Susheela Raman (b. 1973) is a singer of Indian descent.

Raman was bo… Read Full Bio ↴Susheela Raman (b. 1973) is a singer of Indian descent.

Raman was born in London, later emigrating to Australia with her family. In Australia she studied classical South Indian song and began giving performances. She then began working with Western forms including rock and soul, while continuing to study classical Indian music with Shruti Sadolikar. Her desire to mix Indian with Western music resulted in her first album, Salt Rain, in 2001, followed by Love Trap in 2003.

In 2005, she released Music for Crocodiles. The basis of the album was recorded in Britain (Wiltshire in September 2004); the work was continued the next month with Indian musicians and mixed in Los Angeles.

In 2006 Susheela was again nominated for BBC World Music Award and was the subject of a one hour documentary by French-German TV Channel ARTE, called 'Indian Journey' directed by Mark Kidel. In the same year she independently recorded 33 1/3, which is a set of re-imaginings of music from the sixties and seventies. Artists covered include Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Velvet Underground, Captain Beefheart, Can, Joy Division and Throbbing Gristle. The album features long term collaborators Sam Mills on guitar, VIncent Segal on Cello, and tabla player and percussionist Aref Durvesh. The album was released in April 2007 in France.

In 2011 she released the album Vel.

Susheela continues to research and discover music from South India, studying in 2007 with the Bhakti singer Kovai Kamla.

Kamakshi
Susheela Raman Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Kamakshi kamakoti peta vasini mamava

kaumari kusumahyuti hemabharana hushani

samasta samraja dayini sadguruguha janani

kamalesha sodhari kamalaksi narayani

nadabindu kalasvarupini katyani

kamalapradarshini kalyana gunasalini

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Susheela Raman's song Kamakshi are a tribute to the Hindu goddess Kamakshi, who is regarded as the primary deity of the Kamakoti Peetham in Kanchipuram, India. The lyrics describe Kamakshi's physical attributes, including her beauty and adornments, but also acknowledge her powerful and benevolent nature as the bestower of blessings and the mother of all beings. The lyrics also reference other manifestations of the feminine divine, such as Kaumari (the warrior goddess) and Kalyana Gunasalini (the embodiment of positive qualities).

The song itself is a fusion of traditional Carnatic music and contemporary world music, featuring Raman's distinctive vocals and innovative instrumentation. Raman is known for blending diverse musical styles and cultural influences in her work, and Kamakshi is a prime example of this approach. The song is lush and vibrant, with hypnotic rhythms, intricate melodies, and a sense of spiritual reverence.

Overall, Kamakshi is a radiant hymn to the divine feminine, celebrating the power and beauty of the goddess Kamakshi and her many forms. It is a testament to the enduring influence of Hindu mythology and the richness of Indian musical traditions.

Line by Line Meaning

Kamakshi kamakoti peta vasini mamava
Oh Kamakshi, who resides in the abode of Kamakoti, please accept my salutations.

Kaumari kusumahyuti hemabharana hushani
You are Kaumari, who shines like a cluster of flowers and wears golden ornaments.

Samasta samraja dayini sadguruguha janani
You are the mother of Sadguru Guha who gives blessings to all the rulers of the world.

Kamalesha sodhari kamalaksi narayani
You are the sister of Kamalesha and Narayani, who have lotus-like eyes.

Nadabindu kalasvarupini katyani
You are Katyani, who takes the form of the Nada Bindu (the sound of the universe).

Kamalapradarshini kalyana gunasalini
You are the one who reveals the lotus and possesses auspicious qualities.

Contributed by Michael F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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