Rajeev Mukundan – Podcast
United States-based Carnatic violinist Sri. Rajeev Mukundan began violin lessons from Sri. N Govindarajan and has been under the guidance of Sangita Kalanidhi Kum. A Kanyakumari for over a decade now. An A Graded artiste from All India Radio, Sri. Rajeev has traveled extensively on concerts, performed with his Guru in several duets and accompanied a gamut of highly regarded artistes. He has also participated in many unique collaborations. He plays the lilting ‘Krishna nee baeganae baaro’ at the end of his talk.
This podcast is part of the Quarantunes series, featuring Indian Classical Musicians, recorded during the worldwide shutdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Released one by one, the full series is at https://lakshmianand.com
Sri. Rajeev is employed as a Game Engineer in Pittsburgh. He has a Masters Degree in Entertainment Technology from Carnegie Mellon University. He is an enthusiastic cartoonist and the following is an example of his work – a digital ‘self-portrait’, so to speak.
Rajiv Mukhundan , the Entertainment technology graduate, the Video games Engineer, and a carnatic violinist , is truly an entertaining personality. We find too many youngsters today holding a Engineering degree/ technology graduate, takes to performing arts as their profession. Their spouses are also from the chosen field the arts. Very proud husband of a classical vocalist. COvid19 authorizes Work from Home, for more months than normally allowed for a month. Many calls it as New Normal and they are right. Mukundan’s daily routine is in no way different to other musicians in the field. Practicing, reading, listening, watching movies, and controlled eating, always conscious of the caloric value. No need to gobble anything. Leisurely enjoying the food. But at times, however strong physically and mentally a person is, the impact of the Virus on peoples lives, on Nations, makes us uncomfortable. We are not sure, how easily or how hardly we can get rid of the pandemic. Covid 19 has literally reduced the distances between Countries and people, and every one want to be at a handshaking distance after COVID19. But till such time be at your home, maintain the social distance. As the Environment looks clean and the air less polluted, we will also get rid of our pollutions built up inside like ego, selfishness, and show openly our concern for the society, and always be a part of the society. Yes. ” Krishna nee beganae “, the most popular song heard from the Violin is helping to calm the minds.
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“Quarantunes” is a novel concept. Instead of following the traditional question and answer
( Q & A ) format, this podcast series lets the musicians speak for themselves. In a Q&A format, the interviewee has to stick to the interviewer’s questions. The scope for expanding their views and digressing from the topics to buttress a viewpoint is limited.
Letting the musicians speak impromptu allows for a free flow of thoughts unconstrained by the specificity of questions.
I know Rajeev and Krithika and have seen their performances in close quarters. They complement each other very well. What impressed me is their attitude towards their vocation. They do not consider themselves merely as accomplished artists but as learner-musicians. Learning, unlearning, and relearning is how artists gain knowledge and hone their skill. With their high commitment to their craft, Rajeev and Krithika will scale lofty heights of musical excellence.
concept Quarantunes is novel.there is so much that we come to know from young Rajeev how the lockdown sets a quality time.
Each of us have to learn & really practice how even more empathetic & time-money values. Wishes to Rajeev mukundan
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Hi Lakshmi Anand , nice to hear this. Rajeev Mukundan mamma is my classmate from st. Johns.Enjoyed this, thanks for sharing.
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