Biography
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Years Active
2002 – present (22 years)
Swarathma is an Indian folk-rock band from Bangalore, India. The sound is rooted in Indian folk traditions while drawing on rock, blues, and reggae motifs. The current line-up features Vasu Dixit (vocals and rhythm guitar), Pavan Kumar KJ (percussion and vocals), Varun Murali (guitar and vocals), Sanjeev Nayak (violin and vocals), Jishnu Dasgupta (bass guitar and vocals) and Joel Milan Baptist (drums). The band's sound draws from Indian Folk and Classical Music, blending it with Western sounds like Blues Rock and Reggae. Their lyrics are inspired by personal journeys as well as social and political themes.
Band Members
Vasu Dixit
Pavan Kumar KJ
Sanjeev Nayak
Jishnu Dasgupta
Varun Murali
Joel Milan Baptist
Past Members
Abhinanth Kumar
Arjun
Dheeraj Joseph
Montry Manuel
Swarathma's live act is all about infectious on-stage energy. Their act is high on interactivity with sing-along sections, ad-libbed repartee, and the occasional couplet. It also features faux folk-horses
and band members sporting Nehru Topis. This has made Swarathma a great festival band; they have played at The Great Escape, Lovebox, and Larmer Tree festivals in the UK, Parramasala in Australia, Kalaa Utsavam in Singapore, and Awtar Festival in Morocco. They are one of India's favorite festival bands with shows at the South Asian Band Festival in New Delhi, NH7 Weekender in Pune, and The Great Indian Octoberfest and Fireflies Festival of Music in Bangalore.
Social Consciousness and Activism
Swarathma supported the nation-wide movement against corruption with their track 'Topiwalleh'. They have also lent their voices to support the Bell Bajao campaign against domestic violence, the Small Steps cloth bag movement aimed at reducing the usage of plastic bags, and Twestival Bangalore in aid of the Dream-a-Dream Foundation. Swarathma's Action Replay series is about gifting music to those who
may not have access to it. These concerts are free, self-funded productions that are held at venues such as Leprosy Centres, Blind Schools, and Alzheimer’s care homes.
They were featured on the new TV Series "The Dewarists" where they featured alongside Shubha Mudgal, to create a new song 'Duur Kinara' (Distant Shore). They had previously collaborated with the acclaimed Indian Classical chanteuse in their acclaimed music video 'Pyaasi'.
More info:
Website | www.swarathma.com
Twitter | twitter.com/swarathma
Youtube | youtube.com/swarathma
Facebook | facebook.com/swarathma
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