The twins from Singapore discuss blending Indian classical music with contemporary styles and shaping a global healing sound movement.

Ganesh: Music has been part of our lives for as long as we can remember. Our dad is a music enthusiast – he plays a percussion instrument called the mridangam. Growing up, our household was always filled with classical music by legends like M. S. Subbulakshmi and Zakir Hussain.

Sriram: What we love about Indian classical music is the pure alchemy of raga. That one emotive melody can rip your heart open and make you laugh and cry at the same time. No chords; no harmony tricks. Just a single line of notes that feels like the voice of the universe is flirting with your soul.

Ganesh: Ragas are straight-up sound medicine for the soul. People have experienced it for themselves, and science backs it up as well. Specific ragas can lower cortisol and steady heart rate, bringing balance to the autonomic nervous system.

Sriram: We were classically trained at the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society. But when we attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, we were exposed to different genres of music that were more contemporary.

Ganesh: We also had the chance to interact with students and artists from other parts of the world. The diverse, open-minded environment at Berklee opened our eyes to the limitless possibilities in music, breaking down mental barriers about what music could be.

Sriram: As lead singers in the Berklee Indian Ensemble, we contributed to their Grammy-nominated album Shuruaat, and it was midway through college that we honed our signature sound.

Our music blends Indian classical ragas with ambient textures, contemporary styles, spoken affirmations and layered soundscapes, creating a soothing, timeless yet modern sonic experience that is calming.

Siriam: In May last year, we were invited by Pandora and SiriusXM to produce a special release for World Mental Health Awareness Month and World Meditation Day.

Ganesh: Mental health is widely recognised as a growing problem affecting the world. We’ve received thousands of comments and messages across our social platforms where people tell us our music gives them profound healing experiences.

Women feel our music to manage labour pain, people report relief from anxiety and chronic illnesses, and there are repeated descriptions of our voices inducing meditative and even transcendent states.

Siriam: Listeners frequently describe our harmonies as “divine”, “therapeutic” and capable of “taking them to a different world”, confirming that the healing effect is not marketing hype, but a lived reality for a growing global audience.

When our music became Pandora’s top-streamed wellness release, and we saw ourselves featured on Times Square’s billboards, it was very humbling. It was a sign that music for wellness and meditation belongs in the centre of culture, not just the margins.

Ganesh: We see sound-healing with authentic soundscapes as the next frontier. Our debut album will feel less like a collection of songs and more like a journey. It is in the works, so please stay tuned.

Interview by Arman Shah

READ: MUSICIANS IN SINGAPORE