What are your biggest
influences of music (genres,
artists) and the earliest
influence in your childhood?
The usually royal sounding Veena has been the first
favourite of every Carnatic music lover since ages.
Its magical sound, grandeur and the design enhanced
the majestic features of Carnatic music and brought
out the intricacies brilliantly. However, it was
termed to be an extremely classical instrument until
Rajhesh Vaidhya came up to the scene. He gave
the instrument a wonderful versatile touch with his
passionate playing of various genres ranging from the
homeground Carnatic music to international genres
like Jazz, Fusion, Film Songs and what not? He
has earned an exclusive set of fans for his flawless
way of blending different genres in his music. His
energy levels in every live concert is so high that it
brings an infectious ambience in the place! He learnt
early veena playing from Jayalakshmi and then from
Smt. Rama Nambinarayanan and later learnt from
the veena legend Shri Chitti Babu as well. This
masterful player also released many fusion albums and
also collaborated with the brilliantly talented artist
Elton John. He was rightfully awarded the prestigious
Kalaimamani award in the year 2010 for his
unfaltering contribution to the field of veena playing.
One of the greatest aspects of Rajesh Vaidhya
is the way he balances out Carnatic music
performances and also collaborating with the big
names in the film industry ranging from Maestro
Ilaiyaraaja, A.R.Rahman, Vidyasagar and many
more. His cover versions of various popular film
songs gained some amazing attention in the social
media as well. Rajhesh Vaidhya has undoubtedly
set a standard in veena playing and also built a
bridge between generations with his innovative
style of playing. He is also responsible for bringing
out a newfound glamour and modernity to the
instrument by constantly experimenting, exploring
new sound techniques- without compromising
on the strong foundation of Classical music.
My first influence was my dad
who was a Mridangam and
Ghattam vidhwan and then
my father wanted me to learn
from Dr. Chitti Babu sir. It was
like a gurukulam with him for
three years and recently I have
started learning from Dr. L
Shankar and all top musicians
like Balamurali sir, and
Michael Jackson are some of
my influences. I loved listening
to various genres of music and
appreciate the universality
which they
show up.
dimensions which
they bring about in an
instrument playing.
What is your opinion on
the staunchness of Carnatic
musicians who believe in not
tampering with the sanctity
of it without inducing fusion
elements?
It depends on every musician
on how they intend to produce
the music. Every musician
strives to bring the best of
music to the audience but the
paths they chose are different.
The individual preference of
each artist to bring about their
perception on music should be
encouraged.
When did you decide that Veena
was your instrument? Your recent favourite film music
composer and why?
I did not have a choice in this
although my interests tilted
towards the Mridangam. My
mother insisted that Veena
should be my instruments and
here I am ! It’s not only recent but my
all-time favourite composers
are Raja sir, Rahman sir,
MSV and of course my uncle.
Their music is alive even
now. Amongst the newer ones
I like Anirudh a lot for his
innovative approach towards
music and fusing fresh genres
into film music.
Usually, instrumentalists have
lot of challenges to express the
lyrical beauty of a composition.
What is your approach to bring
the best of expression in your
renditions?
I feel lyrics are of prime
importance to bring about the
beauty of a composition for the
audience. That is the reason
why I give lot of value to it and
try to learn the lyrics before
venturing into the learning.
Whether it is a keerthana,
song or a devotional song,
expressing through lyrics is of
prime importance.
What is the biggest aspect
of Carnatic fusion you enjoy
the most?
Normally, I never differentiate
between any forms of music
whether it is Carnatic,
Hindustani or Jazz. All types
of music is the same to me
because every form of music
is based on sapta swaras- the
seven notes!
What other instruments do
you enjoy listening- apart
from Veena?
I love listening to the Piano and
Violin and cherish the different
What is the song/composition
which you never get tired of
playing (in performances or in
recordings)?
The one song people are not
tired of listening from me is
Thendral Vanthu Theendum
Pothu from the movie
Avataram. The song itself
has a great feel and explores
various shades of emotions.
The one I love to play the most
is Chandrasekara in Sindhu
Bhairavi ragam and this song
is what I end every concert of
mine with.
Could you name some
musicians you would love to
collaborate with?
There are many musicians I’d
like to work with. A couple
of them would be Shankar
Mahadevan and also Victor
Wooten for their versatile
approach and fantastic range.
How important do you think is
Digital space for musicians to
reach out to their fans?
Everyone in the industry
need it be it accomplished or
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