Get ready for a unique musical journey! Violinist Apoorva Krishna’s highly anticipated album, Only Love is Real, masterfully fuses the rich traditions of Carnatic music with vibrant contemporary soundscapes. This exciting new collaboration, released by Vedam Records, boasts an impressive lineup of Oscar- and Grammy-winning artists. Mark your calendars for October 17, when the album will make its live premiere at the iconic Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington, D.C.
Apoorva Krishna’s artistic expression is deeply rooted in her personal experiences, shaped by moments of uncertainty, profound loss, and exhilarating joy. Throughout these diverse emotions, a singular truth consistently emerged: love remains the ultimate constant. Apoorva explains, “Whether it’s divine love, romantic affection, familial bonds, or self-love, this entire album blossomed from that powerful realization.”
She elaborates, “This album is a heartfelt and honest reflection of my inner world. It wasn’t merely an exercise in blending musical genres; it was about letting the music genuinely express my emotions. While my artistic foundation is firmly planted in classical tradition, the rest emerged from an open mind, allowing the compositions to evolve organically.”
Tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain
The soulful track, ‘Merging Parallels’, is a special tribute to the legendary Ustad Zakir Hussain. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The album opens with ‘White,’ a piece inspired by Raga Kannada, featuring the talents of Aman Mahajan and Sunaad Anoor. Apoorva notes, “It’s a vibrant celebration of my love for Carnatic music, embodying feelings of bliss and deep belonging.” Another poignant track, ‘Between The Lines,’ explores themes of grief and emotional turmoil, featuring an incredible lineup: Vijay Prakash, Spanish jazz saxophonist Perico Sambeat, Eve Matin on harp, Patrick Graney on flamenco percussion, and Vinod Anoor on mridangam. Apoorva describes this track as navigating “a whirlwind of feelings — sadness, confusion, anger, and ultimately, acceptance.”
‘Skyline Drive,’ a collaboration with LA-based musician Aaron Sinclair, offers a captivating blend of Carnatic violin and Western cello, forging a truly unique soundscape. The album’s heartfelt tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain, ‘Merging Parallels,’ showcases an intricate composition with performances by Varijashree Venugopal, Aleif Hamdan, Sunaad Anoor, and Bruthuva Caleb. This track brilliantly incorporates advanced Carnatic improvisation concepts through 18 simultaneous tonic and scale shifts.
Apoorva Krishna emphasizes that her musical journey has been a continuous process of learning and evolving. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Another evocative track, ‘Surrender,’ features Michael League, beautifully weaving together violin, oud, and voice. Apoorva describes it as “a humble attempt at letting go, simply being, and trusting the Universe.” ‘Sacred Roots,’ a collaboration with Momin Khan, brings together the Carnatic violin and Hindustani sarangi. Completing this soulful collection is ‘Song of the Heart,’ featuring multi-instrumentalist, producer, and vocalist Mia Garcia, which represents a profound surrender to the unknown and a dance of trust and acceptance.
Reflecting on her artistic path, Apoorva describes her musical journey as one of “constant learning and continuous growth.” Among her early independent ventures was Apoorva Thillanas, a captivating collection of five original Carnatic thillanas. This period also saw her awarded the prestigious London Tarisio Young Artist Grant for her debut composition, ‘Bahudari.’ Such foundational explorations paved the way for her album Intuition, which featured notable collaborations with artists like Shankar Mahadevan, Varijashree, Aaron, and William Cepeda.