Famed Indian singer Deepa Nair was in Birmingham this month for an open event to showcase her soulful voice.
Deepa, brought up and currently based in London but of South Indian descent, has one successful album ‘Into the Light’ and boasts a range of collaborations from George Harrison to Buddha Bar.
The singer hosted a free event at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, in partnership with local cultural organisation Sampad, and Asian World were there to ask the singer a few questions.
Asian World: Tell me about the new album 
Deepa Nair: I’ve almost finished my new album (‘Saranai’). I’ve taken verses from the Sikh scriptures and I composed the music to it. I took a flight to Mumbai and got into a studio and worked with some absolutely awesome musicians. It’s a very acoustic, organic feel, not synthesised or electronic. It’s essentially a trio: voice, piano, and acoustic guitar, with some added cello parts in certain tracks.
And your new single?
The single has already been released. It came out on 13th April. It’s called ‘AaPirMoreh’. It’s quite innovative because I’ve taken a classical composition and put it in a rock format. It is released by my Label in India, ASLI music.
What inspires your music?
Definitely a devotional element: I’m on the spiritual path and I like to think of something outside the material plane and that there is some higher being or higher power out there, and I like to explore that subject, using music as my medium.
What was it like working with George Harrison and Ravi Shankar on ‘Chimes of India’?
It was all so fast. Apparently George and Ravi consulted the BharatiyaVidyaBhavan which is this Indian cultural institute in West Kensington, London, and they were looking for Indian singers. Someone there mentioned my name and the search was on to find me; when they contacted me I was asked to be at Henley-On-Thames the following day and George’s chauffeur was there to pick me up. I was taught the song in the car and on the short drive I had to learn it. I was actually drafted in as part of a small group of singers for group chanting but they singled me out because they liked my voice, and called me back for a solo session. I spent two whole days at George’s place, and what an amazing person he was.
Has growing up in London impacted your music?
Yes, it may not be immediately obvious but underneath the surface the influence is there. Growing up in London I was a huge fan of bands like Duran Duran, so I was a typical teenager who was crazy about these kind of bands; I also studied Western music at GCE level and upto Grade 6. It has all broadened my understanding and impacted me in a very subtle way.
And you’re also teaching?
Anybody that comes to learn from me what I try and do is go through the common basics with them, whether it’s North or South Indian; I’m not too hung up on these distinctions, and concentrate on vocal techniques because Indian singing has a particular flow. No two notes are independent of each other, when you sing they flow in a certain way – they’re related to each other. That technique is what I focus on.
What advice do you give to learners?
Relentless listening – to the masters of the early C20th. Listening is an integral part of your training in Indian and classical music. Finding the right teacher – you need to make an effort and do your research, but obviously find one you’re comfortable with. Classical music cannot be learned from books. At some point you will need a Master to sit with and understand because there are so many layers to this very deep and profound subject.
What are your future plans?
In the process of recording the vocals for the new album, I was in a recording studio in Cardiff and recorded a cellist who belongs to a welsh quartet and she loved my material and I was very inspired. We have a semi-plan on collaborating Indian vocals with a welsh quartet. I have several other things in mind. I want to do a whole album dedicated to the mystics and spiritual philosophers from every century and compose some music to it. I also want to form an all-female band.
