SA’s musical ambassador
PARLOCK resident Shruti Teeluck is the only South African who will make her way to New Zealand, to perform with other international youths, at the Beyond 2020 Festival.
The International Sai musical show, which will be hosted in Hamilton, will take place over the Easter weekend.
It is aimed at building an interactive and contemporary platform for young adults to engage in.
The 19-year-old Sai devotee and violinist, who comes from a musically-inclined family, will not only perform but partake in a host of activities. The teen was offered the opportunity, while at Sai Baba’s ashram, Prasanthi Nilayam, in Puttaparthi, India.
“I was on pilgrimage with my grandparents in December, when we heard about a show that would take place at the ashram. I performed and the organisers loved it and slotted me into the programme. That’s when the team from Beyond 2020 heard me play.”
Her mother, Aashmuki is a dancer and her dad, Shanjeet plays various instruments and owns a production company.
She started learning Bharathanatyam and the harmonium at age three.
“When I turned six, I got my first sitar, which I mastered playing To watch the video, see the instructions on Page 2. in four years. I was then ready to take on the violin.”
Teeluck, who attended classes at the Durban Music School with her younger brother Vaishnav, was then introduced to western music.
“We grew up playing Bollywood and Indian classical music and being introduced to the western side was mind-blowing. What was even better, was creating a fusion.”
She has performed in Germany and Mauritius, and showcased her skills alongside the KZN Youth Orchestra.
Teeluck, a third year pharmacy student at UKZN, will head for New Zealand on March 24.