Saturday 05 / October / 2024
MUSCAT: Two members of Red Khanjers, a musical band based in Oman, performed at the Ohio University campus as part of Oman’s 46th National Day celebrations, as audiences immersed in the multi-cultural and multi-lingual musical strains.
“It was only a 90-minute performance. But our intonations, passionate renditions and rhythmic beats wowed the audience,” Haitham Al Balushi, the lead vocalist of Red Khanjer, said.
Adjudged the winner of Muscat Idol 2012 and Muscat Icon 2013, Haitham is at ease with any musical piece. He has done many shows in Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait and has proved his mettle in music. His father, Mohammed Rafi, is a well-known singer in Oman and his sister, Asma Mohammed Rafi, wowed Zee TV viewers in the Music Competition Sa Re Ga Ma 2009.
Santrupth G.R.Vedanti, who accompanied Haitham to Ohio as acoustic drummer, said performing in Ohio was an exciting experience. “I was a little worried about performing in Ohio, but we did well and the audience encouraged us with their applause,” Santrupth said.
“Moreover, I felt elated while performing on Oman’s National Day in Ohio,” Santrupth added.
Santrupth achieved Grade 8 in Drums from the Trinity College of Music, London. A student of Class X, Santrupth has played with Gino Banks, Dilip Doshi and Arun Kumar, the renowned trio from the world of drumming.
Santrupth has also performed with A.R.Rahman and has successfully completed a programme at Berklee College of Music, Boston in the US.
Red Khanjers was formed in 2015. Homogeneity in their ensemble has enabled them to strike powerful chords in music. Their strong forte lies in their endeavour to spread music far and wide. Their musical scores are in English, Hindi and Arabic languages.
