Clement Pais
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Mangaluru, Feb 10: As India celebrated Bengalurean Ricky Kej's collaborated album 'Winds of Samsara' which won the Best New Age Album award at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, Mangalureans too had a reason to hold their heads high.
For, one of the members of Ricky Kej's group is Vanil Veigas from Mangaluru, who was very much part of the award-winning album.
With Ricky Kej
Speaking to Daijiworld, an elated Vanil Veigas said, "It is really amazing to win the Grammy, no words to express this feeling. We could not watch the Grammy Awards live; we were setting up the screen to watch it along with family and friends, but by then, I started to get calls and messages congratulating me on winning the Grammy. It was a amazing experience."
Recalling his musical journey, he said, "I met Ricky Kej in 2007. Jerome Cohelo, a well-known bass guitarist and Robert D'Souza, a lead and rhythm guitarist introduced me to him, and I am really thankful to them. I still remember the days I started playing instruments in church choir. I have played for various bands in Mangaluru, I was a keyboard player in Valentino Band.
"Ricky and I have produced over a thousand advertising jingles, over 500 corporate anthems, musical scores for over 200 short films and programmed and engineered several music albums like Shanti Orchestra, Fiery Drums, Mesmerizing Flute, The Urban Grooves Project - South India etc," he added.
Vanil Veigas is a foodie, loves chicken and sea food, and his favourite dish is 'Dukra Maas'. He is settled in Bengaluru, and apart from listening to music, he engages in photography as a hobby.
Vanil Veigas was born in Permannur to Isaac Veigas and Daisy Pereira. He is the brother of welk-nown Konkani actor-director Nellu Permannur. He is married to Diana D'Silva and they have daughter, Alline Veigas, who is also learning music at a young age.
He is greatefull to his dad for teaching him music. Isaac Veigas was also a well-known musician in various bands and the same spirit and talent has passed on to his son.
Despite having travelled to various places and composed music, Vanil says he feels most comfortable and creative in the dark studio in Indiranagar, Bengaluru.
Message to budding musicians
"An aspiring musician should work hard, and needs to work as a team player. Mangaluru has so many young talents who need to come out and showcase their abilities to the world. Now it is the era of social media, so everyone can record their music and post it on social networks and and thus make use of the technology to promote their work. Someone somewhere who likes your talent will surely encourage you. Do not hide your talent but show it to the world," Vanil advises.
The album "Winds of Samsara" produced by Bengaluru-based musician Ricky Kej won the Best New Age Album trophy at the 57th Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday Febuary 8, in Los Angeles. Ricky Kej shares the award with Wouter Kellerman, a well-known flutist from Africa. This is the first time ever an Indian composer bagged a Grammy in the new age album category.