THE LATEST HONOUR bestowed upon the seven-year-old music prodigy Taksheel Buddhadeo is an entry into the India Book of Records for participation in 200 on-air broadcast (radio, television) programmes — the highest number by any school student in India.

Taksheel has been practicing Indian classical music and the harmonium from the time he was three. Continuous practice, training and devotion to music have endowed him with a deep understanding of sargam, taal, tarana and bandish in different ragas. Two years ago, he topped the Indian classical music (instrumental) exam conducted by the Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad. A regular vocalist on All India Radio, Taksheel has already made a film debut in a 30-minute documentary spotlighting his musical talent which was broadcast on Lok Sabha television last year.

The older of two children of Prafullakumar Buddhadeo, an engineer employed with Bechtel Corporation, Gurgaon, and Bhavisha, a homemaker, Taksheel has inherited his passion for music from his mother, whom he closely observed while she prepared for her final-year sangeet visharad exam (equivalent to a bachelors degree in music). At age seven he already has a stage presence with nine shows on Doordarshan, AIR, FM Gold, Radio City, and 17 other stage and live events.

“I believe Taksheel’s achievements are the outcome of a well-designed curriculum at Amity International School, Gurgaon where he is a class III student, and the support and encouragement of his class teachers,” says father Prafullakumar.

Although learning and practicing music is this young maestro’s prime interest, it’s not his only focus. He has a sporty side too, with interest in roller skating, taekwondo, and chess. Furthermore, awareness of the need to care for the environment and ecology has dawned early upon this precocious pre-teen who makes it a point to weave these issues into his radio and television programmes. 

Wind beneath your wings!

Garima Upadhyay (Delhi)