WHO IS BAWARI?
Mahima Dayal, professionally known as Bawari Basanti बावरी बसन्ती is a storyteller from India, who makes music based on conversations she has with beings of all shapes and sizes. They speak about what it means to be them, while uncovering/learning philosophies and perspectives with each new conversation. She finds that the only way to find her way back home or maybe a new home away from home is to look within, and ‘ask the right questions’.
"These are stories from conversation and desires, found and felt in this dystopian reality. Each conversation has a different impact on my sound, and that brings me closer to my centre. A piece of a larger puzzle that is slowly starting to come together" says Basanti.
Her journey as an independent solo artist began in 2014 when she began to release music with her duo Basanti aur Woah.
In 2017, she toured across India & France with her band 'Spicy Frog' composing original Jazz fusion music and recording their solo track Sundarva, which released worldwide, in 2022.
While performing, collaborating and sharing the stage with artists like Seedhe Maut, Indian Ocean, Anish Sood(Anyasa), Sick Flip and more, Bawari released her first debut EP, Underwater in 2018.
Bawari started to learn music at the young age of nine, when her grandmother, Late Smt. Lalita Dayal would take classes for classical music in their family home. A culturally rich environment at home provided the foundation for her art and later, she studied Hindustani Music at Prayaag Sangeet Samiti (2009-2012) and further, at Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music (2013-14/15)
Her notable original releases include Chalein Kahin (2018), followed closely by 'Kya Bolein' and 'Izehar'.
In 2021, Bawari toured across India announcing her Sophomore EP, Aarzoo, that took her music closer to fans across 6 cities. Her other notable stints in the OTT world include ‘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. Bawari has also composed and produced music for brands like Ashima Leena, Rio Pads, Chhayos, Fabindia and more.
Bawari has performed on some of the most prestigious stages for independent and folk art, like the Jodhpur Riff Festival (2022), The Mauritius Music Expo (2022), HCL Concerts (2020), VH1 Supermoon (2020), India Cocktail Week (2020) and more.
Bawari was selected as a OneBeat Virtual Fellow in 2022, on behalf of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and appointment as Jodhpur RIFF’s
artist for the commission ‘Unearthed’ – the collaborative project between her and animator Laura Tofarides (UK), co-produced by (and for) Festival of Voice (Wales) and Jodhpur RIFF and supported by the British Council.
During her artist career, she has contributed to several philanthropic activities through pro bono shows and campaigns. In November 2022 she directed and produced a musical- Dilli Ke Dil Se, staged at The Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi, to raise funds and awareness to empower underprivileged girls, studying with the Prajana Foundation.
Her latest release, 'Tu Haina' is an ode to female long distance friendships and their true worth.