Overcoming a Speech Impediment Through Music
Vekaria’s early years were marked by difficulty in speech, leading to bullying and self-isolation. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, she shared, “I had a very bad speech impediment, and I was severely bullied for it. We get bullied for many things in life. Mine was my ability to express myself. And so that was something that forced me into the silence of my own mind.”
Despite her speech struggles, she discovered that she could sing with clarity. “A lot of people who have a speech impediment actually are very good singers,” she added. Her breakthrough came when she realised that music could help her express herself, ultimately aiding her in overcoming her speech impediment.
A Musical Healing Journey
Vekaria’s relationship with music was deeply rooted in her childhood. Growing up in London, she trained in Western classical piano but felt a strong connection to Indian music. “Music of our heritage is so incredibly rich. I believe that there are two things that carry our culture very well – food and music. Both are very tangible, visceral experiences. Every time I heard Indian music, I felt it in my body. And the body doesn’t lie,” she told Indian Express.
Her breakthrough album, Sapta: The Seven Ways (2020), propelled her to fame, making her the first mantra artist to perform at SXSW in Austin, Texas, in 2022. “As a 3-year-old, I would just naturally sing and chant mantras… as an adult, when I went back into that as a meditation, I realised that it was having a tremendous effect on my ability to articulate and speak,” she recounted.
Warriors of Light: A Culturally Diverse Album
Her Grammy-nominated album, Warriors of Light, took four years to create. She described it as “a lifetime of being made to realise the importance of finding my voice.” The album embraces a cross-cultural musical approach, featuring lyrics in Sanskrit, Hindi, Tamil, and English.Vekaria explained, “It’s so wonderful to bring something that bridges ancient systems and cultures and philosophies into a more modern palette while still honouring the past. You can still be in the present while honouring the past.”
A Change in Career Path
Originally, Vekaria was on a path to becoming an oncologist and had aspirations to study at Oxbridge. However, music became her true calling. With the support of her father, a music connoisseur, she pursued a career in music. “Very unlike an Indian parent, he was supportive and said that I should go ahead and do it,” she recalled. Her father, whom she later lost to cancer, played a pivotal role in shaping her artistic journey.
A Life-Changing Moment with AR Rahman
Vekaria’s career took a significant turn in 2009 when she was selected through an audition process to perform with legendary Indian composer AR Rahman. “I was playing with the sounds because I did not know the language. He was also present and trying to vocalise that music was a life-changing experience,” she said.
Her musical training was further enhanced under the guidance of Patiala gharana classical vocalist Ajoy Chakrabarty and at Ustad Ali Akbar College of Music in California.
A Historic Grammy Night
The 67th Grammy Awards will honour artists from diverse backgrounds, with numerous first-time winners making their mark. In addition to Vekaria’s nomination, the event will feature performances by Billie Eilish, Shakira, Lady Gaga, and Bruno Mars. Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Taylor Swift lead the list of nominees.
As Los Angeles recovers from recent wildfires, the Grammy ceremony will also spotlight the resilience of the city’s music community. The event, hosted by Trevor Noah, will pay tribute to first responders and support those affected by the disaster.
The Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+ on 2 February 2025.
