My journey in music

Music has always been my greatest source of inspiration and my strength in any circumstance. It has given me an identity and the confidence to express myself. Sharing my experiences with utmost gratitude to all who encouraged me in this journey.

My first association with music goes way back to when I was in the third grade. I had the opportunity to learn to play the guitar under Master Thangadurai Samuel, a western classical guitar virtuoso in India, with decades of experience and many laurels and achievements to his name. Master Samuel founded the Madras Guitar Society in 1988 which became the Madras Guitar String Ensemble in 1991. The Calcutta Classical Guitar Society honoured him with a lifetime achievement award in 2010. He is the first classical guitarist to complete the practical part of the Trinity College of Music examination from Madras. My foundation in guitar and knowledge in music theory was strengthened by Master Samuel's valuable lessons. Seeing good potential, he tutored me in the western classical style and over the years, I've grown to love this style of guitar playing dearly.

After many years of being trained by Master Samuel, he moved out of Chennai and so he recommended that I continue my training under Master Robinson Joseph. Master Robin was one of Samuel sir's first students and has more than 2 decades of experience as a western classical guitarist. He is also a long time member of the Madras Guitar String Ensemble and presently, the Madras Guitar Quintet. The change in my mentors was not difficult to adapt to as Master Robin was as good a mentor as Master Samuel and highly knowledgeable in guitar. He aspires for perfection in whatever he does and I admire this trait of his.

The Madras Guitar Quintet. My mentors Thangadurai Samuel (left) & Robinson Joseph(centre)

Through the years of being mentored in western classical music, I've taken part in many musical fora; one of them being the Madras Musical Association choir (MMA). Getting to sing along with the oldest and most celebrated western classical choral association in the country was such an honour. The choir is currently led by the legendary choir director, Mr. Augustine Paul.

On the occasion of the 125th year celebration of the MMA, an in-house band was formed and I was fortunate to be the guitarist of the band alongside Augustine uncle, bass guitar prodigy Lionel Satya and the late Immanuel Thiyakeswaran, an excellent and renowned pianist. In 2019, the band performed along with the choir during their visit to Singapore. These were memorable events that I will cherish forever.

The MMA Band

The MMA choir and band at Singapore

But my love and appreciation for music doesn't end with western classical. I enjoy exploring multiple styles of music and their cultural significance. I grew up singing with The Celestial Voices, the choir of The St. Peter's and St. Paul's Orthodox Church in Chennai, where I am a church member. The Orthodox Syrian faith introduced me to a very unique style of worship involving musical chants and the versatile choir combines elements of traditional Carnatic music mixed with East oriental styled music, in multiple Indian languages.

I nurtured my love for Rock and Pop music through my experiences singing with the Mellow Circle choir in Chennai for their annual fundraiser concert, 'The Magic of Music'. Rock Band's were the highlight of the talent shows in school, and it was tradition to start a band if you had a bunch of creative musicians at school. 'Dcatalyst', 'BeatKraft' and 'Rocketscience' were some of the bands I was a part of through my school and college. 'BeatKraft' won the best western band award at Festeve (WCC) and Vibrance (VIT Chennai). Rocketscience performed at Saarang (IIT Madras) and at several events in the city. During the pandemic, we released a few virtual band covers to keep our spirits high and to stay connected.

I've completed my Grade 7 in Classical Guitar with Distinction from the Trinity College London. Moving forward, music will always be a part of me and I will use every opportunity to promote the positive impact that it has on one's physical and mental well-being.

Links to selected events

MMA's 125th year celebration concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a0Dn-Mb5tA

Celestial Voices Silver Jubilee 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqYOqnlukLU

Rocketscience - 'Nothing is Impossible': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng9ibh23h1E

'Wicked Games' cover with friends: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bPMQfPytm4

BeatKraft at Festeve 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3L8GhxVXEM

Rocketscience - Saarang 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96JPhuE885I

Duet with renowned violinist Shyam Ravishankar: https://youtu.be/G7b0Uu95dro?t=1211