(Rahul
R. Vellal - 11 years old)
International Indian Classical Singer Comes
to Durban
Rahul Vellal and Smt Kamani Moodley
Master, 11 years old, son
The origins of Indian music are traced to
prehistoric antiquity. Concert music in
South India is called Karnataka Sangitam (“Karnatic or Carnatic music” in
English). Its history gains clear contours from the renaissance period which,
in South India, had its centre in the Vijayanagar empire (1336-1565).
The role of music in South Indian Society,
Western categorizations such as “classical” and “folk” music are not helpful in
the context of Indian music because traditional and modern, codified (marga)
and regional (deshi) styles have often been blended to enhance its emotional
appeal.
Religion is an integral part of daily life
in Indian Music and therefore most Indian music is also regarded as being
sacred. For most Indians, music is a means of distraction from daily worries, a
form of entertainment among others. Although the mass media (cinema, radio,
television) have changed popular tastes and introduced many foreign and modern
elements, Classical Carnatic music has remained unmistakably South Indian in
character and temperament. The idea of an individual and permanent artistic
“work” is still not very important in India. Perhaps it does not relate to
prevailing philosophies about the nature of the universe and man’s role in the
scheme of evolution. More important, therefore, than the reproduction of a
finished work is the understanding of stylistic principles underlying
traditional music.
This May, The Multicultural Academy of
South Africa under the leadership of Guru Srimathi Kamani Moodley in
association with the Swami Vivekanand Cultural Centre, The Consulate General of
India, Durban for the pleasure of the Indian Music Community a series of
concerts to the City of Durban.
Headlining the concerts is Master Rahul R
Vellal, 11 years old, son of Sri Ravishankar Vellal and Srimathi Hema.Suryanarayan. He started learning
Carnatic Classical Music at the age of 4 years and is currently learning from
Vidwan Kalavathy Avadhoot (Vocals) and Mridhingam (Indian Drum) from Vidwan
Kulur U Jayachandra Rao, also the Western Piano at Trinity School of Music,
London with Sri. Abhishek.N.
Rahul Vellal is studying sixth standard in
Carmel School. Along with his yearning for music, Rahul also excels in his
academics. He has also been awarded “Bharata Ratna M S SubbuLakshmi Fellowship
2018” for Carnatic Vocal, presented by the Honourable Vice President of India,
Shri Venkaiah Naidu in September 2018. He is also the recipient of CCRT
National Level Scholarship for Carnatic Music Vocal, from Central Government of
India and he has sung in seven musical videos, Paluke Anagrammatic, Vaishnav
Janato, Pibare Rama Rasam, Brahmam Okate, Shivashtakam, Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
& Ram Govind Hare for the renowned music director, Kuldeep M Pai from
Chennai, which have been released worldwide on YouTube, which have collectively
crossed over 2.2 CRORE views to date.
Violinist -Srimathi Kalyani Shankar’s
passion for the violin started in the days when she was an avid listener of
Lalgudi Jayaraman. Observing her keen interest, she was put under the tutelage
of Sangeethabhushanam Shri T.S.Krishnaswamy of Sri Shanmukananda Fine Arts and
Sangeetha Sabha. She has accompanied top ranking artistes like Shri
Balamuralikrishna, Smt.Mani Krishnaswamy, Chitraveena Ravi Kiran, Bombay
Sisters, Sudha Raghunathan, Bombay Jayashri, and Nityashree Mahadevan. Both a
vocalist and violinist, she effortlessly brings the Gayaki style in her violin
playing and is popular for her anusaranai technique. Mridhingam – Sri Sivanthan Pillay (SA) Student of Late Sri
Pregalathan Sinagram & Thabla - Sri
Kesavan Sashan Pillay – Student of Sivanathan Pillay The Multicultural Academy
of South Africa registered as a non-profit institution for the promotion of
arts, culture and music, nurturing young talent.
On May 17 at 18h30, a Devotional concert
with semi classical music will be hosted at the Umgeni Road Temple in Durban. For
tickets contact Kamani Moodley on 074 860 4683 or Dev on 074 860 4682. A Free
music workshop will be held at the Mind Body Spirit Wellbeing Festival on May
18 at 10h30 at Wave Park Gateway for all children to interact with the child
prodigy Rahul Velall.
The Andhra Maha Sabha of South Africa will
present the annual Thyagaraja Aradhana rendition of Swami Thyagaraja Kirtanas -
Swami Thyagaraja Music festival, at the Kendra Hall in Durban, on May 19 at
14h00 with a free concert with the return from India with South African Dancer
Niveshan Munsamy on a solo Kuchipudi Dance performance, Narthana Ullasa.
For more information on the concerts
contact Kamini Moodley on 074 860 4683.
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