Dhee launches “Vari Vari,” marking Sri Lanka as key milestone in global rise

• Australian-Tamil star celebrates Sri Lankan roots with Jaffna-shot single and high-profile Colombo launch

By Amira Cader

Acclaimed Australian-Tamil singer, songwriter and performer Dhee continues her rapid ascent on the global stage with the release of her latest single, “Vari Vari,” officially unveiled yesterday in Colombo.

The official YouTube release was launched at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, drawing an audience of prominent figures from Sri Lanka’s entertainment sector and the wider Tamil music industry. The event was attended by Ports and Civil Aviation Deputy Minister Nuwan Kodituwakku, alongside Parliamentarian Mano Ganesan, as well as a host of distinguished guests.

Hosted by media personality Danu Innasithamby, the evening blended music, culture and international collaboration. Speaking at the event, Dhee highlighted her strong personal connection to Sri Lanka, revealing that “Vari Vari” was filmed in Jaffna. As an artist of Sri Lankan heritage, she described the project as a deeply meaningful experience and a proud moment in her career.

Dhee, born Dheekshitha Venkadeshan, is an Australian-Tamil singer known for her distinctive voice and genre-blending sound. She was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to India, where her music career took shape. Dhee is the daughter of Sri Lankan Tamil artist Meenakshi Iyer and acclaimed Indian composer Santhosh Narayanan.

On the brink of a major global breakthrough, Dhee has steadily built a reputation as one of the most influential voices in contemporary Tamil music. “Vari Vari” reinforces her position at the forefront of Tamil pop, blending rhythmic handclaps with electric guitar melodies and her signature ethereal vocals to create a track that resonates across borders.

The song explores themes of loss and self-rediscovery. “This song is about something that’s gone… a feeling that is lost, and about searching for yourself and trying to bring that feeling back,” she shared.

Acclaimed Indian music composer Santhosh Narayanan shared insights into the creative process, noting that the song was developed over a few months through close collaboration with Dhee. He also extended his appreciation to the entire production team from both India and Sri Lanka for their dedication and hard work in bringing the project to life.

Lyricist Vivek highlighted the rebellious undertones of the song’s lyrics, adding that Dhee’s distinctive vocals brought a perfect balance and elevated the composition. 

He noted that she had done full justice to the track and described the collaboration as a rewarding experience, praising the synergy between the artist, composer and lyricist in creating a song rich in depth and authenticity.

Further amplifying her international reach, Dhee was recently selected as the face of H&M’s global “Red Stage” campaign, which connects music, fashion and self-expression. As part of the initiative, she reinterpreted GIVEON’s hit “Like I Want You,” infusing it with Indian musical influences.

Her recent collaborations include “Ancient Seed” with Wondagurl and Tiwa Savage, as well as a feature on Ed Sheeran’s “Don’t Look Down” alongside Hanumankind—further cementing her global footprint.

Her journey began with soundtrack contributions to films such as Madras and Irudhi Suttru, before achieving record-breaking success with “Rowdy Baby,” which became the most-viewed Tamil music video of all time. She later captivated global audiences with “Enjoy Enjaami,” further establishing her as a cultural force.

With “Vari Vari” and a growing list of international collaborations, the Colombo launch not only marks a new chapter in her career but also highlights Sri Lanka’s place in her artistic journey—bridging cultures and sounds on a global stage. 

- Pix by Upul Abayasekara