Time and time again the Chutney star, Rakesh Yankaran of Sunflower Avenue, Arena Road Freeport, has proven that as an artiste one can only get better with time. From the start of his singing career he has been producing big hits of the chutney scenes here and now he has scored big in New York.

At the “Bheeraj Music Awards” held in Club Tobago, New York, he was awarded “Best Male Artiste” and “Best Chutney Song” recently. His tune, “Dulhan Chalay Sasural” is now topping the charts at radio WABC on the AM band in New York.

Very much in demand, Rakesh held the attention of the visiting mega star Sonu Nigam at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya. He was later invited to join Nigam in other concerts in the USA.

The versatile composer and singer that he is, Rakesh chose an old Bollywood tune and change the rhythm and music to produce this mega hit. The song, “Janey Waley Dulahin Kushi Kushi Jaana” which is translated to mean “the bribe is leaving, let her go happily” has been popular in TT for many years. It is a song that is synonymous with East Indian weddings in the country as there are songs for every part of the wedding ceremony. Rakesh has been creating waves during the months of June and July with these tunes.

Only now Rakesh’s songs are being played for any occasion in the country. The new rhythm which was also composed by Rakesh is a perfect blend of local music. “I wanted to use a melody that is mixed with the chutney rhythm and the soca. It is a perfect combination for the people here,” Rakesh said. The CD entitled, Get in D Mood was mastered by Kevin Khan of KK Studio.

The other tunes on the CD that are now gaining popularity in TT and overseas include: “Dulhan Chale Sasural”, “Deera Deera Poowa Bhaturey Lawah”, “Bhago Bhago Chori”, “Gowri Deera Chalo”, “Nah Bole Rey”, “Pani Baran Ko”, “Bhaje Bhaje”, and “Chalo Chamkey”.

The versatile singer as he is, Rakesh is well respected for producing hit songs each year. He recently returned from performing in New York at three major functions where he was well received there. Earlier this year, Rakesh’s compositions of “Dadeeya Moray Laylay” and “Mousie” had similar impact on the crowds here. His ability to compose and sing these tunes is remarkable as his name has been at the top in the chutney scene for many years now. In responding to this comment he smiles heartily saying, “This is my gift from God. I guess I was born to entertain.”

The producer of the CD Ajeet Praimsingh said that Rakesh not only looks like his father Isaac Yankaran but he has his voice. “Isaac died when he was jut 37 years old and Rakesh was five at the time. The young man did not know his father but he inherited his voice,” Praimsingh said.

Isaac who was born in 1932 remains one of the earliest recording artistes among the East Indians in TT.

At the time of his death he had already made his mark as one of the finest singers of Indian melodies on this side of the Indian Diaspora.

Rakesh’s father became so popular in the 1940s that he was asked to travel to Suriname and Guyana where he performed for huge crowds. In 1966 Isaac cut his first 78 RPM record under the Kiskidee Label.

His death was untimely as he suffered many complications before he died. Isaac voice is now distinct in the voice of Rakesh.

His brothers Sham, Suresh, Ashok and Anand are also into singing. His sisters Devika and Surekha are also well known singers in south and central Trinidad.

Rakesh who is self taught also reads Hindi and thus composes his own songs. He renders Hindi classical and religious songs with the same expertise as he does his chutney. His next stop will be at Tsunami entertainment Centre in Chaguaramas on September 24 where he will be in concert with big band 3Veni.

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