friend is Jewish, and one of the closest couples in my life is Muslim.”

ALSO READ-‘Traditional dance does not really need a choreographer’

Previous Story

‘AIC-RNTU provides holistic exposure to promising startups’

Next Story

‘Backing women artisans’

Latest from Lite Blogs

Books That Transform Lives

Numerology meets personal empowerment in Sunita Das’s “Magical Effect of Numbers”. A compassionate numerologist and philanthropist, Das unveils the power of numbers in shaping one’s destiny, while also supporting social causes like

India’s Innovation Powerhouse Emerges

According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2023 by Startup Genome, San Francisco, USA, five Indian startup ecosystems have secured spots in the top 15 Asian ecosystem: Bengaluru-Karnataka; Kerala; Odisha; Tamil Nadu;

Censor Board Clears Mareesan for Release

The film’s music, composed by the acclaimed Yuvan Shankar Raja, further elevates the emotional and philosophical undertones of the film The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has officially granted a U/A

Chopra’s Support Fueled ‘Maharaj’

The 2024 historical thriller marked the acting debut of Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid Khan, whom Siddharth described as “like a son.” Filmmaker Siddharth P. Malhotra has credited Aditya Chopra’s unwavering emotional support

EVENT: GBS UK Graduation

London’s Prestigious Wembley Stadium Hosts GBS UK Graduation for 2025 Almost 2,000 Global Banking School UK students graduated from a range of courses, all aimed at making them valuable assets for employers
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Indian art festival to improve the quality of art

Quality and trust are not only the keys to building

Embracing a Timeless Legacy of Arts at SIFAS Festival of Arts 2024

Established in 1949, SIFAS has been a cornerstone of Indian