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Susheela Raman

From India, United Kingdom

Smoky-voiced protector of Tamil traditions

To most, Susheela Raman's moment in the sun came in 2001 when her debut album Salt Rain made the shortlist for the Mercury Prize, overnight placing her in the company of the likes of Radiohead, Elbow and Goldfrapp. PJ Harvey took the top prize on the night, but there was no despair from Susheela's table. Ever since she's shown herself willing to operate on unparallel lines to the rest of the industry. Accordingly, the intervening years have seen an unhurried stream of records full of sonic intrigue and narrated by Susheela's versatile voice. Her music is a product of her Tamil heritage, of long periods spent living in Australia and the UK, and of the receptive way she absorbs music from all over. In this way, her approach is not dissimilar to that of Kate Bush, calmly charting her own course while waiting for the world to catch up.

(Biography written by Nige Tassell 2011)

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