Svara y Ritmo: A Carnatic-Latin Odyssey

Project RA: The Vibes Collective is a dynamic musical ensemble formed in 2013, built on a foundation of friendship, shared vision, and decades of collective experience in performance, composition, and musical leadership. The group was founded by Ramu Thiruyanam, a Singapore-based vibraphonist whose artistic journey spans classical training, jazz improvisation, and global rhythmic traditions.

Project RA’s sound is a vibrant fusion of Latin jazz, Carnatic classical, and contemporary grooves that defies boundaries and invites listeners into a rich tapestry of rhythm and melody. The ensemble feature a rotating lineup of accomplished musicians, each bringing their own voice to the collective’s evolving sound.

Bangalore-based and Grammy®-nominated singer-songwriter Varijashree Venugopal was recognised as a child prodigy who could identify 100 Carnatic ragas at just 18 months, and performing concerts since the age of four. She trained under her musician parents Vidwan H. S. Venugopal and Vidhushi T. V. Rama, as well as Vidhushi H. Geetha, Vidhushi Vasantha Srinivasan, Vidwan D. S. Srivatsa, and later Ganakalanidhi Vidwan Salem P. Sundaresan. Grounded in the intricacy and depth of Carnatic music, Varijashree is one of the pioneering artists known for applying the techniques, fundamentals, and the sound and soul of Indian singing within a global music context.

Apart from being a singer, Varijashree is also a flautist, composer, and music educator. Her unique vocal capabilities, improvisations, and application of Indian singing techniques to various music cultures have led to collaborations with leading global artists including Bobby McFerrin, Michael League, Snarky Puppy, Victor Wooten, Herbie Hancock, Béla Fleck, Hamilton de Holanda, Eddie Gomez, Anat Cohen, Jacob Collier, Praveen D Rao, C4 trio, Trio Bobo, Anoushka Shankar, and EYM trio, among others.