Varijashree Venugopal
Varijashree Venugopal Bio
Varijashree Venugopal comes from a rich background of an intricate classical music discipline of Carnatic music, and is one of the pioneering artists in applying the techniques, fundamentals, and the sound and soul of Indian singing in the global music context.
Varijashree was widely recognised as a child prodigy who could identify 100 Carnatic ragas at the tender age of 18 months, who began performing Carnatic concerts at the age of 4. She initially trained under her musician parents Vidwan H S Venugopal and Vidhushi T V Rama, Vidhushi H Geetha, Vidhushi Vasantha Srinivasan, Vidwan D S Srivatsa, and later under Ganakalanidhi Vidwan Salem P Sundaresan.
Apart from being a singer, Varijashree is also a flautist, composer, a song writer, and a music educator.
Varijashree is a Grammy-nominated artist, known for her unique capabilities of using the voice as an instrument and the blending of her musicality with various music cultures, applying Indian singing techniques. Being a sought after artist, Varijashree has been featured alongside and collaborated with eminent musical personalities in the world such as Bobby McFerrin, Michael League (Snarky Puppy), Victor Wooten, Béla Fleck, Hamilton de Holanda, Eddie Gomez, C4 trio, Trio Bobo, Anat Cohen, Praveen D Rao, Jacob Collier, Anoushka Shankar, and more.
Music
Vari (The Live Sessions) (2025)
‘Vari (The Live Sessions)’ feels like a journey through Varijashree’s musical soul. Her exceptional vocal brilliance meanders through a deeply rich, layered and nuanced soundscape with such effortless grace. The incredible family of musicians and a particularly remarkable pair of ears on the mixing board make this album profoundly special and intimately ambient. It almost feels like she is singing to you. Just to you. In a room. It’s an experience of her music in its purest form - raw, spontaneous, deeply immersive and uncannily intimate.
Arranged into live format by Michael League, mixed by Nic Hard, and mastered by Dave McNair, this special release is a curated selection of 7 tracks from her eponymous album Vari, reimagined in a new sonic space, performed and captured in the artiste’s hometown, Bengaluru.
Featuring:
- Michael League
- Pramath Kiran
- Jayachandra Rao
- Apoorva Krishna
- Vivek Santhosh
- Praveen D Rao (special guest)
VARI (2024)
"VARI" is Varijashree Venugopal’s first original music album, produced by Grammy Award-winning artist Michael League, acclaimed for his work with Snarky Puppy. This album is an enriching exploration of the global soundscape, where Indian classical music meets a diverse array of musical traditions, all brought together by the rhythmic tapestry of Indian percussion. It is a sonic journey with a singular mission: to unite cultures through the universal language of music.
"VARI" in the language of Sanskrit, translates to ‘water’ - a symbol of life, fluidity, and grace. Water embodies purity, clarity, and transparency - qualities that inspire the harmonious interflow of diverse musical cultures within this album.
Each track on "VARI" invites listeners on a transcendent odyssey, merging boundaries and carrying India's rich musical heritage to far-flung corners of the world. This eagerly awaited album is a vibrant celebration of global diversity, skillfully weaving together sounds, melodies, and rhythms from across the planet. "VARI" serves as a timeless testament to the power of music to bridge cultures, embodying the spirit of world music and the beauty of shared artistic expression.
From the Artist:
This album is an ode to all the teachers who have shared a piece of their life with me; taught me how to experience, explore, expand, and express through the medium of music. Being a student of Carnatic Music for the past three decades has enabled me to find my voice.
“VARI” is a love story of all the musical threads from around the world that have come together to weave the fabric of my creative being.
It is an immense honour to have Michael League produce this album, an artist that I immensely admire and have the privilege of calling my dear friend, along with yet another gem of a friend and musician par excellence, Pramath Kiran, who has co-produced this album.
I thank my parents, gurus, and well wishers for continually sending me their best energies and blessings right from the moment I sang my first note.
Seeking for an eternal flow of sound,
Vari
