Zaraya — “Hvareya”: a debut born of the sun

Tajik DJ and producer Zarina, who performs as Zaraya, is releasing her debut track on Basanta Music, with artwork by Mizrob Kholov, an Honoured Artist of Tajikistan, on its cover

“Hvareya is music born of the sun, filled with its light, warmth and energy, awakening our desire to live, love and dance,” says Zaraya of her debut release. “Hvareya” comes out on October 10 via Basanta Music.

The title refers to the ancient Avestan “hvar”, meaning sun and light, a theme that runs through the entire release, from its hypnotic, warm sound to its cover. An existing work by Mizrob Kholov, an Honoured Artist of Tajikistan, was chosen for the artwork. It later emerged that the painting, the music and the artist’s promotional video, all created independently, were telling the same story.

We spoke to Zarina about the journey to her first release, the sun, and why sometimes it is worth stopping waiting for the right moment.

Why melodic techno, and why make your debut now?

I chose melodic techno for a very complicated, almost mystical reason: I simply love this sound madly. I had been working towards my first release for a long time, but apparently the Universe had its own schedule and had no intention of sharing it with me. Then, at the right moment, the right people appeared, and ideas, energy and circumstances aligned. Everything came together so naturally that all I had to do was stop waiting for the right moment and admit that it had already arrived.

How did “Hvareya” come to life?

From the idea of the sun — the kind that can warm you, dazzle you and remind you that you are still alive, all at once. I wanted to tell that story through music, and an international production team helped my idea take shape, turning a feeling into an actual track. I love bringing creative people together: you never know what will happen when different personalities, cultures and a little creative madness meet in one place. Perhaps that is my favourite thing about “Hvareya”: the moment when everything suddenly stops being separate pieces and becomes one story.

How did Mizrob Kholov’s work end up on the cover?

Our family has a special connection with Mizrob: we have long loved his work for the incredible sense of warmth and comfort it creates. “Hvareya” had already been written when we chose the painting, and only afterwards did Mizrob tell me its story: it depicts a girl who is a dreamer, almost an Alice in Wonderland, with rays of sunlight passing through the space of the painting. The most surprising thing is that by then I had already shot a promotional video in which I became a kind of Alice Through the Looking-Glass myself, even though I did not yet know the painting’s story. There was something a little mystical about it: the music, painting and video had independently told the same story.

What does creativity mean to you, and what is it like being a woman DJ and producer?

For me, creativity is a way of opening a door into my inner world, although even I do not always know what is going on in there. Sometimes ideas arrive completely out of the blue and manage to surprise me before anyone else. I enjoy being a woman DJ and producer: it opens up new paths, connections and adventures. As for where it will all lead next — perhaps that is the most interesting part.

Zaraya — “Hvareya” (Basanta Music) comes out on October 10 on all streaming platforms.