A timely musical reflection of the times we live in “On The Horizon'' captures the common human experience of feeling lost and unanchored, and the subsequent quest for guidance, inspiration, respite and hope.  
The single is a true-fusion of East and West, starting in English and then swelling to a traditional bhajan in Hindi. It features diverse textures of  instrumentation and vocal harmonies, including the multi-layering of piano and Middle-Eastern frame drums.  The song was engineered carefully and diligently by Niyi Adepoyibi in the studios of Radio 4eb in Brisbane. The single has already received acclaim, nominated as a QMusic Finalist in the World Music category for 2022.

On The Horizon

This song is about seeing each other beyond the superficial and "skin deep" of colour, and appearance and the assumptions that they bring.

It is a collaboration between Indian-Fusion singer Menaka Thomas, stunning songstress Kelsey Giarola, and the amazing Meg Burstow (piano) and Tsoof Baras (percussion).

Lyrics:
See me
Beyond skin deep
Beyond assumptions
See me

Your skin deep
What does it even mean to me?
What stories then do I believe
When I don't know you?

My skin deep
What does it even mean to you?
What then do you assume
When you don't know me?

See me
Beyond skin deep
Beyond assumptions
See me
See me
Beyond skin deep
Beyond assumptions
See me

What does your colour mean to me?
I could pretend that I don't see a thing and float right along
Yet colour is what we see
And like a cover of a book
It either beckons or deters
Beckons or deters

I see you
Beyond skin deep
Beyond assumptions
I see me
I see me
Beyond skin deep
Your preconceptions
See me
See me
Beyond skin deep
Beyond assumptions
See me
See me
Beyond skin deep
Beyond assumptions
See me
credits
released June 19, 2023
Written by Menaka Thomas
Main Vocals: Menaka Thomas and Kelsey Giarola
Back up vocals: Meg Burstow and Tsoof Baras
Piano: Meg Burstow
Percussion: Tsoof Baras

Mixed and recorded by Niyi Adepoyibi at Radio 4eb, Brisbane.
Mastered by Peet Gardner. So Soap Studio.

Beyond Skin Deep

Beyond Skin Deep (Featuring Kelsey Giarola)

This is an original arrangement and adaptation of a traditional "Geetam" or song from the Carnatic music tradition.

Padhumanabha

Bittersweet' depicts the experience of grief - the bitterness and sweetness of such a personal and life-changing experience.

The Indian Swaras or notation and syllables in the song depict the feelings that can't be coined into words, the questions that cannot be asked and the words that can't be formed.

Bittersweet

This is a song from Menaka's debut album "My Eyes Can See". Menaka is an Australian-born, classically trained Indian devotional singer. This album is a unique fusion of Indian traditional music with contemporary and other world music influences; an intersection of East and West.

Lift Your Voice (Featuring Tenzin Choegyal)

This is a song from the debut album by Menaka, an Australian-born Indian devotional singer. This album is a unique fusion of Indian traditional music with contemporary and other world music influences; an intersection of East and West.

This song is a traditional lullaby in the South Indian language of Tamil. Menaka has rearranged this song to involve contemporary influences, as well as a verse in English to her own daughter. This track features the voice of singer-songwriter Rebecca Bornstein

Kanne En Kanmaniye (Featuring Rebecca Bornstein)

This is the title track from Menaka's debut album. Menaka is an Australian-born, classically trained Indian devotional singer. Her music is a fusion of traditional Indian music with contemporary and other world music influences; an insersection of East and West.

My Eyes Can See

This is a song from Menaka's debut album "My Eyes Can See". This song is in praise of Goddess Meenakshi, whose beautiful and brilliant fish-shaped eyes are always open, watchful and full of compassion for all.

Madhura Meenakshi

This is a track from Menaka's debut album "My Eyes Can See". Menaka is an Australian-born Indian devotional singer. Her music is a unique fusion of Indian vocals with contemporary and other world music influences.
This song was written as a welcome song to her daughter as Menaka was in the final stages of her pregnancy.

Hold You In My Arms

This is a song from Menaka Thomas' debut album, "My Eyes Can See". This is an original arrangement and tuning of the well known Hindu mantra "Om Namah Shivaaya" and is ideal for meditation and prayer.

Om Namah Shivaaya

This is a song from  Menaka's debut album "My Eyes Can See". This is a song of gratitude, dedicated to the people in her lives that helped her through a challenging time in her life when she nearly lost her vision.

You Give To Me

This is a radio interview of singer-songwriter Menaka Thomas and pianist Meg Burstow with comedian and radio-broadcaster Ashwin Segkar. The interview was aired on 612 ABC Brisbane on 2nd January 2021. The conversation explored Menaka's music, which is a fusion of Indian classical music with contemporary influences. The interview features live performances of some of Menaka's original songs.

Radio Interview - Menaka, Meg Burstow and Ashwin Segkar 612 ABC Brisbane, 2nd January 2021

'Feel the Joy' is a single recorded as part of Radio 4eb's "Music Masala" project for 2020. It is a song about searching for joy - not in the extraordinary - but in the ordinary and every day.

Feel The Joy - Menaka and Old Semeil (featuring Tsoof Baras)

Award-winning Indian-Australian singer Menaka draws on her heritage to write songs that seamlessly blend traditional Indian vocals with contemporary influences.

When a deterioration of her health nearly claimed her vision, Menaka turned to songwriting for comfort. Since then she has gone from strength to strength, quickly becoming a stalwart of the Australian World music scene and delivering inspired performances at major events.

In 2023, Menaka received a Queensland Music Award for Best Song (World) for her collaboration with Brisbane songwriter mou.

She has performed alongside acclaimed musicians including Tibetan singer Tenzin Choegyal, Tibet2Timbuktu and world music trio “Spirit of Bhakti”

Menaka

Popular tracks