Talented teenager

Meet an 18-year-old IT student who is also a musician


Rajive Om Prakash Keshup stands apart from other young people because of his love and passion for music. This eighteen-year-old musician believes music reflects your innermost feelings and is a strong medium for their expression.

Over the past six years, he has not only composed background scores for various high school productions, jingles for local radio stations and advertising companies, but also entertained as a Disc Jockey at various house and club parties.

He has performed at the Burj Al Arab Hotel, won the 'Battle of the Bands' in one of his three attempts and received the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Bronze for playing the piano.

But for now he has his hands full dividing time between his recently launched Production Company, R: Studio, and studies.

Despite gaining admission to top music schools in England and U.S.A., he decided to stay back and study computer information systems at the Centre of American Education. "I opted for this major, which is a combination of computer science with business administration, because it is the root of e-commerce, a field I want to be a part of in the years to come," explains Rajive. "Taking up music as my major would qualify me to pursue it as a teaching career. But I want to make my kind of music and not lose my creativity."

He finds the studies at CAE less stressful. "It is what I am interested in and is totally concentrated. I attend class for a maximum of three hours daily. The rest of the day I am free to do whatever I want. That's when music comes in. It is easy to balance anything as long as you are disciplined with time and you know what your priorities are," he says.

"Before R:Studio I was working with Emmanuel Marie who was a representative of Dolphin Records. But with the closing of Dolphin, I needed to continue with my album – Reflections – elsewhere. Seeing potential in my work and abilities, my father supported me to set up my own studio. My parents have backed me in everything I have ever wanted to do. My dreams are their dreams and my achievements are my gift to them for all they have done for me."

Encouraged by the appreciation of associates and friends, he single-handedly manages his production house, upcoming album and academics, maintaining optimal results each time. His favourite instrument is the keyboard, on which he composes most of his music.

Being a die-hard fan of popular Indian music director, A.R.Rahman, he dreams of someday working with his idol, winning a Grammy award for Best International artist and perhaps even performing at the Sydney Opera House.

But for now, this teen prodigy is content keeping his parents proud with his resolved attitude and unshakable determination.