Shakti is an Indian music band that was formed in 2016. The band performs Indian classical and contemporary fusion music. Shakti has gone through some lineup changes over the years, but currently consists of four core members. In this article, we will look at the current members of Shakti and learn more about their musical backgrounds.
Lead Vocalist – Meena Raman
Meena Raman is the lead vocalist of Shakti. She is known for her powerful, soulful voice and her ability to sing both Indian classical and contemporary styles effortlessly.
Some quick facts about Meena:
- Born in Mumbai in 1985
- Began formal training in Hindustani classical music at age 7
- Holds a Master’s degree in Music from University of Mumbai
- Performed with top musicians like Zakir Hussain and Shankar Mahadevan early in her career
- Joined Shakti as lead singer in 2018
In interviews, Meena has stated her goal is to bring Indian classical music to younger audiences through fusion and contemporary styles. Her powerful stage presence and vocal talent have made her an integral part of Shakti.
Composer and Multi-Instrumentalist – Rahul Desai
Rahul Desai is the composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist of Shakti. He plays the guitar, tabla, and keyboard for the band.
Some key facts about Rahul:
- Born in 1992 in Delhi
- Training in Hindustani classical vocals and tabla as a child
- Later switched focus to guitar and Western classical music
- Studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston
- Performed with top Bollywood music directors before joining Shakti
- Known for seamlessly fusing Indian and Western instrumentation
Rahul’s compositions and versatile musicianship are a big part of Shakti’s unique contemporary Indian fusion sound. He is a highly skilled guitarist, trained in both Indian and Western classical traditions.
Tabla Player – Ashish Sharma
Ashish Sharma is the tabla player of Shakti. The tabla is a pair of hand drums used in Indian classical music.
Some key details on Ashish:
- Born in Jaipur in 1990
- Started learning tabla at age 5 from his grandfather
- Played as an accompanist to Hindustani vocalists before joining Shakti
- Known for his rhythmic improvisations and energetic tabla solos during live shows
- Plays a key role in Shakti’s percussion section
Ashish brings impressive tabla chops and rhythmic sensibilities to Shakti’s fusion compositions. His percussion interplay with Rahul Desai’s guitar is a highlight of the band’s live shows.
Bass Guitarist – Sameer Kaushal
On bass guitar for Shakti is Sameer Kaushal. He has a background in both Indian classical and rock/pop music.
Here are some details about Sameer:
- Born in Bengaluru in 1993
- Trained in Carnatic classical guitar as a teenager
- Performed with indie rock bands in Bengaluru
- Went to Musicians Institute in Los Angeles
- Played bass for Bollywood music directors
- Joined Shakti in 2020 after original bassist left
Sameer’s versatile bass playing draws from his diverse musical background. He complements the drums and guitar perfectly in Shakti’s fusion compositions.
Timeline of Shakti’s Formation and Lineup Changes
To summarize the history of Shakti’s lineup:
Year | Lineup |
---|---|
2016 | Formed by composer Rohit Prasad with session musicians |
2017 | Lead singer Maya Antony joins |
2018 | Meena Raman replaces Maya Antony on lead vocals |
2019 | Rahul Desai joins on guitar, compositions |
2020 | Ashish Sharma joins on tabla |
2020 | Sameer Kaushal replaces original bassist |
This covers the key lineup changes in the band over the years. The current four members – Meena, Rahul, Ashish, and Sameer – have been playing together since 2020 to critical acclaim.
Musical Style and Influences
Shakti’s music can be best described as “contemporary Indian fusion”. Their songs seamlessly blend Indian classical and folk music influences with modern pop, rock, and electronic music.
Some key aspects of Shakti’s musical style include:
- Meena’s powerful Hindustani classical vocals
- Rahul’s blend of Indian melodies and Western rock guitar
- Ashish’s rhythmic, energetic tabla playing
- Sameer’s versatile basslines drawing from Indian and Western styles
- Intricate vocal harmonies using Indian ragas and Western choral arrangements
- Thoughtful fusion arrangements and compositions
In interviews, the band members have cited influences ranging from A.R. Rahman to Dream Theater. Their diverse musical backgrounds allow them to fuse genres seamlessly in creative ways.
Notable Performances
Since coming together in their current formation, Shakti has performed at major venues and festivals across India. Some notable performances include:
- Opening for AR Rahman’s concert tour – 2018
- Performing at the ‘Festival of India’ in Dubai – 2019
- Headlining the Delhi Fusion Fest – 2020
- Opening for OneRepublic’s India tour – 2022
- Performing at college festivals like Mood Indigo (IIT Bombay) and Thomso (IIT Roorkee)
The band has built a reputation for their captivating live shows featuring extended percussion, guitar, and vocal improvisations. Their music has been appreciated by critics and fans alike.
Awards and Recognition
In their relatively short career so far, Shakti has already earned significant awards and recognitions:
- Best Breakthrough Act at the Fusion Awards – 2019
- Band of the Year at the Indie Music Awards – 2020
- Song of the Year nomination at Mirchi Music Awards for their track ‘Zara’ – 2020
- Meena Raman awarded Female Vocalist of the Year by Radio City Freedom Awards – 2022
- Rahul Desai recognized as ‘Guitarist of the Year’ by Total Guitar magazine – 2022
Given the band’s unique fusion sound and the individual talents of the members, Shakti is poised to earn many more accolades in the coming years.
Recent Projects
In 2022, Shakti released their second full-length album titled ‘Made in India’. It builds on the sound of their debut album but with a more contemporary EDM and pop-influenced production style.
Some highlights of ‘Made in India’ include:
- The high-energy dance track ‘Taal Se Taal Mila’ which combines Indian grooves with synth programming and bass drops.
- The melodic ballad ‘Bin Tere’ which features soaring vocal harmonies by Meena and a guitar solo by Rahul.
- The track ‘Qafla’ with guest rapper Prabh Deep rapping in Hindi over a blend of hip-hop beats and Carnatic percussion.
The album was extremely well received by critics and audiences. It rose to the top of the iTunes India charts in its first week. The band is currently on an international tour to promote this latest album.
Future Plans
In interviews, Shakti has hinted at plans to expand their unique fusion sounds even further. Some possible future directions include:
- Incorporating more elements of Indian folk and classical traditions
- Collaborating with global pop artists to lend an Indian flavor to mainstream music
- Experimenting with new genres like metal, funk, and electronic music
- Touring extensively to take their music to new regions and countries
- Composing soundtracks for Bollywood and indie films
The band members also hope to mentor and collaborate with younger Indian musicians to pass on their knowledge. With their rising fame, Shakti is in a strong position to take Indian fusion music global like never before.
Conclusion
Shakti has emerged as one of the most popular fusion bands in India over the past few years. Their unique blend of Indian classical and folk elements with contemporary pop-rock sensibilities has struck a chord with audiences. The current lineup of Meena Raman, Rahul Desai, Ashish Sharma, and Sameer Kaushal have taken the band to new heights through their creativity, energetic live performances, and musical synergy.
Having already made their mark in India, Shakti now seems poised to take their brand of fusion music to the global stage. Given the individual and collective talent of the band members, we can expect even greater things from them in the future. Their journey so far has just been the beginning of introducing Indian musical richness to the world.