Audiences across the country were charmed when they saw cherubic seven-year-old Keshav expertly drumming his fingers on the tabla with a wide grin on his face and bobbing his curly head with obvious enjoyment while performing at “Rhythms of India,” the opening event of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) opening ceremony here on Sunday.
Keshav stays in Auroville near Puducherry.
Selected by Bharat Bala
He was selected to play by CWG creative head Bharat Bala, who said: “I spotted him in a show at Auroville at Puducherry. I was conceiving ‘Rhythms of India,' the first item of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, when I saw him perform.
“The event had folk drummers from all over the country so I thought it would be interesting to have a boy perform alongside them.”
“He is a natural”
Keshav's mother Gopika said: “He is a natural. Besides, it runs in the family which has musicians and artists. Keshav is also the grandson of artist Prafulla Dahanukar.”
According to Ms. Gopika, her son performs as and when he feels like it and nobody forces him.
“We are aware of his talent, but we also want him to have a normal childhood.
“Music is something spontaneous for him and he performs with a lot of passion.”
The prodigy tabla player's first performance was in February this year when he played at a private gathering.
Keshav who is in Class II, enjoys cycling and playing the guitar as well.
