VADODARA, June 18: Till he joined college, Indian classical music held little significance for Rajesh G Kelkar beyond dabbling with a few popular compositions. But failure at the very outset of his bachelor of science studies at M S University in 1984 steered his life to totally uncharted waters, and strangely enough, fame and appreciation.Coincidentally, 1984, the year he plunged himself totally into music, was also the year he landed a job as a plant operator at IPCL. And in these 14 years, Kelkar has carved for himself an unique place in a scenario dominated by hereditary musicians. Recently, he became one of the handful of vocalists to be selected by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to spread the message of Indian classical music at Surinam, South America.
Naturally, getting there has not been a cakewalk for the 32-year-old. Now working as a lecturer with the Faculty of Performing Arts, MSU, Kelkar picked up a diploma in vocal music, as well as a bachelor's and a master's, all while employed at IPCL.
A B-High Grade vocalist of All India Radio, Kelkar has the distinction of performing on the same stage as Pt Bhatkhande and Pt Palsukar and in concerts organised by Swar Vilas, Sanskar Bharati and Gujarat Sangeet Natak Akademi.
A recipient of several awards, Kelkar is also the only scholar from the State to be chosen by the Centre to research Indian classical music.Says his proud father, ``No one in at least five generations of our family has taken up music as a career. It is entirely to Rajesh's credit that he is continuing his struggle on the path he has chosen.''
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
