Priya Parrotta
Writer, Musician, Activist
Songwriting
About
Priya writes original music to respond to the beauty, pain, and absurdities of our world. Her songs can perhaps be best described as global soul: They celebrate multicultural crossroads, dialogue across borders, protest, sensitivity, joy and peace. Her vocals have developed from years of singing in multiple styles, including Western classical and choral; Indian semi-classical and Vedic chant; as well as jazz, blues, and soul. She writes in three languages-- English, Spanish and Italian-- and also sings in Hindi, Urdu, French, Bengali, Portuguese, Latin and Sanskrit.
With laughter and conviction, Priya's lyrics engage directly with themes such as the rights of nature, feminism, the search for deep peace, climate justice and solidarity, and the ever-unfolding madness of those in power. She makes no apologies for her critiques of many aspects of contemporary life; nor does she make a secret of her wishes for a kinder and wiser world. Clarity about the present, and imagination for the future, are thus the driving forces behind her songs.
Selected Responses
"Priya's gentle voice and music with the excellent lyrics throughout her repertoire demonstrate her firm commitment to the political, philosophical and environmental issues of our day that so concern her. Well done indeed!" - Professor Jeff Burley, Director Emeritus, Oxford Forestry Institute
"Priya has such a soulful and beautiful voice- there is so much maturity in her music and its meaning." -- Dr. Sharada Srinivasan, archaeologist, dancer and recipient of the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards
"I am inspired by Priya's work and music!" - Dr. Joanne Loewy, Founding Director of the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Founding Member of the International Association for Music and Medicine
"I am mesmerized. Priya can easily be placed in the category of accomplished musicians who connect us to nature and bring happiness." - Professor Alfred Oteng-Yeboah, recipient of the the John C. Phillips Memorial Medal (the IUCN's highest honor) and Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences
"La bellissima voce [di Priya] è un'orchestra sinfonica fatta solo di corde vocali." - Enrico Bernard, celebre drammaturgo e regista -- Roma, Italia
"Beautiful, magical." - Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino, Professor of Sociology at the University of Malta, President of the Small Island Studies Association, and author/editor of Island Songs: A Global Repertoire -- Msida, Malta
"Preciosas canciones y [su] voz un regalo de vida." - Héctor Luis Acevedo, Professor and Former Mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico
"Priya [creates] exceptionally beautiful songs. It is amazing with how much ease and sophistication [she] integrates different cultural and stylistic aspects into her music." — Alexander Buck, International Union of Forest Research Organizations -- Vienna, Austria
"I love the beautiful spirit and grace Priya brings to her work." - Dr. Laurie Brinklow, UNESCO Chair of Island Studies and Sustainability -- Prince Edward Island, Canada
"Gorgeous-- deep, meaningful, resonating. I hope many hear (and heed!) [Priya's] voice." - Dr. Paul Wapner, and award-winning author and Professor of Global Environmental Politics & Ethics
"Priya's music is really inspirational and communicates peace, something we truly need." - Elena Paoletti, National Research Council of Italy -- Firenze, Italia
"I hope this spreads sensitivity and brings sense." - Ashok Lavasa, Former Environment, Forests and Climate Change Secretary of India
"What a wonderful, warm and velvety sound that permeates to the depths of the human soul.” --Mitra Sagheb-Talebi - Tehran, Iran