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Radhika Vekaria’s journey encompasses tragedy, discovery, wonder, and a sense of ultimate triumph. Evidence of the latter is abundant throughout her art. Her Indian/East African/British roots afford her an uniquely cosmopolitan perspective on the world that her experiences have further accentuated. She harbored youthful dreams of pursuing a career in medicine, specifically as an oncologist, before steering herself toward music. Her artistic talents have attracted a bevy of world-class collaborators ranging from Damon Sharpe, artist Jeff Koons, Prince, Lee Ryan, and Enrique Iglesias, among others.
The Los Angeles-based Vekaria’s full-length release Warriors of Light continues following the same upward trajectory. I know many Western listeners will be initially put off by the material due to its heavy reliance on Indian language lyrics. However, the open-minded will stay and keep coming back for more. She grounds tracks such as album opener “Asato Ma Sadgamaya (Purification Prayer)” deep in Eastern music and philosophy. The immense emotion we hear pouring from such performances smashes past arbitrary borders and achieves universal resonance. It sets the stages for everything that follows.
I am enamored by the first extended piece, “Kali”. Vekaria makes outstanding use of dynamics in her compositions and the effortless dramatic sweep of “Kali” never threatens to overwhelm listeners. One of the key attributes grabbing my attention is how well Vekaria weaves her voice around and plays off the song’s percussion. Another strength for me is her ceaseless ability to transcend spoken language barriers and craft relatable messages based on her voice alone. “Release Your Fears (Jaya Jaya Durge Ma)” is one of Warriors of Light’s dynamic high points. Percussion keys the ebb and flow of this peak moment, and incorporating a bit of spoken word delivery into the cut further diversifies its audience impact. Her talent for effortlessly transitioning between English and Indian language supplies another focus point for listeners.
The album’s title song, “Warriors of Light (The Call)”, reverses that balance. Vekaria’s delivery favors spoken word by far without ever dispensing entirely with traditional singing. Title cuts are often heard and seen as a defining moment in any release. Vekaria never presents this song in such an obviously heavy-handed manner. It does possess a gossamer-like quality, not tethered to earth. It casts a spiritual spell that never defaults to dogma.
“Hanuman Chalisa” is one of two tracks featuring guest talents supporting Vekaria. Both contributions share the same strength of blending their skills with Vekaria’s rather than superimposing their talents over the performance. This track shares the same propensity for a slowly developed opening; it rises into being rather than begins. However, it radiates a distinctive intensity that occupies its own space.
Vekaria bookends with the aforementioned “Asato Ma Sadgamaya (Purification Prayer)” and Warriors of Light’s concluding cut “Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu (Peace Prayer)”. They share a similar musical temperament. Vekaria self-consciously structures the collection’s nine tracks with a handful of motifs, and gradual introductions are consistent across the board. “Lokah Samasah Sukhino Bhavantu (Peace Prayer)” benefits from the same patient development defining the opener and closes Radhika Vekaria’s Warriors of Light on a thoughtful yet impassioned note.
Jenifer Munoz
