Born on the 14th March 1965, as a teenager she formed the band Monsoon, and created a fusion of Western and Indian pop styles. She married Steve Coe, who became the band's producer, and along with Martin Smith, the band became a trio. They made a single album, Third Eye, in 1982, from which they had a surprise hit single "Ever So Lonely". However, resenting pressure from their record company over musical direction, Monsoon as a band dissolved and Coe and Smith set about promoting Chandra as a solo artist on an independent label.
Chandra went on to release a number of albums in the 1980s, experimenting with her voice as an instrument. In the 1990s she released three albums on Peter Gabriel's Real World label, although Martin Smith ceased to be actively involved.
In 1996 she provided vocals for a cover of Prodigy's hit "Smack My Bitch Up". In 2002 she performed the song "Breath of Life" with Howard Shore for the Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers soundtrack.
She is no longer able to record, having developed "burned mouth syndrome" in 2010, which makes speech and singing so painful that she is effectively mute.
Shanti Shanti Shanti
Sheila Chandra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Om
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Om
Om
Om
Ahhh Ahhhh
Ahhh Ahhhh
Ahhh Ahhhh
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Ahhh Ahhhh
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Ahhh Ahhhh
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Ahhh Ahhhh
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Ahhh Ahhhh
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Ahhh Ahhhh
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Ahhh Ahhhh
Ahhhh
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Ahhh Ahhhh
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Ahhh Ahhhh
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Ahhh Ahhhh
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Ahhh Ahhhh
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Ahhh Ahhhh
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Ahhh Ahhhh
The song "Shanti Shanti Shanti" by Sheila Chandra is a meditative chant that centers around the ancient Sanskrit mantra "Om Shanti." The phrase "Om Shanti" is often translated as "peace be with you," and is a traditional way to end Hindu prayers and rituals. By repeating this phrase alongside the word "Shanti" (which means peace or tranquility) and accompanying it with soothing vocal harmonies, Chandra creates a sense of calm and introspection.
As the song progresses, Chandra introduces more layers of harmony and rhythmic chanting, building up the intensity of the piece while still maintaining its meditative quality. The use of "Ahhh" vocals in between the repeated "Om Shanti" phrases gives the impression of deeper breathing and relaxation, mirroring the physical effects of meditation.
Overall, "Shanti Shanti Shanti" is a powerful example of how music can be used to create a sense of peace and tranquility, as well as the importance of mindfulness and introspection in maintaining mental health.
Line by Line Meaning
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
A chant for peace in body, speech, and mind which is repeated multiple times.
Om
A sacred sound and mantra that represents the universe and ultimate reality.
Ahhh Ahhhh
Vocals that add to the meditative, peaceful tone of the song.
Writer(s): Steve Coe, Sheila Chandra
Contributed by Carson P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SammyBad1
Thank you sooooooooo much for posting this!!!!!!!!!! <3 I thought I lost it forever! Someone had it up here a while ago and all of a sudden it wasnt there anymore. I didnt even work when I downloaded the song onto itunes.