Biography

Born and raised in Venezuela, steeped in the ancient traditions of the East, and traveling the world, modern-day troubadour Dhanya is a rising voice of the conscious music scene. 
 Daughter of two-time Latin Grammy winner, Ilan Chester, and a self-professed music-nerd, her gift for poetry and song blossomed in early childhood, giving her a voracious appetite for music of all kinds. Her upbringing opened her ears and heart to the sounds of kirtan, qawwali and other devotional musical styles. As a teen, Dhanya was steeped in the electronic underground music scene and she spent time living in West Bengal, India where she studied literature and the traditional devotional music of Bhakti; kirtan. 
 Back in the US, Dhanya began recording and touring with the kirtan group Mayapuris, touring across 6 continents. This opened her up to the conscious music movement, bridging ancient wisdom with popular song, igniting her desire to craft a conscious musical response to the vapid tendencies of mainstream music. Dhanya co-produced her self-titled debut with acclaimed artists Robin Livingston, Ben Leinbach and Mayapuris. The album features MC Yogi and lyricist Bali Rico. Amidst the collection of mystical soundscapes, there remains a constant focus on Dhanya’s soaring vocals, which exhibit a striking emotional range. “As an instrument, the voice is alchemical,” Dhanya asserts. “It has the potential to transform all feelings and experiences into sound.”