Singer Varshini Muralikrishnan Takes Center Court At Los Angeles Lakers Game

India-West News Desk

LOS ANGELES, CA – Singer-songwriter Varshini Muralikrishnan, known as The Musical Doc, sang the US national anthem at a Los Angeles Lakers game at Crypto.com Arena on October 16.

In an Instagram post, Muralikrishnan said she had made a promise to herself as a child that she would not attend a Lakers game until she was the one singing at it.

She said the moment meant more than fulfilling a personal dream, dedicating it to immigrants who came to the United States with hope and to their children who continue to imagine new possibilities.

Based in Southern California, Muralikrishnan pursued music full-time after studying medicine. Her transition from medicine to music marked a turning point in her career, allowing her to focus on singing, songwriting and creative work.

Raised in a musical household – her parents are the well known musicians Murali and Rose – Varshini began learning music at the age of two and trained in Carnatic music, while also exploring Western music. She sang in a gospel church choir, played instruments including piano, French horn and veena, and performed with family members.

She later moved to Chennai to pursue music, singing for films and performing at concerts and shows with her brother, saxophonist Basanth Muralikrishnan, under The BhaVa Network. After returning to Los Angeles, she performed at the United Nations headquarters in New York and worked on a production titled ‘Bollywood Meets Cirque Du Soleil,’ where she said she was the only female musical director.

Muralikrishnan launched The Musical Doc brand in 2018 and released her debut single, ‘Strangers,’ that year. Her work combines music and creative expression, drawing on her Indian classical training and other musical influences.

Reflecting on the Lakers performance, she wrote: “My first ever Laker game, and your girl was on the court singing.” She said the achievement belonged to everyone who had supported her along the way.