Menaka Thomas

“Thank you for helping me to achieve this dream.”

I have been singing for as long as I can remember.

I learned the traditional art of South Indian (Carnatic) music from a young age of 5 from my mother, Vijaya Visvanathan. The thing that I most keenly remember from my mother’s training is the way that she imparted the essence of Indian music; the essence of devotion, humility and surrender. She taught me how to access a deeper sense of connection to something bigger than just my own little self. Music then became my meditation. 

I had the opportunity to share music with my mother throughout my childhood and teenage years.

As a young adult, I had the privilege of exploring the fusion of Indian devotional music with other world musicians, including Tibetan singer Tenzin Choegyal, Tibet2Timbuktu, and Jazz guitarist Ravi Welsh. More recently, I was blessed to have been a part of the world music trio “Spirit of Bhakti”, with Rebecca Bornstein and Shen Flindell. 

I experience a great sense of fulfilment and freedom in being able to express the devotion of Indian music with other world music sounds. It enables and challenges me to use my voice in different ways and explore melody and harmony with freedom and creativity.

After a sudden deterioration in my health that saw me nearly lose my vision, I found myself writing words and trying to express emotion through song. Up till this time I had never considered myself a songwriter. I started recording these songs and a few of them will feature on my first album “My Eyes Can See”. 

Now, I continue to write, create, teach and perform. My vision is to unite, inspire and create inner peace through music. 

Thank you for helping me to achieve this dream.