Tune into the Nectarian Music of Mary Isis
When a sound falls on your ears and penetrates into your soul, you call the sound music. Music existed even before it became an art; it spoke to us even before it was recognised as a means to communicate; it soothed us even before we realised it was a therapy. Music is the sweetest medicine that rids you of ailments you didn’t even know you were suffering from. And we had a chance to speak to someone who makes this medicine sweeter by lending it her healing touch! Mary Isis sounds like music, even when she isn’t singing; she heals even when she isn’t trying. Humanity must be grateful for she has chosen to dedicate her life to “medicine music”, i.e. music that inspires, uplifts, transforms, and emotionally integrates you with your very core.
Mary discovered the music within herself at a very young age of 7. Voice was her first instrument, post which she took piano lessons, which opened her up to the limitless world of music. It’s in her 20s that she chanced upon some healing ceremonies, where the artists created and played music with the intention to heal, that she identified her calling. She realised that the gift of music is a channel of healing. No sooner did she know that than she started looking at music in a completely different perspective. She gave up her job in the interest of healing as many beings as she could with her music.
The first song that struck a chord with her heart was “Over the rainbow”, which her Grandmother used to sing to her. That’s when it occurred to her that music is a language that bonds people in unimaginable ways.
Mary is a multi-instrumentalist. She recognises the uniqueness of each instrument and how it enhances a song in its own peculiar way. After plays Ukulele, a popular instrument in Hawaii, she takes it along everywhere.
She’s a multi-instrumentalist. She learned piano first, then guitar and ukulele when she moved to Hawaii; then, Charango, like ukulele with more strings. In India, she learnt tanpura, which she plays when she’s chanting; kalimba, which originated in Africa. She plays singing bowls as well, to chant and meditate to heal. Only took piano lessons, learnt everything else by herself.
Plays a song “Mahalo”, which ,means “Thank you” in Hawaii. The song expresses the gratitude she has for elements of nature. “Aloha”, the Hawaiian version of Namaste. “I give thanks for we are the conscious co-creators, I give thanks for we are our own liberators.”
While Mary has been fascinated by music in entirety, the more she created music, the more she became aware of how empowering the music can be. She sought the potential of medicine in music, i.e. music which could release pain and heal the world. That’s when she moved on from being a musician to becoming a visionary. The conscious creation of music which would help people end their misery and transcend beyond pain is what has been driving Mary to her ultimate calling.
Although creativity is fluid and could stem from anywhere, there’s often a process that most artists are attuned to, which helps them tap into their potential and shape it beautifully. Mary says that anything could trigger the music in her, but nature and emotions have been the most prominent drivers of her creativity. Sometimes, she breaks into a refrain or a thought and picks it up from there. At other times, the song occurs to her in her dreams when she’s in a deep slumber. Music, healing and love, aren’t they the best when they come to you unannounced?
When asked about her latest album, which is called Nectarian, she says how her friend told her that she has a nectarian voice, which stuck with her and thus was christened her album. She recorded her album when she was in Hawaii in 2013. Her inspiration for the album was tapping into the nectar-like sweetness of life and being grateful for every moment that we’re alive. Another album, Nectar Medicine is a compilation of healing songs catering to different traditions. You could connect with her on Patreon, where she continuously puts out her music, does one-on-one session with people, connects with those who want to create music and heals people with her musical gift. “Let it flow” is another awaited album which wouldn’t just heal people, but also make them groove to the electronic music, which is an exciting variation that Mary incorporated in her songs. You could discover her music on Insight Timer, the app to meditate, heal and rejuvenate. You could also watch her videos on YouTube.
Mary associated with our #LitASmile:) campaign during Diwali 2020 & organised an online fundraiser event where she successfully raised over hundred dollars. Through her music, she always finds ways to give her love back to people and places close to her heart. She can’t be more poignant when she says that world needs to heal and we thank her for doing her bit to make the world a calmer, more blissful place to live in.
Watch Mary Isis narrate her journey from healing herself to taking up the responsibility of healing the world!
It’s a matter of pride and privilege for Katapult to connect with talented artists that are determined to transform the face of art, and thus the society, one masterpiece at a time. Stay connected with art and artists by listening to their inspiring stories on Up, Close & Personal.
