RAHUL VELLAL IN MLV FUNCTION- MUSIC ACADEMY-3/7/18

[CRama]

The child prodigy Master Rahul Vellal has already caught the attention and entered the hearts of millions of sangita rasikas through his devotional songs under the Vande Guru Parampara series of Kuldip Pai and other pieces posted in youtube. He is very fortunate to have his first public appearance in Chennai in the Music Academy today before the house full audience of rasikas and senior vidwans and vidushis. A great opening for the young vidwan. He was flanked by seasoned accompanists- B.Ananthakrishnan on the Violin and K.V.Prasad on the Mridangam. The slot was for 30 minutes and he rendered the following songs- the Purandaradasa devarnamas which can undoubtedly be attributed to MLV.

• Sharanu Sidhi Vinayaka- Sourashtram- (S)
• Chandrachooda- Ragamalika -(R)
• Baliyamanage- Ugabhoga- Maund
• Baro Krishnayya- Ragamalika.

The first thing that seized my attention was his imposing confidence at this young age of eleven. Walking alone and occupying the position in the huge dais all alone- without the escort of his parents or Guru. Distinguished guests and very senior vidwans were seated in the first row and he sang without the least trepidation. The song rendering was impeccable. Pronounciation was perfect- being his mother tongue- and sangatis exactly fell in their place. Sharanu sidhi vinayaka had some innovative sangatis too. Like a professional vidwan, there was a linear development of sangatis and each sangati rendered twice. The subtle gamakas and flashing brighas of MLV all came out with perfection. He should have put in real hard work to achieve this perfection. The kalpana swaras in Sourashtram had all the characteristic phrases woven admirably. He presented a string of brief alapanas preceding the Ragamalika Chandrachooda Siva sankara.

Wishing the young lad a bright future in music.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Rahul Vellal has arrived!

[ram1999]

Rahul - A brillian young talen endowed with a sweet voice and sings with abundant confidence on stage. There are quite a few recordings of his in YT which are lovely renditions of classical and semi classical genre.

I am not sure how many of you have seen the short clip on a raga alapana of Karaharapriya in FB. I think he sings along with Sid Sriram (?), a short clip towards the end Sid is awestruck with the way the way he takes over the alapana after a point to the finish ! Beautiful !!

[Sachi_R]

Rahul Vellal is a natural.
So far he has gone from strength to strength.

As one of his true admirers, I have this to say.

I do wish he concentrates more on learning and deepening his art than running around in the performing circus.

To hit the big stage, bow to rapturous crowds, wave his hands and pose for selfies....all that can wait for a little while.

We the listeners have to play a role in this, I think

[kvchellappa]

I think he is under proper guidance.
He has not taken his mind off studies like some who do home studies.
He is learning mrdangam and piano also.
I came to know of him only through this programme. My ignorance is phenomenal, still I feel that he is not splashing himself all over.
There have been prodigies like Ravikiran, Gayathri (vina) etc. who started early and settled snugly into the music.
His purity, classicism and confidence suggest that he is really ready for performance in a limited way as he is doing now.

[HarishankarK]

Congrats and best wishes to the young Vidwan.
After hearing is wonderfully spirited Nalinakanti on youtube I am sure that this concert would have been amazing. But for Baro Krishnayya the other two sungs are quite rare nowadays not to mention swaras for Saurashtram

[CRama]

Rahul -
I am not sure how many of you have seen the short clip on a raga alapana of Karaharapriya in FB. I think he sings along with Sid Sriram (?), a short clip towards the end Sid is awestruck with the way the way he takes over the alapana after a point to the finish ! Beautiful !!

Yes. Another instance of his vidwat and confidence.

[arvind.brahmakal]

Rahul is a brilliant prospect for the Carnatic music field. For his natural confidence on stage, he wears extraordinary maturity and humility on his young shoulders. He learns from Vid. Kalavathy Avadhoot - a fantastic teacher and a performer.

Our best wishes to this gifted artiste

[gardabha_gana]

Agree with sachi.

[HarishankarK]

Is he not a student of Kuldeep Pai?

[Sachi_R]

Sir,
Sri. Kuldeep M. Pai selects talented kids who are students of others. He trains them, grooms them, records them, brushes up the video/audio, and launches them.
AFAIK, Sri. Kuldeep M. Pai is a multifaceted genius and a king maker. None of the kids in his videos are his students.

[CRama]

Kudos to Kuldip Pai

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Sooryagayathri, who has been mentored by Kuldeep Pai, is an excellent Bhaavagaayika. Some of the songs Rahul has recorded with her are simply divine. Hope they get guided exposure.

At the 'MLV 90' event, Rahul behaved so well for his age - off and on stage. And seldom 'selfie driven'.

*****
Years ago during a December season at a lecdem of Sri TRS where Kuldip Pai was assisting the master, the Guru spoke highly of Pai. IIRC TRS described him as one 'difficult to catch up with'!

A very good singer himself, Pai is also adept in playing many instruments.