Premiere: Gingger Shankar and Charlotte Qamaniq’s ‘Ever So Lonely/Eyes/Ocean’ Video Channels Ecological Angst

Shadow puppetry tells a stark and powerful story about environmental exploitation in artists Gingger Shankar and Charlotte Qamaniq’s “Ever So Lonely/Eyes/Ocean,” a reimagining of Indian-origin British artist Sheila Chandra (from the band Monsoon)’s song from 1981.

The music video elevates violinist, vocalist and composer Shankar (daughter of classical vocalist Viji Subramaniam) and Inuit artist Qamaniq’s Carnatic vocals-meets-throat-singing blend, offered up as an “ode to Mother Nature through the Inuit sea goddess, Sedna,” the artists say. Directed by shadow puppet artist Maisie O’Brien, there’s a powerful, mournful story told about the urgent need for ecological preservation in the face of overconsumption. Through O’Brien’s puppetry, the video for “Ever So Lonely/Eyes/Ocean” depicts overfishing, industrial expansion and urban development and how it all chokes a characterization of Sedna and Mother Nature.

Qamaniq spoke about the characterization of Sedna in a press release. She says, “She [Sedna] lives at the bottom of the ocean with extremely long hair. She was betrayed by her father and thrown into the sea to die. This act of betrayal turned her powerful and she became the mother of all beings in the sea. She is who we pay respects to, she controls the weather and monitors our behavior. If we displease her, she grows angry and will keep game animals in her hair to cause bad hunting. All she wanted was the love and protection of her father, and she continues to want love between all humans but has the wrath of the most powerful storm. I think of her when we disrespect the environment.”

While the song was originally released on Earth Day on April 22nd, this video adds another poignant dimension to Shankar and Qamaniq’s fusion of styles. The video was produced by women and indigenous-led storytelling collective Little Indian Girl Collective and “spotlights women who embody revolution through art,” a press release states. It adds, “The project brings together musicians and artists from diverse backgrounds, showcasing the power of artistic collaboration in fostering understanding and appreciation for different cultures.”

In a prior statement around the time of the launch of the song in April, Shankar said the collaboration was about “telling our own stories and preserving culture, traditions and wisdom.” The artists specifically chose Chandra’s song and paired it with the Inuit story of Sedna in order to “create a musical experience that transcends cultural boundaries.” Shankar hopes that the song “connects people on a deep, emotional level, and celebrates the beauty of nature while underscoring the urgency of preserving it for future generations.” This cover is released via Shankar’s label, Naughty Horses Records.

Watch the video for “Ever So Lonely/Eyes/Ocean” below.