"If you listen carefully, you can hear a new idea growing into form..."

Ishtar Bakhtali is a Rotterdam based vocalist and composer implementing Carnatic (South Indian classical), jazz, electronics and Latin influences in her narrative compositions.
Recent work often focuses on the relation/friction between humanity and nature. Lyrics inspired by travel, feminism and the social/climate theme are an important part of her compositions that range from introverted and atmospheric to rhythmic and playful.

‘Ishtar Bakhtali’s remarkable soundtrack, performed live, is a haunting mixture of tongue clicks, rich, melancholy singing and cleverly looped sound effects.’

(KA BRADLEY on exeuntmagazine.com about the performance during ‘Resolutions Festival’)

Born in The Netherlands, having mixed roots (Hindustan-Surinam & Dutch) Ishtar came into contact with two cultures and different kinds of music from a young age. Up to this date her music is influenced by the various genres played at home.
Lyrics as well as drawings are often the starting point for new compositions with nature and travel as important sources of inspiration. 

As vocalist and composer Ishtar likes to work cross-disciplinary (dance/visuals/film) and has composed for various dance theater pieces collaborating with several dancers. Curiosity about different music cultures and the wish to connect them in her own work has led her to India multiple times to research and study Carnatic (South-Indian classical) and Dhrupad (North Indian classical) music.

The work of Ishtar is an ongoing playful exploration into sound and an invitation for the listener to both connect inwardly as well as join into the musical universe she creates. With  her voice, small percussion, analog tape loops and loop station she weaves musical influences together into tiny worlds for the listener to travel in. 

Ishtar performed internationally at several stages such as: Roode Bioscoop, radio NPO4, De Doelen, Tanzwoche Dresden (DE), Crosscurrents, Resolutions festival (GB) and Festival de la Terre (FA). ‘Ishtar Quartet’ was nominated for the finals of the Erasmus Jazz Prijs 2022.

Ishtar is based in Rotterdam and part of Batavierhuis. At Codarts conservatory she researched integrating elements of Indian Classical music in her Jazz influenced compositions at the master program of the World Music department.