SPOTLIGHT

VANDANA VISHWAS RETURNS TO HER ROOTS WITH KABEERA: THE THINKER

Vandana Vishwas.

Vandana Vishwas, the critically acclaimed architect and musician, is poised to digitally release her highly-anticipated fourth music album, Kabeera: The Thinker on October 11.

While Vishwas’s musical journey has seen her explore the realms of contemporary poetry in her previous album Monologues and Parallels, she has always maintained a deep respect for the classic poetry that has enriched Indian culture as is obvious from the fact that even in these two albums, she paid homage to Mirza Ghalib, Jigar Muradabadi and Bulle Shah, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to preserving the essence of timeless works.

Since her earliest years, Vishwas was awestruck by the lyrical prowess of Meera Bai’s poems and their mesmerizing musical interpretations by legendary singers like Lata Mangeshkar and Kishori Amonkar. Her award-winning debut album, Meera – The Lover breathed life into the devotional romantic poems of 16th century Indian poet-queen Meera Bai and catapulted Vishwas into the World Music scene of North America.

In her latest album, she celebrates Kabeer Das, known for criticizing the contradictory narratives and dogmas of his times. His teachings focused on direct spiritual experience. He was also a social reformer, advocating for love, compassion, and equality. Kabeer’s poetry and philosophy have had a profound impact on Indian culture and spirituality. Like Meera Bai, his verses too are still widely read and sung in various forms of Indian music and he remains a beloved figure, inspiring people to seek a deeper connection with the divine and promoting a life of compassion and love. Music celebrating Kabeer Das’ poetry has gradually evolved into a distinct genre of its own within the Indian subcontinent. In the face of numerous similar sounding musical albums following this conventional style, merely adding another one would have been a redundant exercise. Hence, Vishwas diverts from the norm and infuses contemporary musical arrangements into her distinctive and captivating melodies, delivering the verses gently with a refined rendering. Her ethereal vocals and innovative compositions serve as a conduit to rediscover the depth and wisdom contained within Kabeer Das’s poetry.

This transformation is a deliberate departure from norm, as a homage, as a testament to the timelessness of Kabeer’s wisdom and his ability to inspire fresh artistic expression.

Like her previous works, this musical tribute promises to be a mesmerizing journey, blending the spiritual and the musical. Her ability to connect cultures and convey the essence of Indian music to a global audience is a testament to her artistry and devotion to her craft.

Music enthusiasts and poetry lovers alike are invited to pre-order Kabeera: The Thinker on iTunes, Bandcamp and other digital portals and embark on an enchanting voyage through the words of Kabeer Das, as reimagined by Vandana Vishwas.

For more information about Vandana Vishwas and updates about the album release, please visit www.vandanavishwas.com.

Pre-ordering is available through iTunes, Bandcamp and other digital platforms.