WHO IS BAWARI BASANTI?
Mahima Dayal Mathur, professionally known as Bawari Basanti बावरी बसन्ती, is an independent storyteller and musician from India who creates music based on her conversations with beings of all shapes and sizes. Through these conversations, she uncovers philosophies and perspectives, exploring what it means to be oneself.
Bawari's journey as a solo artist began in 2014 when she released music with her duo band, Basanti aur Woah. She has since collaborated with notable artists and released several original tracks, including Chalein Kahin, Kya Bolein, and Izehar. Her debut EP, Underwater, was released in 2018, and she released her sophomore EP, Aarzoo, during her tour across India in 2021.
Bawari started to learn music at the young age of nine, when her grandmother, late Smt. Lalita Dayal would take classes for Hindustani Classical music in their family home. A culturally rich environment at home provided the foundation for her art. She continued to learn Hindustani Music at Prayaag Sangeet Samiti (2009-2012) and later at Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music (2013-14/15), along side her graduation in Bachelor Of Arts from St Stephen's College, New Delhi, and then, as a Masters in Print Journalism from The Asian College of Journalism, Chennai and Cardiff University, London.
Bawari has performed on prestigious stages for independent and folk art, such as the Jodhpur Riff Festival, The Mauritius Music Expo, HCL Concerts, and VH1 Supermoon, Honbill Festival and many more. She is a OneBeat Virtual Fellow in 2022 on behalf of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and appointed as Jodhpur RIFF's artist for the commission 'Unearthed.' Her recent notable stints in the OTT world include re-creating the classic tune of 'Pallo Latke' for the Amazon Prime Video documentary series, Rainbow Rishta, created by Vice Media. She also composed, ‘Thirak Thirak’, an original soundtrack in collaboration with composer Sarvesh Shrivastava and Sahej Bakshi, part of the Sony Liv series, Good Bad GirL. ‘Shola’, an original composition, collaboration with Vaibhav Bundoo heard in the Timeliners Series, Sonu's Beauty Parlour and a soundtrack for Voot’s original show, Baked Season 2.
In addition to her music career, Bawari has composed and produced music for various brands and contributed to philanthropic activities through pro bono shows and campaigns. She directed and produced the musical Dilli Ke Dil Se, staged at The Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi, in November 2022 to raise funds and awareness to empower underprivileged girls studying with the Prajana Foundation.
Currently Bawari is working on her Debut album, and shall announce dates soon.