Bringing together traditional Hindu devotional music, contemporary musical influences, and the exuberant spirit of bhakti, these rising artists represent an exciting new generation discovering fresh ways to share the timeless beauty of sacred song.

Mayuri Gandharvika: A Rising Star of Devotional Music

YouTube sensation and rising star in the world of Hindu devotional music, Mayuri Gandharvika has been captivating audiences since childhood with her extraordinary voice, musical sensitivity, and heartfelt devotion. Her rendition of Hare Krishna Dhun, recorded at Kirtan Fest Houston, has attracted more than 1.8 million views on YouTube, introducing listeners around the world to her soulful singing.

Born into a family spanning three generations of Krishna devotees, Mayuri began studying Hindustani classical vocal music at the tender age of five. By twelve, she had become the youngest artist ever to lead kirtan at the renowned Sadhu Sanga Kirtan Retreat, one of North America’s largest gatherings of devotional musicians. Since then, she has recorded more than 25 devotional tracks, exploring traditional melodies as well as original musical compositions.

Mayuri’s artistry combines the depth and discipline of India’s classical musical traditions with the freshness and imagination of a young artist finding her own voice. Yet behind her growing popularity lies a profoundly devotional purpose. For Mayuri, music is not simply entertainment or artistic expression—it is seva, an offering of love and service to Krishna, and a way of sharing that love with others.

Srikar: Where Tradition Meets Innovation, and Bhajans Meet Beats

Srikar Valluri is a versatile, genre-bending vocalist and musician whose work moves fluidly between the worlds of Indian devotional music and contemporary popular music. Equally at home with the sacred melodies of bhajan and the infectious energy of electronic music, he brings a distinctive creative sensibility to the ancient traditions of bhakti.

Beyond his devotional performances, Srikar has collaborated with international electronic music producers, including Sam Ourt, AKIAL, and Jay Eskar, with releases through NoCopyrightSounds (NCS), a popular electronic music platform. His recordings include Escape, a future-house collaboration with Sam Ourt and AKIAL, and To the Top, an electronic release with Jay Eskar. These projects showcase his musical versatility and willingness to experiment across genres, styles, and audiences.

Yet Srikar’s musical journey is also deeply rooted in the devotional tradition. A vocalist and mridanga player, he has performed at major kirtan gatherings, including the Sadhu Sanga Kirtan Retreat, and has collaborated with fellow devotional musicians such as Mayuri Gandharvika. His approach brings together contemporary musical creativity and the heartfelt expression of Hindu devotional song, demonstrating that ancient spiritual traditions can continue to inspire new forms of musical expression.

An Invitation to Enter the Story

Together with their fellow musicians like flautist Ankith Krishnan and Namarasa Sutaria, Mayuri and Srikar come together as Bhajan Mandali, a special ensemble assembled for this year’s Diwali at the Chapel celebration.

Their music is both traditional and contemporary, deeply devotional yet refreshingly accessible. Through the melodies of bhajan, the rhythms of Indian percussion, and the shared joy of sacred song, they invite audiences to encounter bhakti not simply as an ancient religious tradition, but as a living, evolving expression of love, creativity, and community.

This Diwali, we invite you to do more than hear the music. Enter the story. Experience the devotion. Share in the joy.

Explore their music:

• Mayuri Gandharvika — Hare Krishna Dhun (YouTube)
• Srikar — NoCopyrightSounds Artist Profile
• Srikar — SoundCloud