Genre: Electronica with Ethnic / Folk Instruments(Folktronica, Tribal Tek, Organic Trance, Organic Electro, Psychill, Psybient, Psychedelic Ambient)
Instruments: Led by Mouth Harps / Moorchungas
Additional instruments: Sullur, Kalimba, Koyal Shiti, Singing Frogs & Forest FX, Breath FX, Percussion

Varun Lulla

A virtuoso with the mouth harp, Varun plays this tribal folk instrument across many genres. His early stage presence centred on live jamming with electronic music. His new album, CosmonauT tt, weaves funk, dub, psy, swamp and glitch into an electronic soundscape. The album is inspired by the idea that all of existence is embodied within the human being. It reflects a sonic dance journey navigating the cosmos to travelling through the human body. The musical message is clear: To go to the source within, bring back the wisdom and create paradise on Planet Earth.

Various collaborations, SangeetAnand — the Band, and his solo project, reflect Varun's journey with the mouth harp over the last twenty years. Beyond performance, he is engaged in studio work (@mothership.studio), sound bath (@auraalchemygoa), teaching, sourcing from multi-generational craftsmen, and documenting the mouth harp's living history across the Indian subcontinent and the wider world.

He is also co-founder of the Ancient Science Collective, a multidisciplinary performing arts and music collective incorporating flow arts, dance, theatre, visual programming, aromatherapy and more.

Varun's Magic Carpet

Growing up grooving to the rhythms and melodies of cosmopolitan Bombay, Varun voyaged out early in search of his roots. In his quest to find himself and his origins, he discovered the mouth harp — a rare, overtone, single-string instrument found across the world under many names, used historically and geographically to speak to animals, plants and nature spirits.

From a land of sensual overload, he found a way out into simplicity, and the core. His quest shaped a deep appreciation for sound, tribal culture and nature. His travels brought him to his ancestral roots on the banks of the Indus, to the Ladakh Confluence Music Festival in Leh, Ladakh. Further still to the study of ecology, field botany, biodynamic farming, permaculture, the music of plants, the art of tai chi, tree gong and the music of life. Varun found his calling in this instrument, in eco-design, and in creating colourful stages that bring together his love for nature and art. Under one roof and under one sky.

The monotone aspect of the instrument, unlike a multi-note instrument, demands that the player be with oneness. One sound. One note. One electric field. One heartbeat. One vibration, magnified through the body — the respiratory system, the organs of articulation, the whole human being. The persistent vibration and steady rhythm brings one into a trance-like state. The practice develops a strong inner light.

Playing the mouth harp Varun found his roots in breath. He began to see that everything breathes. Be it living or non living. Like the wind, found all over the planet, the mouth harp can be discovered in every corner of the world. Varun resonates with this global unity. He enjoys travelling and seeking the mouth harp wherever he goes. He enjoys observing oneness. He sees it in the nature, in the wind, in the water, in the sunlight, in the flora, fauna and in humanity that live on one earth and share together in all.

One stop, magic man.
Meet him — if you wanna change your plan!

Artistically inspired by largely nonverbal films like Baraka, One Giant Leap, Lucky People Center International, Latcho Drom, the Qatsi Trilogy. An active member of Pirate Cinema. Call him to organise film screenings.

Varun has been an eco activist. The CEO of Nothing ™ (India). Buy Nothing ™ Day, a day to spend less and think more. A 24-hour global protest to abstain from consumerism and embrace conversation, music and laughter - to reflect on the environmental and social impacts of overconsumption.

Further, Buy Nothing ™ Day, has been credited for inspiring movements like “TV TurnOff Week” and "Batti Bandh" (Hindi for "switch off the lights") refers to voluntary energy conservation campaigns in Mumbai, India.

Fun Facts

Unlearning and Re learning to Breathe. To Center. To find Gratitude. To bring life into life.

Artistically inspired by largely nonverbal films like Baraka, One Giant Leap, Lucky People Center International, Latcho Drom, the Qatsi Trilogy. An active member of Pirate Cinema. Call him to organise film screenings.

Varun has been an eco activist. The CEO of Nothing ™ (India). Buy Nothing ™ Day, a day to spend less and think more. A 24-hour global protest to abstain from consumerism and embrace conversation, music and laughter - to reflect on the environmental and social impacts of overconsumption.

Further, Buy Nothing ™ Day, has been credited for inspiring movements like “TV TurnOff Week” and "Batti Bandh" (Hindi for "switch off the lights") refers to voluntary energy conservation campaigns in Mumbai, India.

Testimony of the wind