RUJUL A. PATHAK
Rujul Pathak is a young and talented exponent of Hindustani Classical Vocal Music. She has been under the tutelage of Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan, son of the legendary vocalist of Agra Atrauli Gharana, Late. Padmashri. Ustad Sharafat Hussain Khan ; for the last thirteen years, at the well renowned Saptak School of Music in Ahmedabad.
From her childhood, Rujul has been in an environment where music is regarded as much more than a hobby. Hers is a culturally rich family and she has also been learning music from her father since childhood. Through the years, Music for Rujul has become a passion, which encourages her to reach higher levels of dexterity in her beautiful "Journey in voice".
Rujul's performances have that rare blend of creativity ("Upaj") and preparation ("Taiyyari"), which show in her flawless rendering of the Raag, complete with unhurried "aalap", intricate "taans" and all the other essentials of a Hindustani vocal recital. She constantly innovates and improvises to make her performances appealing.
Even at a very young age, Rujul has achieved much in the field of Indian Classical Music. Her foremost accomplishments include the prestigious Pt. Omkarnath Thakur award for young talents given by the Gujarat Sangeet Natak Academy, India; Performances at the Nehru Centre of Performing Arts, The celebrated Annual Saptak National Festivals and the internationally renowned Darpana Academy. Rujul also has to her credit, University Youth festival Award for the "Best Performer" in the entire West Zone of India (Over 80 universities participated). She excelled in the All India Radio (AIR) National competition bagging the first position in the entire state. Recently she was also invited to perform at the well acclaimed Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan. Rujul was recently conferred the coveted title of "SURMANI" at a function organised at Mumbai, India.This title is given to an upcoming artist in the field of Indian Classical Music, in recognition of the artists' promising talent.
Truly a multi-faceted personality, Rujul is also a student of the Indian Classical Dance"KATHAK" for several years and has performed actively at her university. Dance has given her a sense of balance and agility, which has improved her understanding of Music.Music on the other hand had helped her in understanding Taal and appreciating Sur in Dance. Music and Dance are complementary in nature and hence it's a gift to understand both the art forms fully, in their diversity as well as in their unity.
Academics have had the utmost importance in Rujul's life. She truly believes that a strong academic career manifests itself into a total and perfect personality. Rujul is an MBA in Marketing and Advertising. She works in the field of Journalism and Marketing Communications.
This young talent has all that is needed and more to make a mark on the National and International Indian Classical Vocal Music scene. As Rujul puts it, "I consider myself fortunate of having been born and raised in a family which, instilled in me rich cultural values. God has given me talent; I hope to continue this journey in voice till the very end of my existence..."