BAVINA SOOKDEO

Singer and musician Kaveesh Maharaj has been immersed in music since the tender age of two-and-a-half. Over the years, his music has taken him on a remarkable path, where he seamlessly blends Eastern and Western influences to create a unique sound that resonates with audiences both locally and internationally.

The talented performer, 36, is also an English literature teacher at Vishnu Boys’ Hindu College, Southern Main Road – a role that he believes enriches his artistic endeavours.

During his childhood, Maharaj was raised in satsang, a gathering where religious songs are sung collectively. As he matured, he ventured further into the realm of spirituality, consistently weaving together diverse cultures, religions, and beliefs. He found a unifying common ground in his music. “My music is my prayer and my music is my spirituality,” Maharaj told Newsday.

Maharaj’s musical production has been a fusion of training in Trinidad and India. In Trinidad, he received guidance from Shivanand Maharaj, a versatile violinist renowned for his expertise in Indian classical music. His mentorship also extended to Dr Ruby Malik, further enriching his musical foundation.

At 27, Maharaj embarked on a pivotal journey to India where he enrolled at the AR Rahman Foundation’s music school, known as the KM Music Conservatory in Chennai. The prestigious school, established in 2008, is a pioneering institution that offers world-class higher education in music and film. Maharaj made history as the first West Indian artiste to be trained there, he said.

In 2015, Kaveesh The Band was born from Maharaj's aspiration to assemble a collective of musicians who could harmoniously blend Eastern and Western musical elements. His vision was to create a bridge connecting Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural diversity.

[caption id="attachment_1044479" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Kaveesh Maharaj, left, and renowned Indian singer, musician, and actor Anup Jalota with whom did a collaboration titled Prabhu Morey.- Photo courtesy Kaveesh The Band[/caption]

Based in Couva, the band's music is a fusion of spiritual, Indo-fusion, and world contemporary music. Members include Rajesh Kalloo on bass, Rajiv Ramlogan – keyboards, Shiva Manick – tabla and percussion, Narendra Maharaj – bansuri (Indian flute) and saxophone, Stephen Yen Chong – drums, Ravi Maharaj, who has played and produced music for the band since its inception, and Randy Subrath, head sound engineer.

Recently, the band accomplished a significant milestone by collaborating with the Bollywood playback legend, Alka Yagnik, on an original song titled Tu Mujhe Mile (translated as When You Met Me).

Maharaj said, “The video was shot at iconic locations in Trinidad (such as (NAPA, Mille Fleurs and the Botanical Gardens) to show our country’s beauty, and co-stars the mesmerising Dianne Deonarine from TT.”

The song was unveiled in London in April, through JA Productions from the UK.

[caption id="attachment_1044478" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Kaveesh Maharaj, left, wit

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