Vachanas Revived: Acclaimed Artists Breathe New Life into Ancient Poetic Gems

In October 2025, acclaimed singer, actor, and composer MD Pallavi has joined forces with Bruce Lee Mani, the musician and guitarist of the band Taaq, for a new project titled "Kayaka." The duo is working to modernize the ancient Vachanas, the poetic verses written by 12th-century saints, workers, and artists, by setting them to a contemporary musical soundscape.

The project aims to frame these timeless writings on ethics, labor, and devotion in a new context for modern audiences. Pallavi, who has long been drawn to the verses of these 12th-century figures, believes the ideas explored in the Vachanas are still highly relevant today, as they address issues of gender, class, and caste equality, as well as the divine nature of one's work.

For musician Bruce Lee Mani, these writings and music itself mirror the challenging times we live in, marked by inequality, hubris, and desensitization. Yet, the poems also speak of hope, transcendence, and the belief that we can be better. Mani and Pallavi, though privileged in many ways, feel a strong empathy with the voices of these ancient poets, and hope that their music can inspire quiet revolutions within people.

In an age where music is often consumed through short clips and reels, Pallavi and Mani believe there is still a space for more mindful listening. They have noticed a return to the long form, with people craving sincerity and depth in music once again. Presenting such heritage and thought on a modern stage is both challenging and exciting, but Bengaluru, with its openness to both tradition and experimentation, offers the perfect audience for their project.