SAN FRANCISCO: A collaboration between artists from three countries - India, Pakistan and the US - brings to the market a unique album that announces the debut of San Francisco based Indian singer - Devika. Music for this self-titled album has been composed by Shahi (Shehzad Hasan), a music director and producer whose work includes songs such as Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's Mann Ki Lagan and Laal (from the movie Paap).
He was also one of the members of Pakistan's first ever pop band - Vital Signs. Additional compositions are by Anshuman Chandra (an upcoming composer who composed music for the film French Fries and Curry) and Noor Lodhi and Manesh Judge (music producers of international award winning music for the movie Maya). The production started with rough compositions being penned & recorded in Shahi's studio in Pakistan as well as Noor's studio in San Francisco.
These were then transmitted to the other side over the Internet -- enhanced, decorated and re-transmitted back and forth until the music, compositions & vocals were rock solid. The result was a truly a global production - bringing together different artists, styles, recording and production capabilities from different parts of the world. Devika is well versed in Hindustani classical music - having learned under the supervision of several great teachers including Chandra Rao (student of famous violinist Dr N. Rajam).
She is currently a student of Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan and Ustad Sukhawat Ali Khan. Devika's music career started in the early years of her life. She performed frequently through high school (Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi), using both classical and popular styles to capture her audience. During her undergraduate study years at Georgetown University, Washington DC, she experimented with a fusion of Indian classical music & electronic music.
She also teamed up with Holmes Ives and performed vocals for the album titled 'Satyriasis,' whose tracks have been remixed numerous times. The theme of her self titled debut album is romance and every song carries it through. The songs span a variety of different styles including lounge, club, easy listening, Punjabi and film. The goal of the album is to demonstrate the versatility of vocal performance and to create a collection where any listener can easily find something to connect with.
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