Shayan

LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE

Unprecedented Collaboration of 150 Legendary Musicians

a breathtaking ensemble

Experience the sheer magnitude of Reflection | प्यार तू था, ना भी था by Shayan, the largest audio production of a Hindi song ever featuring 150 legendary international musicians, some of whom include The London Philharmonic and London Telefilmonic Orchestras, Guthrie Govan, Ralph Salmins, Luis Jardim, Shan Chana, Levine Andrade, Mike-Ross Trevor, Tim Young, Mazen Murad, Ian Laws, Richard Cottle and many many more…

BACK TO BASICS

Recorded & Mixed Entirely on GP9 Analogue Tape

embrace the imperfections that make something perfect

Running 7 min and 47 seconds long, the Hindi magnum opus REFLECTION | प्यार तू था, ना भी था by Shayan defies the traditional pop song format of modern times and showcases one of the largest musical canvases ever created for a Hindi song, entirely recorded, mixed and mastered on GP9 analogue tape.

Keeping it real, keeping it raw, with all the tape noise, the cracks, the pops, the imperfections; with no vocal tuning and no digital gimmicky whatsoever, REFLECTION | प्यार तू था, ना भी था is creative expression through unadulterated 100% performance. It is a song that ignites all the auditory senses, transporting you on first listen to another world. It features one of the most iconic opening sequences for any Hindi song, and a cinematic farewell outro honouring some of the greatest musicians featured on some of the greatest records. With a performance that spans 4 octaves, Shayan's engulfing vocals coupled within him playing grand piano, breathe fire into the epic composition that masterfully builds layer-upon-layer from start to finish. 

reflection

Two Faces.
One Heart.

it's all about the music

“The music we listen to is personal. It defines us. You deeply understand someone through the music they love. For it is a two-faced reflection of a single heart’s innermost desires.” - Shayan

SHAYAN IN reflection

WHY Am I Here?

the exchange of similar energies leads to deep connection

"I am here to honour my Mum in music for the ability she left me. There is a deep celestial like connection that I have with music when I sit at the piano and write/play a song of mine. It is this positive wave of energy for which project REFLECTION was created as a vehicle for others to relate to music on an incredibly personal level and reflect inwardly on the same." - Shayan

BIRTH

“Never be afraid to be different; never be afraid to not fit in” - Mum

turn every negative into a positive. never back down. 

Shayan Italia is born to a Zoroastrian Parsi family in Hyderabad city, India. When he was just a boy, Shayan lost both his Mum and Dad within a year of each other; his Mum to Multiple Myeloma (Cancer of The Bone Marrow) and his Dad to Multiple Sclerosis. 

Prior to passing away, his Mum requested his Dad buy him a piano. She never lived to see him play it. Shayan wrote his first song on that piano and has been prolifically writing since. REFLECTION | प्यार तू था, ना भी था marks his debut song release.

PEDIGREE

"Those who start later, tend to achieve greater" - Shayan

never forget where you came from. it is what defines you. 

Shayan went to the Doon School to study, following the footsteps of his father, brother and uncle. He has a Bachelor's Degree in International Trade Practices, a Bachelor's Degree in Sound Engineering and Music Production and a Master's Degree in Business Management.

Shayan comes from a Zoroastrian Parsi family that is extremely pro-India in embracing its diversity, culture and growth. Shayan's Mum was an avid reader, averaging almost a book a day in her life. Her philosophy was "the more your read, the more you grow. It's that simple." His father was a graduate of PhD in Engineering from the University of Birmingham. His elder brother Dynshaw Italia is a two-time global award-winning Chartered Accountant. His uncle Lieutenant General Faridoon 'Billy' Billimoria was a four-star general officer rank of the Indian Army. His first cousin is Lord Karan Bilimoria. His uncle Ratan J Batliboi is a revered architect. 

GROWTH

“If someone tells you something cannot be done; it's just their way of saying they cannot do it” - Shayan

you have to enjoy the rain, if you want to see the rainbow. 

"I count myself as one of all the misfits, the outcasts, the rebels, the weird ones, the ones who feel like they don't belong. I have never been accepted as one of any, or one of many.

I have struggled and strived to fight off my inner demons; those that have always shown and proved me to be different, awkward, indisciplined, childish, trivial, troublesome and frivolous. And I have come to love myself in the skin I am. For I stand musically, lyrically, emotionally and socially apart. I have learned and understood myself the hard way, that if everyone is flowing downstream, I have to swim upstream.

And it all stems from what she told me: never be afraid to be different; never be afraid to not fit in; you are my son and you are who you are for a reason."

- Shayan