Apeejay’s budding singer shines bright in a musical competition 

Tanishq Arora, a student of Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA), Jalandhar, recently received the ‘Sanyogita 2023 Award’ in Classical Music. For Tanishq, his musical journey began when he was 4 years old. Sharing how this journey started, the budding artist expressed, “It started by singing bhajans during the Navratri. After that my mother enrolled me for music training. I started my training with a music teacher who used to come to my home.”

Tanishq completed his schooling from Delhi Public School, Amritsar where he received a lot of support from his teachers in his music education. He used to participate in every event of the school and has been winning awards since grade 2. 

With his outstanding performance at the KBR Bimalarpan Sangeet Mahotsav, the rising star also became eligible to perform as an artist in Classical Music at KBR Music Festival which is to be held in January. Read edited excerpts of Tanishq’s interview in which he talks about his inspiration and his experience from the achievement.

Are you getting training in classical music? What inspired you to learn music?

For the last 7 years I’ve been learning Hindustani Classical Vocal from Shri Dipin Raj ji. Our Indian Classical Music itself inspired me to learn music.

Tell us about this competition? How do you feel after winning this award?

Sanyogita 2023 was an Indian Classical & Semi-Classical Music Competition for which I had to send my performance of Khayal Gaayan & Thumri Gaayan to them in online mode. I performed “Raag Puriya Dhanashree” and the Thumri “Aan Milo Sajna”. It was an online competition. Eventually, I was declared the winner. The judges appreciated my singing as well as gave me an opportunity to perform in their main concert as a performing artist, which is going to be held in January 2024 at Bhilai, Chhattisgarh. They couriered my awards at my home. It was tough competition and I feel blessed they selected me as a performing artist.

Do you also compose music or lyrics?

Yes, I also compose my music in different ragas. I composed and wrote many “khayal bandishes” in different ragas. Like in “raag maru bihag” “raag jansammohini” “raag bhimpalasi” “raag bhinna shadaj”, etc. I have also performed my “khayal compositions” on stage. 

Who is your role model? How does Apeejay support you in this journey?

Listening is the key to learning and living in music. I learn music from my Guru ji and by listening to many artists like Pt. Bhimsen Joshi Ji, Pt. Jasraj Ji, Pt. Mani Prasad Ji, etc.

Apeejay supports me a lot in my music education. In college, music teachers are very supportive and I’m thankful to them.