Rahul Lakhanpal, who received a Master of Science in Construction Management degree at Texas A&M University’s College of Architecture, in August 2008, sang his way to a 7th place finish in an “American Idol”-style competition, broadcast on Zee Tv USA, that focuses on music from India.
The show, in its 12th year, is called “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2008 USA.” The title refers to the first five notes of India’s musical tradition, the equivalent of Do Re Mi Fa So.
Lakhanpal is from Mohali, Punjab, in the northern part of India.
He told the show that after his graduation in August 2008 he is planning to work with a construction company in Canada.
“At the same time,” he said, “I will pursue my music by learning Hindustani classical. I really want to make music and singing as my main profession once I get a little assurance and money from my main construction profession, and believe me it will be in another 2 years.”
In contestant notes on the show’s Web site, Lakhanpal said he began singing at age 12 and listed Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan as his musical inspiration. Khan, who died in 1997, was a master of the Qawwali style of singing, a type of Sufi devotional music that began more than 700 years ago.
“I will always try to give my best and will never let you down. Please pray to God that I always remain humble and down to earth. I love y’all,” he said on the show’s site, http://www.saregamapa.us/new/index.asp.
One of his “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa” performances is available on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wybzORKb7w4.
