Songs of the mystic saints of India: San Diego vocalist releases album 'RASA"
Mar 23, 2025
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Open your ears to a musical world where ancient devotion meets contemporary sound, as a North County vocalist releases her debut album, RASA, a melodic "dance of divine love."
Vineetha Menon is pictured. (Courtesy of Vineetha Menon)
After nearly two-years in the makin
g, Vineetha Menon, an artist of Indian-origin, has released a euphonious memento that's more than just music; it’s a vivid, sonic tapestry that weaves together the ancient with the modern, preserving sacred melodies and stories that have shaped spiritual heritage for centuries.
RASA has been described as a profound musical journey that reimagines the ancient devotional story of Lord Krishna's Rasa Lila—the divine dance of love between Lord Krishna and the Gopis, as told in the sacred scripture Srimad Bhagavatam. Krishna is a Hindu god revered as an incarnation of Vishnu, the protector and preserver of the universe, while Gopis refers to village maidens.
From the dawn prayers of the Gopis to Krishna’s playful mischief, the album transports listeners through a dreamlike journey on the moonlit banks of the Yamuna River, where the divine dance of love unfolds. The melodies have been lovingly preserved and given new life through Vineetha’s evocative voice and a remarkable blend of Indian ragas and Western orchestration.
Speaking of her album, Vineetha shared, "Devotion isn't confined to ancient stories. It's a living experience that transforms everyday existence into something extraordinary." Her voice, raw yet powerful, carries an authenticity that transcends technical perfection, channeling deep spiritual emotions she first encountered in her childhood through transformative experiences with spiritual masters across India. This authenticity is at the heart of RASA, making the album a personal invitation to listeners to embark on their own spiritual journeys.
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RASA is a global collaboration, a bridge between East and West, as the album features a cast of collaborators from all over, including:
Rushil Ranjan, a genre-defying composer from the United Kingdom and creator of the Orchestral Qawwali Project.
Ten Walls, a Lithuanian progressive house artist who infuses modern beats into the mix.
Tim McNalley, a California-based producer and musician.
Jay Menon, a singer and guitarist, also from the United Kingdom.
Ahead of the album launch, Vineetha released a music video for the song "Tumhare Karan." The dancers and videographers are both based in North County.
RASA, which was recorded is within the walls of Big Fish Recording Studio in Encinitas, is now available for streaming worldwide.
By bringing together ancient melodies and modern instrumentation, the album offers a fresh perspective on the timeless story of Lord Krishna, reminding us that devotion is an experience meant to be lived, not just remembered. ...read more read less