Interviewed and Written by Devanshi Arora
Shivani Sen blurs the line between the traditional and the contemporary, crafting a sound and poetic style that delicately balances her Indian roots with Western influences. Her work embodies a blend of cultures she curates experiences for her audience that are deeply personal yet undoubtedly universal. She harmonises contrasting worlds bringing her to the forefront of the modern creative landscape.
Sen is a vibrant soul and a multi-disciplinary artist. Currently, she is immersed in her music and poetry. After spending 21 years in Delhi, she moved to London to pursue her Master's degree while furthering her creative career as a musician and poet. DominAsian sat down with Shivani to discuss her creative practice, better understand how her childhood contributed to her art, and explore the essence of her creativity.
She has been training in Hindustani classical music for the past 21 years, starting her lessons at 4 years old. Her family noticed her natural inclination towards the harmonium at home, and they had a feeling that this would become her craft. When Shivani’s tunes on the harmonium wafted their way through the Sen household, it was understood that music is her natural talent and passion. Since then, Shivani has studied with several gurus across India and graduated from multiple music schools. In addition to her extensive training in this performing art, she has also trained in Western vocals and the piano with Trinity College London.
Shivani comes from a Bengali household and grew up with the likes of Rabindra Sangeet playing in the corners of her house. When performing her creative practice and singing music, Shivani tells us that she ascends into her mind, leaving the worries of the present behind. She approaches her songs with a unique reverence and sincerity to this craft. Having experienced her work, when Shivani performs, you are taken on a beautiful journey that is an otherworldly experience. Her devotion has presented her in front of many crowds in her life: family members who are in awe, friends who are comforted, and near strangers in London and across the UK who find respite from the grey.
Her new single, ‘You’re not coming’, transcends the listener into an angelic ephemeral space, as the soothing ragas layered in the track lull you into the warm feeling of it’ll be alright. Heartbreak, mourning the what ifs, reflection and healing inspired this song. Living in the grey area of will they or won’t they will leave you in a sort of limbo, and in between should I move on or should I wait? Shivani decided to move on, singing “You don’t get to come home when love is lost in your world”. Her knowledge of both Indian and Western music positions her as a unique musician who creates an emotive style of music that draws on the best of both cultures. With this single, she has artfully composed a ballad that fuses two genres and shows promise in her ability to understand, balance and master this blend. Her future releases are definitely ones to watch out for.
Shivani is a multidisciplinary creative who has published poetry and music. "To the Homes that We Are" is a collection of poetry written by Shivani. The book was developed as a recognition of and homage to the love and life that we all hold inside us. It explores themes of nostalgia, joy, and growth with freestyle poetry and prose. While glancing through some of the pages, one piece in particular stood out to me. I read it and I felt my mind quiet for a moment as the words went through me. It goes:
Seeing these words on paper, I felt as if I had found someone that I could relate to, someone with the same sentiment. It expressed the random surges of crazed protectiveness I feel to keep my prized possession - my mind - private and safe within my being. For Shivani, writing has become a way to deal with mental health issues and to process deep-seated anxieties and emotions in a healthy manner.
Her poetry is reflective of her alignment with Buddhism and spiritual influences. She recites a rather memorable one from the end of her book:
The stillness of a rock does not worry for the flow of a river.
It extends no arms to catch on to the passing tide,
Afraid to let go.
For it knows even if it's not kissed by the same wave twice,
It will be touched again and again
By all of life.
She applies Buddhist principles in her life by chanting and finding Buddhist circles near her. Her grandmother and mother were great spiritual influences in her life and Shivani strongly feels she is proudly carrying on her grandmother’s legacy and putting in the work to heal.
These messages delivered through her poetry position it to resonate within the hearts of many searching souls and encourage us to find moments of peace in our chaos. Her style of writing creates a delicate intimacy with the reader. Her raw, honest vulnerability is scathing and rejuvenating at the same time, as Shivani’s words connect with your very being. Shivani’s poetry is a tool to evolve; it makes us change, confront and connect with ourselves.
Shivani has brought with her a unique, contemporary sound to the city of London and it has caught on. She was featured on BBC Introducing Asian Network as Artist of the Week for her new single and her poetry sits on the shelves at The Common Press, Shoreditch. Her most recent festival performance was none other than All Points East, where she showcased captivating compositions that blend London's dynamic scenes with Hindustani classical training.
She asks of the Desi community to "not be afraid to break boundaries and change the landscape of our surroundings". To “feel more empowered, tap into spaces, tap into parts of yourself that are judging you and just own your power.” Over the next year, Shivani hopes to release a second book and an album.
Shivani’s book ‘Homes That We Are’ is available for purchase online internationally and housed in The Common Press, Shoreditch, London.
Her single ‘You’re Not Coming’ can be streamed here on Spotify and Apple Music
Spotify: You're Not Coming
Apple Music: You're Not Coming
Follow Shivani on Instagram @shivanisenmusic
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