Venkat Raman
Hundreds of Tamil film music enthusiasts are expected to participate in an online ‘Tamil Karaoke Singing Contest’ for the Indian community on either side of the Tasman.
Organised by the Auckland based ‘Rambutan Media Works New Zealand Limited,’ the Contest is stated to be the first of its kind to be held in this region.
The singing challenge is the brainchild of Yugendran Vasudevan, a popular Tamil singer (and the son of the late and legendary Malaysia Vasudevan), who will also serve on the Panel of Judges.
Among the other judges are popular Director Venkat Prabhu, Carnatic Musician and Veena expert Rajhesh Vaidhya, music composer and playback singer Devan Ekambaram,
About the Competition
The Competition, being held to identify and crown ‘Tamil Karaoke Star 2019,’ will comprise a number of audition rounds to select in the first instance 16 quarterfinalists.
Those qualifying in the quarterfinals will be given a different theme leading to elimination and selection of eight semi-finalists.
The semi-finalists will be invited to perform at a Grand Finale at which the winner will be announced and receive the title of ‘Tamil Karaoke Star 2019.’
Mr Yugendran said that the Competition is open to people of Indian Origin living in New Zealand and Australia.
“This Digital Competition will culminate in an event in August 2019, the details of which will be announced in due course. Our judges are well-known persons in the Tamil film industry and performing arts,” he said.
About Rambutan Media Works
Rambutan Media Works has been functioning as an accredited company in Singapore for the past ten year and established its presence in Auckland recently as ‘Rambutan Media Works NZ Limited.’
Mr Yugendran said that the Company plans to produce films in New Zealand in collaboration with local production houses.
“Rambutan Media Works NZ is conducting this event to reach out to the wider Indian community living in New Zealand and Australia,” he said.
Venkat Prabhu
Venkat Kumar is the son of popular lyricist, composer and singer Gangai Amaren and nephew of internationally known music maestro Ilayaraja.
He has been involved in the Tamil film industry as a producer, director, actor and playback singer for more than 15 years, although he got his first break with ‘Chennai 600028’ released in 2007. His other box-office hits were ‘Saroja’ (2008), ‘Mankatha’ (2011), ‘Biriyani’ (2013) and ‘Masss’ (2015). (2008), Goa (2010), Mankatha (2011), Biriyani (2013) and Masss (2015).
Rajhesh Vaidhya
A highly proficient and much-admired Veena player, Rajhesh Vaidhya is equally well-known for his performances with many music composers including Vidyasagar, Harris Jayaraj, Bharathwaj, Deva, Devi Sri Prasad, Srikanth Deva and Ilayaraja.
He acted in ‘Viswa Thulasi,’ a Tamil film and ‘Premi,’ a tele-serial. He composed music for ‘Vegam,’ a Tamil film produced by produced by famous comedian S Ve Shekher, his brother-in-law. He was honoured with the coveted ‘Kalaimamani’ Award for his expertise in 2010. Jayaraj, Bharathwaj, Deva, Devi Sri Prasad, Srikanth Deva, Ilayaraja and A R Rahman.
Devan Ekambaram
Devan Ekambaram is an Indian American film playback singer, actor and composer.
He began his career as a playback singer in Tamil films and later branched out to Telugu, and Kannada and has sung for over 500 films.
Devan pursued his higher school studies at the Freehold Township High School, New Jersey.
He began his singing career in the year 1999, and his maiden song ‘O Maria’ for Tamil film ‘Kadhalar Dhinam’ performed with Yugendran was a hit.
Yugendran Vasudevan
Yugendran Vasudevan has hundreds of songs to his credit in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam and has experience as a Music Director and Programme Host.
Yugendran performed at the launch of ‘Swarna Oli’ a Radio Station in Sri Lanka in 1999, where he met his wife, Hayma Malini, a popular RJ host.
