“Messengers of Peace” say it with music

Rock on Stars head to Auckland

“There is so much hatred in the world that one wonders where humanity is heading; Racial discrimination such as the one that we saw in Australia, clashes between communities and intolerance towards other faiths and religions are all getting the better of us. We hope we can bring everyone together through music.”

That was the concern expressed by Rahul Krushna Vaidya, one of the four singing stars that will appear along with local artistes at a one-night concert to be held in Auckland next week.

The event, called, Rock On, will be held at the ASB Theatre on Queen Street on October 9, to provide entertainment and draw people towards the larger issues that Rahul told us during a telephonic interview from India last week.

If you had thought that we were talking to an aged philosopher or a politician, you are wrong. Rahul is 22 years old (he celebrated his birthday on September 23) and a busy singer, with a number of film assignments and concerts crowding his diary. Vivacious and outgoing by nature, he hit the small and big screens modelling for a number of international brands (Britannia and Coca Cola for instance), as a child.

In 2004, he came to limelight when he was selected as a finalist at the India Idol contest but held the attention of music directors and producers when he walked away with the top honour at Jo Jita Wohi Superstar finals in July last year.

“I am excited about performing in New Zealand,” he said.

Tranquillity returns

Tranquillity had another name until we lost him two years ago to the Australians and again a year ago to matrimony; but despite being possessed by both, Shriram Iyer is still a Messenger of Peace, seeking goodwill and understanding with his disarming smile and captivating voice.

“I am excited to return to New Zealand, albeit briefly to perform at the Rock On Show. I hope to meet my old friends and colleagues,” he said when we called him at his home in Melbourne.

Following his degree in MBA, which took him to the Melbourne Business School and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Shriram is said to be rocking away as a Management Consultant across the Tasman. But he has always found time to give vent to his musical talents as a youngster at school, at the university (he appeared in ten concerts during his six-month stint in the US) and now as a corporate executive.

He believes in a judicious combination of work and music.

“Creativity without commercial acumen is like an unseen masterpiece by an unknown painter,” he said.

Fatal errors

“Upcoming artistes run the risk of being either thrown into oblivion even before they begin their career or stagnating at an early stage. For many singers, this can be fatal,” Vineet Singh said, as he opened his conversation with us from Mumbai.

The 20-year-old singing sensation has performed with all music directors, except the (Oscar and Grammy) award winning A R Rahman.

“My objective will be fulfilled the day I sing a song under his musical ingenuity. But otherwise I want to perform only for myself,” he said.

As well as appearing in a number of television based competition, Vineet has a number of films (Rocky, the Rebel, Dil Diya Hai, Good Boy Bad Boy, Dasavatharam, to mention a few). Music director Himesh Reshammiya said Vineet will always be his favourite.

“I am looking forward to performing in New Zealand, especially with my best friend Rahul,” he said.

Mother’s gift

It will be fun, excitement and good showmanship in Auckland, says Himani Kapoor, who has achieved celebrity status even before she reached 21 years of age (recently).

“My parents encouraged me to sing and it was their support and patronage that has seen me reach this stage in my musical career,” she said, moments after her father spoke to us about her prowess.

Himani was a finalist at the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge in 2005. Music came naturally as her mother is a singer by her own right. She is known for her unique voice and singing style.

Organising a show with four artistes of fame could be an arduous task but for Aashirwad Foods Limited Managing Director Vishal Rikhi, show business his forte, with invaluable experience in the marketing, advertising and television fields in India.

“I am sure Rock On will be a show to remember,” he said.

Besides the four overseas singers, local artistes Arpita Chanda, Ashish Ramakrishnan, Avish Sharma and Rachit Bhatia will also perform at the show.