SALONI (FEAT. VASUNDHARA GUPTA)
OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
From son-mother duo Asha Ramesh and Rohith Jayaraman, Manam is a 5-track album, born from many evenings of family discussion in the aftermath of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Jeyaraj and Bennicks, the Cisco discrimination lawsuit, and many more. These discussions were often prompted by questions, ranging from topics like race, gender, and caste, to religion, log kya kahenge, and deeply ingrained social norms. These questions morphed into poetry, and then into song. They draw from our roots in Carnatic music, while also exploring other genres like spoken word and jazz. The process of making this album brought our family even closer together, and we hope that the album may spark similar discussions in your own homes, with family and friends.
Manam is not about solutions to the world’s problems. It simply questions norms and beliefs that some of us may take for granted.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
The very first artwork sketch by the incredible Bhavya Kumar.
On June 3, 2020, I got a call from my mom. The recent murder of George Floyd had been weighing on her that week. Breonna Taylor had been killed less than three months before. “I wrote something,” she said. An eight line verse that began:
Pirakkumbodhu niram, jaadhi, madham thervu seivadhaar?
When we are born, who decides our color, caste, and religion?
My parents and I talked about her poetry on the phone for maybe two hours. I was in Boston and they were in San Jose. We wanted to go deeper; to write more about each of these topics. I started writing in English in the hopes that my mom and I could work together from across the country to rewrite it in Tamizh.
Less than three weeks later, I was waiting at the San Francisco International Airport baggage claim. Covid had brought me to my parents’ house, where we would finally be able to write together. The next day, Jeyaraj and Bennicks were killed. Each of these events triggered us, as they did millions around the world. As cliché as it sounds, we could only process and express through the language we speak most comfortably: music. Within weeks, the poetry was finished, and a few weeks after that, the songs were composed. Then began the 1-year long laborious process of arranging, Zoom rehearsals, and home-recording.
The journey of creating this music, collaborating with incredible artists and friends, and continuing to educate ourselves has been more enriching that we can describe. We’re beyond grateful to have had this experience, and hope that both our learning and unlearning never stop. For you, we hope that Manam may revitalize old ideas… or spark new ones.
- Rohith
WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING?
PRESS & PRAISE
“It is really beautiful!
Amazing singing and great compositions!”
SHANKAR MAHADEVAN
Vocalist & Composer
“Really beautiful composition. A slow build that goes on a long journey. Love what they did.”
TIGRAN HAMASYAN
Pianist & Composer
on Vidudhalai (Freedom)
HEARTSPEAK
Influential artists and collaborators on Manam share their experiences with art creation, personal growth, and social engagement in this series titled heartspeak. Here are a few of their messages. As we continue to share these videos, this page will be updated. Check out the entire playlist, linked at the end.
SHANKAR MAHADEVAN
Vocalist & Composer
T.M. KRISHNA
Musician & Author
CHANDANA BALA KALYAN
Vocalist & Composer
LYRICS
VETRI NADAI
வெற்றி நடை · The Victory Path
Lyrics by Rohith Jayaraman & Asha Ramesh
நினைத்ததை செய்யும் திறமை உண்டென்பார்
Ninaitthadhai seiyyum thiramai undenbaar
They say I can do anything I put my mind to.
வெற்றியின் பாதையில் தடை நானே என்பார்
Vetriyin paadhaiyil thadai naane enbaar
They say I am the only thing standing in the way of my success.
ஆனாலும் செய்யாதே செய்யாதே என்பார்
Anaalum seiyyaadhe seiyyaadhe enbaar
Yet they say, “don’t do this”, “don’t do that”.
வானத்தின் உயரத்திர்க்கு எல்லை உண்டா?
Vaanatthin uyaratthirkku yellai uNdaa?
Does the sky have a boundary?
கடலின் அலைகளுக்கு ஓய்வு உண்டா?
Kadalin alaigaLukku oivu uNdaa?
Do the tides of the ocean ever stop?
மனிதனின் சாதனைக்கு அளவு உண்டா?
Manidhanin saadhanaikku aLavu uNdaa?
Do humanity’s achievements have limits?
நினைத்ததை செய்யும் திறமை உண்டென்போம்!
Ninaitthadhai seiyyum thiramai undenbom!
We say we can do anything we put our minds to!
நம் திறமைகளுக்கு அளவே இல்லை என்போம்!
Nam thiramaigaLukku aLave illai enbom!
We say the possibilities of our potential are endless!
தடை அகற்றி வெற்றி நடை நடப்போம்! நடப்போம்!
Thadai agattri, vetri nadai nadappom! Nadappom!
We will cross our hurdles and walk the victorious path.
THILLANA
Lyrics by Asha Ramesh
வாழ்வினில் பிறப்பும் இறப்பும் உறுதி - அது மட்டுமே நிஜம்
Vaazhvinil pirappum, irappum urudhi. Adhu mattume nijam.
In life, birth and death are guaranteed. That is the only truth.
இன்று இங்கு எனது உனது என்பது மனதினில் கேள்விகள் ஏன்?
Indru ingu yenadhu unadhu yenbadhu manadhinil keLvigaL yen?
Here and now, why do you and I have such irrelevant questions?
உயிர் இருக்கும் வரையில் நல்லதை நினை, நல்லதை சொல், நல்லதை செய்
Uyir irukkum varaiyil nalladhai ninai, nalladhai sol, nalladhai sei.
As long as we have life, think good, say good, and do good.
நான் நீயென வேறுபாடுகளை அடியுடன் அறுத்து வாழ் மனமே!
Naan, nee, yena verupaadugaLai adiyudan arutthu vaazh maname!
You and I should rip out the thoughts that divide us… and thrive!
SALONI
सलोनी · Beautiful
Lyrics by Asha Ramesh
जब राम हो सके है नीला, और शिवशंकर हो सके है काला
Jab Ram ho sake hai neela, aur Shivshankar ho sake hai kaala
If Ram is blue, and Shiva is black,
शक्तिशाली कहलाता सांवला आदमी, है वो मर्यादा वाला ll
Shakti shaali kehlaata saanvla aadmi, hai woh mariyaadaa wala
Dusky men are considered powerful and respectable.
लड़की अगर हो साँवली सुन्दर प्यारी बहुत सलोनी
Ladki agar ho saanvli pyaari sundar bahut saloni
But if a beautiful, adorable, sweet young girl has a dark complexion,
उसके रंग रूप को कोस, जिस पर ना था उसका दोष ll
Uske rang roop ko kos, jis par naa thaa uskaa dosh
She is cursed for her looks, over which she has no control.
सूरज की लाली जब छायी सब पर एक समान हर दिन
Suraj ki laali jab chhaayi sab par ek samaan har din
Every day the sun’s rays fall equally on everyone.
धूप के मारे गोरा गोरी हो जाए सब साँवले ll
Dhoop ke maare gora gori ho jaaye sab saanvle
This is what gives a fair person a dusky complexion.
तब तो नहीं सवाल ये उठता सूरज के उन किरणों से
Tab to nahin savaal yeh uthhtha suraj ke un kiraNon se
No one ever asks the sun’s rays,
“क्यों तूने किया त्वचा काला उस प्यारी सी गुड़िया के?”
“Kyun tu ne kiya thvachaa kaala us pyaari si gudiyaa ke?”
“Why did you make this girl so dark?”
गोरी काली गेहुँआ रंग… बस नाम है सुन्दरता का
Gori kaali gehuaan rang… bas naam hai sundarta kaa
Fair, dark, wheatish complexion… these are all just different names for beauty.
मन को रखो निर्मल शुद्ध - त्वचा क्या है? बस एक रंग
Man ko rakkho nirmal shuddh. Thvachaa kya hai? Bas ek rang.
Keep your heart pure and clean. What is complexion? Just a color.
VIDUDHALAI & VIDUDHALAI (FREEDOM)
விடுதலை · Freedom
Lyrics by Rohith Jayaraman & Asha Ramesh
பிறக்கும் போது நிறம் ஜாதி மதம் தேர்வு செய்வதார்
Pirakkum podhu niram, jaadhi, madham thervu seiyvadhaar?
When we are born, who decides our color, caste, and religion?
நிறம் ஜாதி மதம்? ரத்தத்தின் நிறம் ஒன்றே!
Niram, jaadhi, madham? Ratthatthin niram ondre!
Color, caste, religion? The color of our blood is the same!
அத்தனை உயிருக்குள் அதே இதயத்துடிப்பு!
Atthanai uyirukkuL adhe idhaya thudippu!
Inside all life there is the same heartbeat!
அத்தனை உடலுக்குள் அதே எலும்புக்கூடு!
Atthanai udalukkuL adhe elumbu koodu!
Inside all bodies there are the same bones!
நீயேன் எனது உனது என்று தத்தளிக்கிறாய்?
Nee yen yenadhu-unadhu yendru thatthaLikkiraai?
Why are you so obsessed with “mine vs yours”?
நீ யேன் தத்தளிக்கிறாய்?
Nee yen thatthaLikkiraai?
Why this obsession?
நிறங்களின் தனித்துவத்தை எடுத்துக்காட்டும் வானவில்
NirangaLin thanitthuvatthai yedutthu kaattum vaanavil
The rainbow highlights the beautiful separation of the colors.
ஏழு நிறங்கள் இன்றி அந்த வானவில்லும் இல்லையே
Yezhu nirangaL indri andha vaanavillum illaye
Without seven different colors, the rainbow does not exist.
நெய்யும் போது நிறம் சாயம் என்பதெல்லாம் பெறுமையே
Neiyyum podhu niram saayam yenbadhellaam perumaiye
When we weave, shades and colors bring us pride.
மனித உறுவில் நிறம் சாயம் என்பது அவமானமே
Manidha uruvil niram saayam yenbadhu avamaaname
Yet, in the human form, shades and colors are shameful.
நீயேன் கறுப்பு வெள்ளை என்று தத்தளிக்கிறாய்?
Nee yen karuppu veLLai yendru thatthaLikkiraai?
Why are you so obsessed with “black vs white”?
நீ யேன் தத்தளிக்கிறாய்?
Nee yen thatthaLikkiraai?
Why this obsession?
ஜாதி ஒதுக்கம் நம் கையில் இல்லை என்று சொல்கிறாய்
Jaadhi odhukkam nam kaiyyil illai yendru solgiraai
You say caste is not in our hands.
நீ ஜாதி அமைப்பெய் இறுத்தி பல பல வேறுபாடு உண்டாக்கினாய்
Nee jaadhi amaippai irutthi pala pala verupaadu uNdaakkinaai
But you created the caste system and all its discrimination.
கல்லின் மேலே பாலை ஊற்றி வழிபாடு செய்கிராய்
Kallin mele paalai ootri vazhipaadu seygiraai
You pour milk and pray to stones,
அந்த கல்லை செதுக்கினவர் மேல் காலை நீ உதைக்கிராய்
Andha kallai sedhikkinavar mel kaalai nee udhaikkiraai
Yet you kick the one who sculpted them.
நீயேன் உயற்வு தாழ்வு என்று தத்தளிக்கிறாய்?
Nee yen uyarvu-thaazhvu yendru thatthaLikkiraai?
Why are you so obsessed with “high vs low”?
நீ யேன் தத்தளிக்கிறாய்?
Nee yen thatthaLikkiraai?
Why this obsession?
ஏசு அல்லா வாஹே குரு தேவ தேவா ஆதோனாய்
Yesu, Allah, Waheguru, Deva-Devaa, Adonai!
Jesus, Allah, Waheguru, Deva, Adonai!
பேரு வேராய் இருப்பினும் யாதும் ஒன்றே இறைவா!
Peru veraai iruppinum yaadhum ondre iraivaa!
The names may be different, but they are all one God.
(பேர்) அன்பு இறக்கம் உதவி அனைத்தும் இறைவன் தந்த வரம்
(Per-) Anbu irakkam udhavi anaitthum iraivan thandha varam
Love, compassion, service — all boons granted by God.
உன் இறைவன் பேறில் படையெடுத்தது குறுதி ஆற்றில் மூழ்கிறாய்
Un iraivan peril padai edutthu kurudhi aatril moozhgiraai.
Yet, in your God’s name, you gather armies and drown the world in rivers of blood.
நீயேன் இறைவா இறைவா என்று தத்தளிக்கிறாய்?
Nee yen iraivaa-iraivaa yendru thatthaLikkiraai?
Why are you so obsessed with “God vs God”?
நீ யேன் தத்தளிக்கிறாய்?
Nee yen thatthaLikkiraai?
Why this obsession?
பிறக்கும் போது நிறம் ஜாதி மதம் என்பது கேளவி ஏன்?
Pirakkum podhu niram jaadhi madham yenbadhu keLvi yen?
When we are born, why ask color, caste, or religion?
நிறம் ஜாதி மதம்? துச்சமான எண்ணமே
Niram, jaadhi, madham? Thucchamaana yeNName.
Color, caste, religion? These are petty thoughts.
இயற்கையில் எல்லையே இல்லையே மானிடா!
Iyarkkayil yellaiye illaiye, maanida!
In nature there are no limits, oh human!
துச்சமான எல்லைகளை விடுதலை செய் மானிடா!
Thucchamaana yellaigaLai vidudhalai sei, maanida!
Free your mind of these limits, oh human!
விடுதலை செய் மானிடா!
Vidudhalai sei, maanida!
Free yourself, oh human!
CREDITS
All songs written and produced by Rohith Jayaraman & Asha Ramesh unless otherwise noted
VETRI NADAI
Voice: Rohith Jayaraman & Asha Ramesh
Tambura: Rohith Jayaraman
Programming: Vasundhara Gupta
Mixed by M. T. Aditya Srinivasan
VIDUDHALAI
Voice: Asha Ramesh
Violin: Apoorva Krishna
Mridangam: Praveen Sparsh
Tambura: Asha Ramesh
Mixed by M. T. Aditya Srinivasan
THILLANA
Voice: Rohith Jayaraman & Asha Ramesh
Violin: Apoorva Krishna
Veenai: Anjani Srinivasan
Mridangam: Praveen Sparsh
Ghatam: N. Guruprasad
Tambura: Rohith Jayaraman
Mixed by M. T. Aditya Srinivasan
SALONI
Poetry: Asha Ramesh
Produced by Vasundhara Gupta
Arranged by Vasundhara Gupta & Rohith Jayaraman
Spoken Word: Lekha Rani Gupta, Amira Gill, Ishani Rungta, Renuka Balasubramanian, Asha Ramesh
Additional Voices: Geetha Srinivasan, Neha Tolasaria, Nitika Chokhany, Nitya Subramanian, Sudha Dhandhania, Uma Subramanian, Vasundhara Gupta, Vineeta Gupta
Bansuri: Srishti Biyani
Mixed by Kaushlesh “Garry” Purohit
VIDUDHALAI (FREEDOM) ft. MYLAI KARTHIKEYAN
Produced by Aleif Hamdan & Rohith Jayaraman
Arranged by Aleif Hamdan
Additional Arranging: Rohith Jayaraman
Voice: Rohith Jayaraman
Nadaswaram: Mylai Karthikeyan
Piano: Ron Cha
Additional Piano: Aleif Hamdan
Upright Bass: Alex Gorchesky
Electric Guitar: Aleif Hamdan
Drumset: Yogev Gabay
Tabla & Dholak: Giri Subramaniam
Kanjira: Aleif Hamdan
Percussion: Thomas Antonio Debelian
Violin: Layth Sidiq
Violin: Apoorva Krishna
Viola: Anna Stromer
Cello: Naseem Alatrash
Programming: Aleif Hamdan
Audio Consult: Kaushlesh “Garry” Purohit, Anthony Muthurajah, Raghuraman Ramasubramaniam
Mixed by Anindo Bose (Plug ‘n’ Play Studios, New Delhi)
All songs mastered by Anindo Bose (Plug ‘n’ Play Studios, New Delhi)
RECORDING
All instruments recorded by individual artists during lockdown unless noted below
Thillana
Veenai & Ghatam recorded at Offbeat Music Ventures, Chennai by M. T. Aditya Srinivasan
Saloni
Lekha Rani Gupta, Ishani Rungta, & Additional Voices recorded by Vasundhara Gupta, Kolkata
Renuka Balasubramanian recorded at Offbeat Music Ventures, Chennai by M. T. Aditya Srinivasan
Vidudhalai (Freedom) ft. Mylai Karthikeyan
Nadaswaram recorded at Offbeat Music Ventures, Chennai by Ragesh
Drumset recorded at Mitzlol Studios, Tel Aviv, Israel by Yonatan Barak
Kanjira recorded at Two AM Music Studios, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Herman Ramanado
ARTWORK
Album Artwork: Bhavya Kumar
PRODUCTION TEAM
Brand, Content, & Marketing Strategy: Divya Chandran
Distribution, Pitching, & Social Media Planning: Utkarsh Saxena
MUSIC VIDEOS
Thillana
Filmed by Katyayani
Dance: Shriya Srinivasan
Choreography: Shriya Srinivasan & Sujatha Srinivasan
Editor & Colorist: Aaryaman Kutty
Creative Direction: Asha Ramesh & Rohith Jayaraman
Filmed at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts
House Electrician & Lights: Taylor Ness
Special Thanks: Katie Most
Saloni
Directed & Animated by Venkatram Viswanathan
Art Direction & Paintings: Mansi Thakkar
Title Design: Anagha Narayanan
Special Thanks: Arvind Neelakantan
Vidudhalai (Freedom) ft. Mylai Karthikeyan
Visuals: Bhavya Kumar
Creative Direction: Rohith Jayaraman & Asha Ramesh
SPECIAL THANKS
Ramesh Jayaraman
Vasundhara Gupta
Giri Subramaniam
Amira Gill
Sanjeet Raman
Adi Parige
Layth Sidiq
INSPIRING ART
Below is a small selection of films, books, research, and comedy that has resonated with me over the years. Click on the title or image to access or purchase the work. - Rohith
13TH
Film by Ava DuVernay (2016)
Combining archival footage with testimony from activists and scholars, director Ava DuVernay's examination of the U.S. Prison-Industrial Complex looks at how the country's history of racial inequality drives the high rate of incarceration in America. Netflix made the film available for free on YouTube in 2020 in response to the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Affirmative Reaction
Book by Hamilton Carroll (2011)
This book explores the cultural politics of heteronormative white masculine privilege in the US. Exploring American media like the TV show 24, reality show American Chopper, and film Million Dollar Baby, Carroll describes how, following perceived “loss of privilege” in the post-civil rights era, white masculinity has redefined itself as a marginalized identity.
Annihilation of Caste
Undelivered Speech by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (1936)
One of the most important, yet neglected, works of political writing from India, this speech is an audacious denunciation of the caste system. Ambedkar offers a scholarly critique of Hindu scriptures that sanction this villainous excuse for a “social system”. This edition includes the subsequent public debate between Ambedkar and Gandhi.
Back in Town
Comedy Special by George Carlin (1996)
Back in Town hit me like a lightning rod when I first heard it in high school. While the entire special is golden, I keep coming back to the opening 10 minutes. Perhaps my favorite joke of the special: “Do you believe in god?” “Yes.” “Do you believe in my god?” “No.” *Shoots him in the face* “My god has a bigger d*** than your god.”
Court
Film by Chaitanya Tamhane (2014)
A satirical portrait of India’s justice system, caste prejudice, and corruption, Court is both hilarious and devastating in its exploration of modern India. A folk singer and grassroots activist is arrested on a bogus charge of inciting the suicide of a local sewer worker. The trial that follows reveals the Indian court system’s deep disdain for reasoned thinking and empathy.
Devi
Short Film by Priyanka Banerjee (2020)
Nine women from distinct strata of society are forced to live together in a small room. They clash with and comfort one another… and share the harrowing stories from their past that brought them together.
* This film is allegedly an unauthorized remake of Abhishek Rai’s FOUR, released in 2018.
Dil Dhadakne Do
Film by Zoya Akhtar (2015)
Perhaps the first (and likely last) Bollywood ensemble film that I enjoyed, Dil Dhadakne Do is a comedy-drama based on a wealthy dysfunctional family whose problems come to a head when their inner lives clash with their fear of what others will think. In spite of its flaws, this Wes Anderson-esque film is probably one of the best modern big-budget Bollywood films.
Do The Right Thing
Film by Spike Lee (1989)
Spike Lee’s seminal film explores the racial tension simmering in a Brooklyn neighborhood through the lens of the young Black pizza delivery man, Mookie, caught in the middle. Known for its heartbreaking and apparently “controversial” ending, Do The Right Thing continues to be painfully relevant, and remains one of the greatest films of all time.
The Great Indian Kitchen
Film by Jeo Baby (2021)
An arranged marriage between a hyper-traditionalist teacher and an unbelievably patient dancer begins to go south when deep-seated misogyny and religion fundamentalism begin to surface. Though parts of the film lack some much needed nuance, it is sure to spark some interesting discussions either way.
Homecoming King
Comedy Special by Hasan Minhaj (2017)
Hasan Minhaj’s first special — part comedy, part performance art — is an honest and vulnerable look into “The New Brown America”. Minhaj tells the story of growing up as a brown kid in white America, and offers much needed criticism of the phrase that haunts all Indians: “Log kya kahenge?” (What will people think?”)
I Could Not Be Hindu
Book by Bhanwar Meghwanshi (2019)
Subtitled “The Story of a Dalit in the RSS”, this short but power packed book chronicles author Bhanwar Meghwanshi’s transformation from devoted RSS supporter to Ambedkarite activist. While the book can be read in a single day, Meghwanshi’s story is difficult to forget… the story of yet another Dalit swallowed into the RSS machine.
Kakkoos
Film by Divya Bharathi (2017)
This film shatters the false notion that many privileged people hold: the caste system no longer exists. Exploring the ongoing practice of manual scavenging, officially abolished since 2013, Kakkoos shines a light on a practice that should elicit anger and shame in all Indians. Instead, the film faced abusive criminal investigations and constant censorship, until it was released for free on YouTube.
OMG - Oh My God
Film by Umesh Shukla (2012)
Based on a play by Saumya Joshi and Bhavesh Mandalia, this film satirizes the Religion-Industrial Complex which prizes blind followership above all else. OMG challenges viewers, religious or not, to look away from external figures and false god-folk that perform for power and money. Instead, it encourages you to look within for empathy, spirituality, and compassion.
Sebastian & Sons
Book by T. M. Krishna (2020)
Vocalist and activist T. M. Krishna explores the art of mridangam making. Carnatic music, a Brahminical tradition, has a complex relationship with religion, caste, and gender. In a genre centered around purity and Hindu divinity, mridangam making is dominated by Dalit Christian artists. This book honors the oft-forgotten artists who shaped the modern Carnatic sound.
Silence
Film by Martin Scorsese (2016)
Based on the book by Japanese Catholic author Shusaku Endo, Silence explores the relationship between a devotee who offers prayer and a god who responds in silence. As a devout atheist, I was deeply affected by this film about religious turmoil. At its core, Silence is about the struggle between the mind that exists in an indifferent world, and the heart that yearns for a higher calling.
Sita & Shurpanaka
Paper by Karline McLain (1999)
This shortened version of McLain’s master’s thesis contrasts the depictions of Sita and Shurpanaka in the famous Indian comics series, Amar Chitra Katha. By exploring the one-dimentionalization of these complex figures in a society tilting further into religious nationalism, McKlain is able to shed some light on the state of Indian gender roles today.
So You Want to Talk About Race
Book by Ijeoma Oluo (2018)
Considered required reading on race relations in America, this book from Ijeoma Oluo acts almost like a guide for talking about race. Oluo provides her opinions on race and race-related topics, while also giving advice on how to engage in meaningful discussions without feeling defensive or eliciting defensiveness in others.
Stree
Film by Amar Kaushik (2018)
Another satirical look at Indian society, Stree both pays tribute to and pokes fun at horror tropes, while maintaining its strong point of view on Indian gender roles. Stree turns the tables on ingrained gender stereotypes and allows all its characters to inhabit the entire spectrum of the human experience. It’s also got some excellent jokes and solid scares.
Abolishing Caste
Resources by NAPAWF (2021)
For Dalit History Month in April 2021, the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum of New York City released their introductory readings on caste oppression and abolition. Featuring material primarily curated by Dalit-Bahujan and Muslim activists, this collection of resources is incredibly enriching and thorough. Deeply indebted to NAPAWF for putting this together.
Movement for Black Lives
Resources by AIGA (2020)
In response to the events of 2020, AIGA Eye is curating a growing list of resources for the movement for Black lives. Featuring everything from donation links, reading lists, Black-owned businesses, and social media pages, this is an incredible place to start engaging with anti-racist thought.