Slaying all Stereotypes — youngest and the most qualified music teacher in India aims to prove that a career in music can be rewarding
“At the dawn of one’s career”, “Starting their professional journey”, or “A fresher” is what one usually thinks about a 23-year-old. But every law must have an exception. Rahel Shekatkar is one such exception to these stereotypes in our society. Licentiate holder from Trinity and an international coach who can play more than seven instruments, Ms. Rahel’s list of accomplishments is ongoing.
She got introduced to music in a rather unique manner! At 5 years of age, she started learning Kathak under Mrs. Preeti Deo through which, she was introduced to Indian Classical music. Soon, she started to sing under Pt. Rajkumar Barshikar, a renowned classical singer of the Kirana Gharana and guru-bandhu of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi.
Surrounding herself with the best teachers from an early age, Rahel managed to wow them all with her natural passion and talent for music. Along with that, she feels blessed to have the most supportive parents [Mr Rajendra Shekatkar, Mrs Jayashree Shekatkar – working with Tata Motors Ltd., Pune] who recognized her calling, even before she did, and encouraged her to follow her wildest dreams!
‘You could never find me in my classroom because I was always a part of something or the other at school functions, which affected my grades’ – recollects Rahel when asked about her schooling days. This caught her parent’s attention; they shifted her to home-schooling and hence, her active training in music began. Now titled the most Powerful Women in Music 2019 at 23, Rahel seems to have proven the generic education system wrong and Einstein’s theory of personalized education right!
The story of how she got introduced to Western Classical music will make you believe in destiny! Through church, she came in touch with 3 musicians who were just like her: home-schooled and indulging in music 24X7! Upon inquiry, her father got Mrs. Veera Poonawala’s contact, who has been of great influence on her music career. Through her, Rahel was introduced to her first music teacher Lancylot D’souza who started training her in piano. Eventually, she also started learning the violin, guitar and drums with him! At 18, she was also learning different styles of guitar with Mr Uttam Vanarase, while her violin skills were being trained and tested by Suresh Gujar, a well-renowned violinist of this country.
By the age of 13, she inaugurated the Rahel O’ Veena music Academy and started with 5 students and is now training students globally! By the age of 17, she cleared Trinity grade 8 in all 4 instruments: the violin, the guitar, the piano and drums. Along with that, she also passed her Trinity grade 5 in Rock and Pop, and Trinity grade 3 in Western Vocals.