Mana Bhatt

NY Singer, Mana Bhatt's Album To Hit Shelves Next Month

Music helps Indo-American singer-composer Mana Bhatt communicate with people and "integrate" her Indian heritage with her American upbringing, she says, preparing to release her debut album Expressions.For the 23-year-old from Princeton, New Jersey, her album signifies her breaking out of the desi music mould.No bubble-gum lyrics.No lifting from Bollywood soundtracks and no over-produced beats to cover up the flaw in her voice, because frankly, there aren't any.Expressions, to be distributed soon, is a compilation of a variety of musical genres with global influences.All eight tracks move fluidly through rock, pop, and techno with distinct sounds of Indian, Middle Eastern, and American instruments.When one asks Bhatt what music means to her, she gets philosophical, according to the South Asian Observer."Music enables me to convey my deepest thoughts, emotions and beliefs.It allows me to bridge the distance between people - young and old.Music helps me integrate my Indian heritage with my American upbringing, an expression of who I was, an expression of who I am, an expression of who I want to be."Mana communicates her thoughts in Hindi.She has incorporated her life experiences into the music of Expressions - a childhood in New Jersey, college in New York City, and extended stays in London and India.English was bound to be a part of the album.But Mana's musical journey began before she could even speak a full sentence in it.Growing up in a traditional Gujarati household that lived and breathed music, Mana began singing at the age of three as part of her family's travelling show, which had a repertoire full of classic Hindi film hits.

Toronto, Aug 26 (IANS) Music helps Indo-American singer-composer Mana Bhatt communicate with people and 'integrate' her Indian heritage with her American upbringing, she says, preparing to release her debut album 'Expressions'.

For the 23-year-old from Princeton, New Jersey, her album signifies her breaking out of the desi music mould.No bubble-gum lyrics.No lifting from Bollywood soundtracks and no over-produced beats to cover up the flaw in her voice, because frankly, there aren't any.

'Expressions', to be distributed soon, is a compilation of a variety of musical genres with global influences.All eight tracks move fluidly through rock, pop, and techno with distinct sounds of Indian, Middle Eastern, and American instruments.

When one asks Bhatt what music means to her, she gets philosophical, according to the South Asian Observer. 'Music enables me to convey my deepest thoughts, emotions and beliefs.It allows me to bridge the distance between people - young and old.Music helps me integrate my Indian heritage with my American upbringing, an expression of who I was, an expression of who I am, an expression of who I want to be.'

Mana communicates her thoughts in Hindi.She has incorporated her life experiences into the music of 'Expressions' - a childhood in New Jersey, college in New York City, and extended stays in London and India.

English was bound to be a part of the album.But Mana's musical journey began before she could even speak a full sentence in it.

Growing up in a traditional Gujarati household that lived and breathed music, Mana began singing at the age of three as part of her family's travelling show, which had a repertoire full of classic Hindi film hits.
...
In high school, Mana explored R&B and at New York University (NYU) she fell in love with techno and world music.

As a student at NYU, her unique talent for vocally mimicking the orchestration behind songs finally found an outlet.With a classmate, she co-founded NY Masti, an all-girls Hindi group that toured the collegiate circuit across the US.
...
When Mana returned to New York after her creative hiatus in India, she started working as a relationship manager at the corporate office of HSBC Bank.Despite a hectic schedule, she laid all the groundwork for the album and began pondering a life-changing decision.

Just last month, Mana left her job to chase her dream.

'It's an amazingly liberating feeling.I always envisioned a career in finance, and music was always my hobby.But after spending four years at an undergraduate business school and working for two years in corporate America, I can finally put all of that on hold and give my hobby some full-time attention.It's so much more than a hobby - it's my life.And that makes this decision incredible.'

Mana is confident that 'Expressions' will touch people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds as she embarks on this journey.

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Music helps Indo-American singer-composer Mana Bhatt communicate with people and "integrate" her Indian heritage with her American upbringing, she says, preparing to release her debut album Expressions.

For the 23-year-old from Princeton, New Jersey, her album signifies her breaking out of the desi music mould.No bubble-gum lyrics.No lifting from Bollywood soundtracks and no over-produced beats to cover up the flaw in her voice, because frankly, there aren't any.

Expressions, to be distributed soon, is a compilation of a variety of musical genres with global influences.All eight tracks move fluidly through rock, pop, and techno with distinct sounds of Indian, Middle Eastern, and American instruments.

When one asks Bhatt what music means to her, she gets philosophical, according to the South Asian Observer."Music enables me to convey my deepest thoughts, emotions and beliefs.It allows me to bridge the distance between people - young and old.Music helps me integrate my Indian heritage with my American upbringing, an expression of who I was, an expression of who I am, an expression of who I want to be."

Mana communicates her thoughts in Hindi.She has incorporated her life experiences into the music of Expressions - a childhood in New Jersey, college in New York City, and extended stays in London and India.

English was bound to be a part of the album.But Mana's musical journey began before she could even speak a full sentence in it.

Growing up in a traditional Gujarati household that lived and breathed music, Mana began singing at the age of three as part of her family's travelling show, which had a repertoire full of classic Hindi film hits.
...
In high school, Mana explored R&B and at New York University (NYU) she fell in love with techno and world music.

As a student at NYU, her unique talent for vocally mimicking the orchestration behind songs finally found an outlet.With a classmate, she co-founded NY Masti, an all-girls Hindi group that toured the collegiate circuit across the US.
...
When Mana returned to New York after her creative hiatus in India, she started working as a relationship manager at the corporate office of HSBC Bank.Despite a hectic schedule, she laid all the groundwork for the album and began pondering a life-changing decision.

Just last month, Mana left her job to chase her dream.

"It's an amazingly liberating feeling.I always envisioned a career in finance, and music was always my hobby.But after spending four years at an undergraduate business school and working for two years in corporate America, I can finally put all of that on hold and give my hobby some full-time attention.It's so much more than a hobby - it's my life.And that makes this decision incredible."

Mana is confident that Expressions will touch people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds as she embarks on this journey.

Together Tina Shah and Mana Bhatt formed New York Masti.

Mana Bhatt, Magazine Industry Outreach

Mana currently is an entrepreneur who runs her own online ecommerce retail business, www.AmaniCreations.com, a company that specializes in precious and semi-precious gemstone jewelry.She launched this company independently after she spent one year involved in the manufacturing, design, marketing, and importing/exporting strategies involved, as Vice-President of Marketing and Business Development, at a wholesale jewelry manufacturing company.Prior to Mana's pursuit in the jewelry industry, she worked for two years in New York at HSBC Bank, the second largest global bank in the world, as a Middle-Market Relationship Manager.As a result of her experiences, she has developed strong leadership, marketing, and entrepreneurial skills with the drive and focus to make a difference.

Mana graduated from New York University's Stern School of Business with a double-major in Finance and International Business.During her college years, Mana co-founded an all girl fusion a cappella group called NY Masti, which led her to pursue her musical passion after graduation on a more professional level.She released her first album, Expressions, independently, targeting the South Asian population in the U.S. and Canada and soon after, signed to a management company as an Indian vocalist in the Hip Hop industry.It was through her exposure to the music industry that Mana realized the importance and need of literacy.Some of the most brilliant artists and musicians were not able to read well enough to understand the legal and contractual matters involved in protecting their interests and launching their careers forward.

This experience led Mana to move forward and take initiative in promoting literacy.She has become actively involved with Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, a non-profit organization that records academic materials on tape for blind and dyslexic students, from the Kindergarten to the Post-graduate level, as an Economics reader and volunteer in the business development.She also has become an online math and English tutor, through www.tutor.com, to students from 4th grade through college.She met others with the same creative inspiration and passion to make a difference at the Magazine Publishers Family Literacy Project.As the first national, magazine industry-wide literacy campaign organization, Mana is proud and excited to be part of the momentum, energy, and drive to make a difference in children's lives and take another step towards improving literacy in America.

Mana Bhatt, Magazine Industry Outreach

Mana currently is an entrepreneur who runs her own online ecommerce retail business, www.AmaniCreations.com, a company that specializes in precious and semi-precious gemstone jewelry. She launched this company independently after she spent one year involved in the manufacturing, design, marketing, and importing/exporting strategies involved, as Vice-President of Marketing and Business Development, at a wholesale jewelry manufacturing company. Prior to Mana's pursuit in the jewelry industry, she worked for two years in New York at HSBC Bank, the second largest global bank in the world, as a Middle-Market Relationship Manager. As a result of her experiences, she has developed strong leadership, marketing, and entrepreneurial skills with the drive and focus to make a difference.

Mana graduated from New York University's Stern School of Business with a double-major in Finance and International Business. During her college years, Mana co-founded an all girl fusion a cappella group called NY Masti, which led her to pursue her musical passion after graduation on a more professional level. She released her first album, Expressions, independently, targeting the South Asian population in the U.S. and Canada and soon after, signed to a management company as an Indian vocalist in the Hip Hop industry. It was through her exposure to the music industry that Mana realized the importance and need of literacy. Some of the most brilliant artists and musicians were not able to read well enough to understand the legal and contractual matters involved in protecting their interests and launching their careers forward.

This experience led Mana to move forward and take initiative in promoting literacy. She has become actively involved with Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, a non-profit organization that records academic materials on tape for blind and dyslexic students, from the Kindergarten to the Post-graduate level, as an Economics reader and volunteer in the business development. She also has become an online math and English tutor, through www.tutor.com, to students from 4th grade through college. She met others with the same creative inspiration and passion to make a difference at the Magazine Publishers Family Literacy Project. As the first national, magazine industry-wide literacy campaign organization, Mana is proud and excited to be part of the momentum, energy, and drive to make a difference in children's lives and take another step towards improving literacy in America.