For 70-year-old Nira, music has always been more than just a hobby; it’s a lifelong passion that began in the early years of his childhood. Growing up in a household where his father sang ballads from the ‘50s and ‘60s, the melodies of these timeless songs became the soundtracks of his youth. It was only natural for Nira to fall in love with music. By the time he was 11, he was already writing songs with his first electric guitar—a solid gift that was so heavy he had to play it sitting down. Even with his early start in music and remarkable talent, Nira has always preferred the creative side of music over performing. With a musical journey spanning over five decades, he has finally decided to release and re-release his material to the world, not seeking fame or acclaim, but simply sharing his musical passion in the form of refined and authentic music.
As someone who was born in Sri Lanka before moving to the UK at the age of 3 and has obviously been to many countries, including Spain, where he has lived for a while, Nira has developed into a visionary artist at the intersection of cultural musical traditions and technological innovation.
At his little studio, set up in his temporary rented flat in Nottingham, Nira draws from his rich cultural experiences to create music that transcends boundaries. He skillfully merges timeless South Asian rhythms with Western melodies and instrumentation, creating a completely new and captivating sound.
By incorporating elements of dance/disco, soul, folk, pop, rock, and even country into his compositions, Nira crafts a dynamic and evocative sonic universe that invites the listener beyond the conventional boundaries of music.
I’ve had the pleasure of listening to some of his music, and I can assure you that it is worth your time. One particular tune that really caught my ear was “Dance With Me,” an enchanting disco masterpiece that Nira wrote and recorded without the vocals back in 2010. The track has now been released with fresh vocals featuring a guest vocalist, as the uplifting lyrics resonate deeply over the shimmering blend of pulsating rhythms and melodies, lifting your spirits, warming your heart, moving your body, and making you feel wildly alive.
Another bona fide standout has to be “Shaanti.” This one sees Nira stunningly blend traditional South Asian melodies, rhythms, and instruments with some aspects of western music, and the end result is something that transcends mere music intrigue. I mean, at some point, you feel like you are in the middle of some fascinating Pakistani cultural festival as the hauntingly beautiful melodies soothe your soul and the simple yet strikingly efficient blend of sitars and tablas and guitars and drums makes you want to dance with joyful abandon.
There is a certain special emotion both the tracks “Raining (Male version)” and “Raining (Female version)” evoke inside of you. This is folk-rock at its finest, with impeccable guitar picking, tuning, and awe-inspiring musicianship to stir the soul of the listener and leave a lasting impression on them. This is what good, memorable music does to a person, and there is no way of resisting the feel—it just comes naturally as if Nira created these songs specifically for a listener, no matter where they are!
Nira’s eclectic fusion, merging together his Eastern roots and Western influences, reflects his journey as an artist who straddles two worlds, combining elements from both to create something uniquely his own.
Now at 70, Nira has decided to once again share his music with the world. It’s not for fame or recognition but rather to see if his songs can touch even just one or two people along the way. If they do, then his journey will have been worthwhile. With his eclectic range and deep emotional connections to his songs, Nira’s music speaks to the soul, inviting listeners to join him on this new chapter of his musical journey.
As Nira sets out to release his music, he carries with him decades of experience and a fervent passion for songwriting. This is not just a return to form—it’s a chance for the world to discover a remarkable talent whose music has the power to resonate across generations. And who knows? Maybe one of his songs will become the soundtrack to someone else’s journey, just as his father’s ballads did for him.
Check him out @MusicByNira and embrace his stunning sonic tapestry that comes straight from his heart.
Nira’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MusicByNira
