Rakesh Yankaran

Rakesh Yankaran
Rakesh Yankaran performing at the Chutney Soca Monarch.
Background information
Also known as The Raja
Born Trinidad and Tobago
Genres Chutney, Chutney parang, Indian classical music, Indian folk music, Bhajan, and Kirtan
Occupation(s) Singer
Instruments Harmonium, Dholak, Tabla, Dhantal
Years active 1974-present
Labels Praimsingh Productions
Associated acts Rasika Dindial, Ravi B, Raymond Ramnarine

Rakesh Yankaran, nicknamed The Raja[1] is an award-winning Indo-Trinidadian musician.[2] He is the son of the late Indian classical musician, Isaac Yankarran and brother of chutney musicians the late Anand Yankarran and Sharm Yankarran.[3] His grandfather came from the present-day state of Andhra Pradesh in India to Trinidad and Tobago during the indentured labour times. He is a self-taught musician. As a child, young Rakesh loved to listen to his father sing. As a teen he started to play music himself. Today he is a professional chutney artist. He can play the Indian instruments tabla, dholak, harmunium, dhantal, and the tassa drum.

Yankaran began his career in 1974, but first gained national acclaim in 1991 with Dadiyya Moday Lay Lay. Other hits include Mousie, Dulahin Chale Sasural and Naroro Ray'((of which he collaborated with Bisham Singh))'. He won the National Chutney Monarch competition in 1996 and 1997[1] and 2008,[4] and the National Traditional Chutney Monarch in 2008.[1] His family is of Telugu Indian descent.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Boodan, Adrian (10 December 2008). "Yankaran reigns as Chutney king". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  2. ↑ Jankie, Ariti. "Yankaran crowned champ of champs". Trinidad and Tobago Express. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  3. ↑ Persad, Seeta. "NCIC promotes authentic classical singing". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  4. ↑ Boodan, Adrian (5 February 2009). "Massive launch under the samaan tree". Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  5. ↑ http://www.newsday.co.tt/specialreport/0,38301.html


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