An artist to her very core, Shivali Bhammer has taken the world by storm with her artistry. From paving her own path in the space of motivational speaking to dominating the world charts with her devotional songs, she’s a prolific personality that’s brought forth Indian culture to a new scale.
Motivational speaker, singer, actor, writer, equity derivatives broker – Shivali dons many hats. Born and raised in London, her artistic being led her to grow into the youngest and only artist to ever be signed by Sony Music BMG for her bhajans. Her devotional albums, The Bhajan Project and Urban Temple, both peaked at the top on the iTunes World Chart.
With diplomas in acting, Kathak and ballet, the artist is also an award-winning playwright and has done documentaries and recordings for BBC Television, BBC Radio and other radio channels in both India and the USA.
Always on the go with her creative and inspiring endeavours, here’s GlobalSpa in conversation with the ace herself…
1.) Take us to the beginning. How did your passion as an artist come about?
I was passionate from a young age, shouting Hari Bol at the top of my voice to an audience that consisted of my great aunts and great grandmother. I think most artists discovered their passions in childhood. I would sing and pretend I was in musicals; I would dance and jump around; I would recite shlokas from the Gita. And then as I grew older, I focused more on investing in the arts and the passion turned to commitment which eventually presented itself in opportunity.
2.) Often the road less taken is such because it comes with challenges. What kind of challenges did you have to face throughout your journey?
The most difficult challenge for an artist is the feeling of not having achieved enough or done enough. The creative spirit does not come with a full stop and so you feel this constant need to express yourself. The problem is very few people make it, so much if it is based on luck, timing, being at the right place at the right time. The challenge is accepting that you perhaps won’t always get what you wanted but that doesn’t mean you haven’t succeeded. There is success in surrender.
3.) What vision do you carry as a motivational speaker?
Authenticity. I don’t like the over manufactured messages and videos. It becomes generic and superficial. I think people need honesty in the world. I don’t want to be one of those speakers who are cookie-cutter and say ‘I used to be a mess and then I found myself, this is how, you can do it too!’. I want people to know that the play of dark and light will always continue to plague one’s life, including mine, and we have to learn to manage it. Some days it will be easier, other days it will be hard. You cannot cling onto this idea that there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, more so, you are the rainbow and you will experience all colours of life.
4.) The world can be fast-paced and easily hectic, so how do you manage to remain in touch with your inner/creative self?
I spend time alone. I feel sick if I socialize too much. Being creative means turning your back on everything and everyone sometimes and just being by yourself. That space allows you to be creative again… and then there is a certain amount of discipline. You may not be the person at every party, but you’ll be having a blast having stayed home and created something.
5.) What’s your success mantra?
Never give in to fear, when you are closest to succeeding it will try and pull you down. You must always be the lion and push through.
6.) Any word of advice for fellow aspiring woman entrepreneurs?
Throw yourself in and try, women have been controlled by the patriarchy for thousands of years. ‘You can’t do that you’re a woman’, ‘What would people say, you’re a woman.’ ‘You should stay home, you’re a woman.’ ‘It is a man’s world, you won’t fit in, you’re a woman.’
Please let us not forget that when the men went to war, women kept their country running. Women are superheroes who can do everything, they can become CEOs, have children, run a household and kill it. Millions are doing it already, there is no reason you can’t be one of them.
7.) And lastly, what’s next for you?
Hopefully releasing my third album, pandemic pending! And then releasing a few mindful meditations and lectures through various mediums. We’ll see what each day brings.
