BAVINA SOOKDEO

In the realm of music, where melodies hold the power to transcend boundaries and unite hearts, Anjely Rajkumar stands as a prodigy whose voice resonates with the rich heritage of Trinidad and Tobago.

Born and raised in a traditional Hindu household, Rajkumar’s love for Indian culture and passion for singing were nurtured from an early age.

Her paternal grandfather, the late Narine Rajkumar, introduced her to bhajans. As a child, she would sing alongside him while he played the basuri (flute) and the harmonium. That created an early affinity for music that would shape her destiny.

The young Rajkumar began singing at the Warren Road Shiv Mandir, under the mentorship of Madho Mohan who gave free lessons at the mandir.

[caption id="attachment_1044630" align="alignnone" width="768"] Anjely Rajkumar -[/caption]

Recognising her talent, her parents enrolled her in Hindi and music classes at the Sansthaan.

“Being there, I learnt various raagas and the Hindi language to ensure proper pronunciation,” Rajkumar said. She gives full credit to her teachers, Dr Varsha and Varuna Parsan for her training.

She also enrolled in vocal classes at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation under the tutelage of Dr Nagesar Lal Karn. She still receives training at the institute under Dr Kamala Dhyani. She is a student at the Upper Level Educational Institute where she is studying sociology, entrepreneurship, management of business and Caribbean Studies at Advanced Levels. At the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), she obtained six grade ones and two grade twos at the Saraswati Girls’ Hindu College.

For Rajkumar, her parents, Madho and Kavita Rajkumar, are her pillars of strength. Their unwavering encouragement and support have been the driving force behind her music career. “They have supported my music career since inception and they continue to do so.”

Rajkumar has had notable singing achievements through the years. Her entry into competitions led to her winning the Raag Singing competition put on by the Bharatiya Vidya Sansthaan in 2015, with a Bandish in Raag Bilawal.

[caption id="attachment_1044632" align="alignnone" width="1024"] “I would advise young artistes to have a basic understanding of Indian music which involves the learning of raagas and taals," says Anjely Rajkumar.-[/caption]

While attending Munroe Road Hindu School, she and her younger sister, Shanta, represented the school in the Balvikaas competition hosted by the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha. Under the guidance Khemchand Mungalsingh, they placed second in 2016, and first in 2017 in the local classical category with their performance of the thumri, Anjani Kumar, made popular by the late Jameer Hosein, a local classical singer.

Her rendition of that song also saw her take first place in 2019 at the Mere Desh Competition hosted by Praimsingh’s Pooja Bhavan.

While at Saraswati Girls’ Hindu College, Rajkumar competed in the Secondary Schools’ Sanskritic Sangam in 2019 and 2021, winning first place in the Local Classica

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