Dhanya

Born and raised in Venezuela, steeped in the ancient traditions of the East, and traveling the world, modern-day troubadour Dhanya is a rising voice of the conscious music scene. Daughter of two-time Latin Grammy winner, Ilan Chester, her upbringing opened her ears and heart to a wide range of devotional and mainstream musical styles. As a teen, Dhanya was steeped in the electronic underground music scene and she spent time living in West Bengal, India where she studied literature and the traditional devotional music of Bhakti; kirtan. Back in the US, Dhanya began recording and performing with the kirtan group Mayapuris, touring across 6 continents. This opened her up to the conscious music movement, sharing original songs as well as mantra. Dhanya’s songs, almost all of which she self-produces, highlight her evocative and sophisticated songwriting. Amidst the collection of lush, mystical soundscapes, there remains a constant focus on Dhanya’s soaring vocals, which exhibit a striking emotional range. “As an instrument, the voice is alchemical,” Dhanya asserts. “It has the potential to transform all feelings and experiences into sound.”