Classical singing cruise

They will perform with drummers, dhantalists and other musicians aboard the First Lady Cruise Ship tomorrow at 2 pm at the Anchorage.

Chinpire O’ Reilly has taken over the task of promoting this type of traditional music from her late father Kunzru Sammy Chinpire.

“My father was of the firm belief that these songs are beautifully composed to provide enough entertainment at Hindu weddings and other functions of the sort,” said Chinpire O’Reilly.

She added that although there are so many new rhythms and electronic music, classical music remained popular for more than 100 years.

She noted that through the National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC) there are lots of young people performing this genre.

Ravi Jagroop, Sapna Seepaul and Sasha Bachan have won the NCIC Youth Champ with Indian classical singing.

Chinpire O’Reilly said this art form was being neglected with the coming of traditional and soca chutney.

“This is why we want the public to go offshore and enjoy a cool evening of songs and music from these top classical singers,” she said.

Among the cruise performers, Yankaran hails from a long-standing musical family. Nicknamed The Raja, he is an award-winning chutney musician.

He is the son of Indian classical musician, Isaac Yankaran and brother of chutney musicians the late Anand Yankaran and Sham Yankaran.

Yankaran began his career as a child singing alongside his father.

His grandfather came from Andhra Pradesh in India as an indentured labourer.

Rakesh’s father and grandfather were always into singing and young Rakesh loved to listen to them.

He played the harmonium in his teens but has since added the tabla, dholak, harmonium, dhantal and the tassa drum to his skill set.

His popular songs include Dadiyya Moday Lay Lay, Mousie, Dulahin Chale Sasural and Naroro Ray