Tansen Nepaul: a journey through SA music and media

AS TANSEN Nepaul celebrates his 60th birthday, his legacy as a trailblazer in the South African music scene continues to inspire, reminding us all of the power of passion and dedication in the face of adversity.

- CANDICE SOOBRAMONEY

The seasoned musician and media professional reflected on a rich career that has spanned over three decades, profoundly impacting the local Indian community and the wider music industry.

His journey from humble beginnings in Merebank to becoming the station manager at Southside FM serves as an inspiring tale of perseverance and dedication to the craft.

Nepaul was introduced to the world of music at age 4 when he accompanied his mother, Subuluxmi Naidoo, a renowned singer, during a performance.

Under the mentorship of his father, Madhanjith Nepaul, Tansen Nepaul immersed himself in the sacred ragas of Hindustani music, beginning a lifelong passion for music that would see him collaborate with renowned artists and bands, including the Lingham Orchestra and Suhana Sungeet, ultimately establishing his own band, the Tansen Nepaul Showband.

Reflecting on his formative years, Nepaul, of Reservoir Hills, said: “My father, who was a musician and vocalist, was a student of the late Pundit Sultan Khan. | later studied Western music on the piano under Eric Harris, followed by Chin Pillay, who taught me South Indian orchestral music.”

He further honed his skills by studying Carnatic music under Harry Arunachalan, allowing him to accompany prominent artists.

“This was my real learning experience,” he reminisced.

“T was regularly featured in Dr TP Naidoo’s Indian Academy concerts, which was the platform that introduced me to mainstream of Carnatic concerts.”

A turning point in his music career was when he joined the Radio Lotus resident band, Kamal Sungeet, where he worked with artists throughout South Africa.

He said local music was never taken seriously in those days due to the vast difference in what Indian South African musicians produced compared to what India was producing.