Streams of admirers form a queue, each eagerly awaiting their moment with the young sensation, singer Rahul Vellal, after his enthralling performance at Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha. This prodigious talent rose to stardom following his heartfelt renditions showcased on Kuldeep Pai’s YouTube series ‘Vande guru paramparaam’. Delighted by the reception, Rahul, who initiated his musical voyage at the tender age of four under the tutelage of Suchetan Rangaswamy and later Kalavathy Avadhoot, continues his tutelage under Ranjani and Gayatri. “I feel very happy for all the love and support,” he remarks.
Sooryagayathri, another young luminary, garnered widespread acclaim after her viral performance of the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ under the guidance of Kuldeep Pai. “I started getting opportunities to perform in temples. The overwhelming response after every kutcheri motivates me,” she says, crediting her musical foundation to her father, P.V. Anil Kumar, an A-grade mridangam artist at All India Radio in Calicut.
The influence of a musical heritage is incontrovertible for these youths. Ten-year-old Soorya Narayanan, whose purity of pitch was noted even at two, bathed in the harmonious environment created by his family. Neyveli Santhanagopalan now instructs him following his father’s mentorship, and the young talent has already earned the Shanmukhananda Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi fellowship. He shares, “I was always surrounded by music since my father would sing, my mother would play the veena, and my brother, the mridangam.”
Equally prodigious, 15-year-old violinist Sivateja Mallajosyula displayed an extraordinary early talent for recognizing ragas, a trait no doubt nurtured by his vocalist and violinist parents, Pavani and Srikanth Mallajosyula. His grand-aunt, the eminent violinist A. Kanyakumari, discerned his musical inclination, guiding him towards formal training at age five under mridangam virtuoso Patri Satish Kumar. Sivateja reveals, “My parents also started teaching me the violin when I showed interest in it.”
However, familial bonds do not soften the rigorous training that these young artists undergo. Sivateja underscores this by recounting how his guru, despite their familial relationship, waited years before allowing him to perform at a prestigious event, assessing his readiness purely on merit.
Another rising star, veena player Charulatha Chandrasekhar, granddaughter of veena virtuoso R.S. Jayalakshmi, is ready to brave the inevitable comparisons. “While others came to paati only twice a week for classes, I had a stricter practice regimen. I did not enjoy this as a child, but now I see the benefit,” she admits with maturity beyond her years.
While some of these young musicians were introduced to music through their hereditary bonds, others, like mandolin artist Vishwas Hari, found their calling independently, with supportive parents facilitating their journey. His musical path took a turn when he transitioned from keyboard to mandolin, inspired by his mother’s admiration for Mandolin Srinivas and after encountering the mentorship of gottuvadyam exponent Allam Durgaprasad.
Balancing academic pursuits with artistic dedication is a tightrope walk these youngsters navigate with precision. Rahul attributes his success in being the school topper in Class X exams to a fine equilibrium he’s achieved between studies and music. Soorya Narayanan, who has a staggering 40 concerts to his name in 2023, harmonizes schoolwork with concert engagements, often studying in transits and relying on his school’s support.
Despite their packed schedules, these regular children find snippets of time to cherish typical childhood pleasures when not touring; yet, there’s a shared sentiment of missing out on family vacations and such.
Heightened by the power of social media, these nascent stars shine not only on the traditional stage but also command a vibrant online presence. Handling their social media accounts by themselves or through assistance, they gain a substantial following, proof of their popularity even beyond the silken curtains of Carnatic music halls.
The virtual sphere offers unparalleled reach, but for these artists like Spoorthi Rao, a magnificent performer and winner of the Airtel Super Singer (Junior) and a commendable academic achiever, the visceral allure of live performances takes precedence over their digital avatars. “Nothing can replace the timeless appeal of personal interaction in arts,” she asserts.
Indeed, these young virtuosos are carving out their place in the annals of Carnatic music, bridging traditional roots and modern platforms with remarkable finesse and unwavering passion.
