ABOUT
Award-winning Indian-Australian singer Menaka draws on her heritage to write songs that seamlessly blend traditional Indian vocals with contemporary influences. Together with accomplished instrumentalists, Menaka weaves a tapestry of sounds at the intersection of East and West, lending her incredible voice to music that seeks to connect, inspire and unite.
Menaka studied the traditional art of South Indian (Carnatic) music from a young age of 5 from her mother, Vijaya Visvanathan, founder of the Sri Krishna Music Academy in Brisbane. In recent years, Menaka underwent further study in the contemporary voice through the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University.
As a singer, Menaka has featured on many musical platforms, including Woodford Folk Festival, Queensland Multicultural Festival, Festival of Tibet, Brisbane Fringe Festival, BrisAsia Festival and the Anywhere Festival. Menaka was a featured cast members for Brisbane Powerhouse’s “Women In Voice” for 2022. In 2023, Menaka received a Queensland Music Award for Best Song (World) for her collaboration with Brisbane songwriter mou.
Menaka’s career in song writing unexpectedly commenced after a sudden deterioration in her health that nearly claimed her vision. Menaka found herself writing songs to help her overcome the challenges she was facing. This was the catalyst to putting together her debut solo album, “My Eyes Can See”. She launched her album in 2019 at the Queensland Multicultural Centre to a sold-out audience.
Menaka is also passionate about supporting artists to create and thrive. Menaka was the Assistant Producer for the BrisAsia Festival in 2023 and continues to support organisations to coordinate and produce events that showcase diverse talent.
Menaka continues to perform and create music, teach, record, and facilitate artist showcases. Her vision is to unite, connect and inspire people through music.
“Menaka oozes presence and calm and quiet confidence the minute she walks on stage and one feels the instant connection between herself and the audience…Menaka’s remarkable breath control and the power and versatility of her voice belies her small stature…”
MUSIC
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WORKSHOPS
Menaka loves bringing community together through workshops and creating a fun and inclusive atmosphere for learning and connection. Menaka loves working with people of all ages and levels of musical experience and collaborating with other artists to impart a learning experience that is diverse, dynamic and meaningful.
"I loved experiencing Menaka’s training and singing techniques and in an environment that felt inclusive and supportive"
BIOGRAPHY
Contemporary Indian-Australian Fusion song writer, performer, producer and presenter Menaka Thomas’ success in performance, producing and sing-writing began as a child, studied the traditional art of South Indian (Carnatic) music from a young age of 5 from her mother, Vijaya Visvanathan, the founder of the Sri Krishna Music Academy and one of the first Indian classical music teachers in Brisbane.
Menaka performed with her mother as a child and teenager on many musical platforms, including Woodford Folk Festival, Queensland Multicultural Festival and a multitude of community events.
Menaka has featured on many musical platforms, including Woodford Folk Festival, Queensland Multicultural Festival, Festival of Tibet, Brisbane Fringe Festival, BrisAsia Festival and the Anywhere Festival. Menaka was a featured cast members for Brisbane Powerhouse’s “Women In Voice” for 2022. Menaka’s music has been highly commended in the world music category of the Queensland Music Awards on several occasions, alongside musical collaborators. In 2023, Menaka received a Queensland Music Award for Best Song (World) for her collaboration with Brisbane songwriter mou. She also featured in the Woodford Folk Festival in 2023.
In 2023, Menaka pursued further study in the contemporary voice, completing a Graduate Certificate in Music Studies (Vocal Pedagogy) at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University
AWARDS
- Winner of the 2023 Queensland Music Awards (World Music Category) for the single “Space”, alongside musical collaborator Mou
- Finalist in the 2022 Queensland Music Awards for single “On The Horizon”
- Finalist in the 2016 Queensland Music Awards for single “Open Door”, alongside musical collaborators
- Highly commended Queensland Music Award in 2020 for single “Feel the Joy”, alongside musical collaborators
- Recipient of the Arts Queensland Individual Funds grant in 2020
Successful recipient of the BrisAsia LIVE Creative Residency Fellowship 2022
IN MENAKA’S WORDS
I have been singing for as long as I can remember.
I learned the traditional art of South Indian (Carnatic) music from a young age of 5 from my mother, Vijaya Visvanathan. The thing that I most keenly remember from my mother’s training is the way that she imparted the essence of Indian music; the essence of devotion, humility and surrender. She taught me how to access a deeper sense of connection to something bigger than just my own little self. Music then became my meditation.
I had the opportunity to share music with my mother throughout my childhood and teenage years.
As a young adult, I had the privilege of exploring the fusion of Indian devotional music with other world musicians, including Tibetan singer Tenzin Choegyal, Tibet2Timbuktu, and Jazz guitarist Ravi Welsh. More recently, I was blessed to have been a part of the world music trio “Spirit of Bhakti”, with Rebecca Bornstein and Shen Flindell.
I experience a great sense of fulfilment and freedom in being able to express the devotion of Indian music with other world music sounds. It enables and challenges me to use my voice in different ways and explore melody and harmony with freedom and creativity.
After a sudden deterioration in my health that saw me nearly lose my vision, I found myself writing words and trying to express emotion through song. Up till this time I had never considered myself a songwriter. I started recording these songs and a few of them will feature on my first album “My Eyes Can See”.
Now, I continue to write, create, teach and perform. My vision is to unite, inspire and create inner peace through music.
Thank you for helping me to achieve this dream.
CONTACTS