Rajhesh Vaidhya - Vainika

[knandago2001]

I heard a recording of the artist's concert held in New Delhi under the auspices of the ITC Sangeet Sammelan (2008). Something about the tonal quality of his instrument caught my attention - at times it sounded like an electric guitar (he even played chords!) and at other times he managed to create the effect of a mandolin. I mean, how exactly does he do it? Has it necessitated modification of the veena? I will be much obliged if someone points me in the right direction. Thanks,

[KarnatikLover]

Why the divine instrument needs to be messed with to sound like other instruments is beyond me.

[greatkrishna]

It must the effects processors and what not, that he uses. I have seen him many-a-time with a laptop on stage and his own mixer on stage as well. Each to their own I guess. KL I agree with your in that the instrument's purity is totally lost when this happens.

[vallaki]

Rajesh Vaidhya is a very modern day veena artist. At the same time , his skills are excellent.
The veena is a very difficult instrument to master, and the ease with which he plays is very commendable.
The one thing about his music, that is distinctive is his very infectious enthusiasm...For sure, he loves and tremendously enjoys playing the veena.
It is very easy to see the joy on his face when he plays it.

[cookmex]

It is very easy to see the joy on his face when he plays it.

I think this is very positive to motivate kids in playing this instrument.

[venkatakailasam]

The speed with which he plays is simply astounding .I wonder the amount of practice which has gone behind it !!

venkatakailasam

[venkatakailasam]

E'-SWARA-02-Rajesh Vaidya-Charukesi Ragam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlyalFItVg8

'E'-SWARA-003-Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru-Shri Rajesh Vaidya (Hamsdwani)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-CRs7NR ... re=related

venkatakailasam

[Sundara Rajan]

Speed alone doesn't count as good quality ! His vAthApi ganapthim is tolerable; but in his chArukEsi presentation I find neither melody nor chArukEsi. I do realise that tastes differ. This is my take. I am reminded of mahAkavi bArathi's words " nallathOr veeNai seithE, athai puzuthiyil erivathundO !"

[gardabha_gana]

I wish he calls it something other than veena that implies saraswathi veena. Maybe "Rajesh Veena" ?

[sruthi]

The comments above are germane to the topic of soukhyam (in General discussions section). As much as some of us find the veena playing of Rajesh not enjoyable, I bet someone out there enjoys it!

[bhavarasa]

Skilled not necessarily = Good.

Kunnakkudi was skilled. L Shankar is skilled. But can what they play(ed) be considered good Carnatic Music? I doubt it. Rajhesh Vaidhya has great control over the Veena but his playing lacks depth and is closer to light music than CM.