With over 1000+ concerts and shows in India and internationally,
Manasa Holla’s soulful voice encapsulates the heart and soul of her audiences globally.
With a heritage deeply rooted in Carnatic, Hindustan, and Western music, Archana Ravi is popularly known by her stage name Manasa Holla in the music industry. Being born into a family of musicians, her music is always reflected in the legacy she holds. Her father, Arvind M A (also known as Shankhanada Arvind), is a state and national-level stage artist, and her mother, Ramadevi was a Kannada playback singer. With her mother’s support, she started taking an interest in music from a very young age. From the tender age of 5, she took training from her gurus Nagamani Srinath, Fiaz Khan, Veena Varuni, and Venkatesh Alkod. Later, she was also trained by Stephen Prayog in Western Music. She is presently learning Carnatic music from Rahul K Ravindra.
Filmography
Having grown up learning and listening to various musical styles, Manasa wanted to be a natural experimentalist in her art. Manasa began her singing career with her first commercial release in 2007 for the movie “Timma,” “directed by Venkat Narayan, starring Arjun and Amulya.
Subsequently, she has sung more than 10 title songs for several major TV serials, 200+ devotional and folk music albums, and sung over 250+ movie songs. With over 30 plus years in the music industry, Manasa has worked with some eminent directors like Hamsalekha, V. Harikrishna, V. Manohar, Arjun Janya, Raghu Dixit, Veer Samarth, Mano Murthy, K. Kalyan, V. Shridhar, Stephen Prayog, Gandharva, Hruday Goswamy, Pranav, and the likes for films, albums, television, and live concerts. She has also performed at some of India’s most prominent venues, the Hampi and Chalukya Utsav. Her songs that have won her accolades are from movies like Vasundhara, Super Ranga, Style King, Adhyaksha, Ajith, Shivalinga, Bhale Jodi, Simpllag Innondh Love Story, Mumtaz, Rajini Kantha, Goa, Darling, 99, Bharate, Ammachchiyemba Nenapu, Aaduva Gombe, Chamak, Aranyani, Gimmick, Udumba, 6 to 6, Kanasu Maratakkide, etc.
With over 1000+ concerts and shows in India and internationally, a feel-good vibe is dominant in Manasa music, and her signature voice encapsulates the heart and soul of her audiences.
Awards & Recognition
Making her mark in the industry as a music director, she released her first debut, “6 to 6” home production in 2018. Her compositions replicate her love for instrumental and improvised music. “Nannee Hrudayava” is her first single that brings a strong blend of emotions that will tug at your heartstrings. Recently, she also directed music for “Kanasu Maratakkidhe”, “Manasaagidhe”, “Masanadha Hoovu”, and “Kempu Deepa”. Her upcoming movies as music director are Bayalu Seeme, Puncture, and Kasarath (a Tulu movie). Even worked on web series just to name a few “Vanaja”, “Ganda Gundi”, “Honey Trap,” & “Parcels,” etc for Talkies App. Giving background music score for a few well-known Kannada teleserials “Nanarasi Radhe” & “Mithun Rashi”. short movies like “Antharanga” & “E vishaya namvolage erale”.
She was also seen as a jury member in singing reality shows like Zee Kannada’s SaReGaMaPa and show Judge over Stars of Karnataka on Kasturi Channel, respectively.
Awards and Accolades
Her mesmerizing voice and enigmatic music have gained her numerous honours including the Aryabhatta Award for Anavarna (Tv Show), KIMA for Ashwini Nakshtra (Tele Serial), Karnataka Chalanachitra Rasikara Prashasthi for Shivalinga (Movie), and the best music composer award for the short film “Antharanga”. Manasa’s music has garnered praise from several legends in the industry. After hearing her song “Aagide Aagide” from the movie 99, she was titled the “Most versatile singer of this generation”. During the release of the movie 6 to 6, The Karnataka Ratna Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar was full of praises for the track “Saavira Saavira”. He said; “Manasa creates music that expresses the serenity in her voice”.
Malnad Sisters
Presently, Manasa’s focus is on her band, “Malnad Sisters” collaborated with her sister, Mrs Prarthana M.A.
Driven by a passionate hunger for making it big in life, the Malnad Sisters, Manasa Holla and Prarthana have always been heavily inspired and mentored by their mother, Mrs Rama Aravind. Belonging from an affluently enriched musical bloodline, the duo shortly bloomed to being celebrated as singers and were known to be the devoted protégé of legendary musicians Sri Venkatesh Algode, and Sri Veen D Stephen. Decanting deeply rooted knowledge in Carnatic, Hindustan and Wester music, Archana Ravi, aka. Manasa Hola was endowed with the prestigious title of being the ‘Most versatile singer of this generation. While the adoration of Manasa cannot be summed up in a few words, so would be speaking of Prarthana would be just a few fragments of her inspiring footprints in the music industry. Recreating old classics, she adds her delectable flavour of melody as an adroit bass guitarist. Etched as historic moments. Prarthana has also shared the stage with nightingales like S.P.Balasubrahmanyam, and S.Janaki.
