Rahul Nambiar, an MBA, worked for two years in a bank and felt bored. As a lark, he took part in the Sun TV talent search contest, ‘Sapthaswarangal’. Astonishingly, he won, beating 3000 other singers. It changed his life. The Kannur-born Rahul had the courage to embark on a playback singing career. His first assignment was to sing in the Tamil film, ‘Dishyum’. Today, he has sung over 350 songs. He received a Filmfare nomination for the best Male Playback Singer for the song ‘Paiyaa’ in the film, ‘Adada Mazhada'. But he won in 2012 for ‘Dookudu’ in ‘Guruvaram’. Rahul has also sung several advertising jingles. The youngster is adept at Western, Carnatic, light music and hip-hop genres. And he has done more than 450 stage shows all over the country.
In 2009, Rahul joined hands with his friend and Bass player Aalap Raju. They formed a band named RAHLAAP, a mix of both their first names. They released an album in Hindi after working on it for four years.
Aalap, who is from Chennai, is equally talented. His song, ‘Enamo Aedho’ from the film, ‘KO’, was a chart-topper in 2011, and won him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer. He has sung for top music directors, like Harris Jayaraj and Deepak Dev, among others.
Now RAHLAAP is coming to Kochi. Both Rahul and Aalap will be sidestepping traditional film songs and playing a lot of original material, in several languages, which will have shades of sufi, jazz, folk and rock, among others. They will also do covers of well-known songs and their ultimate desire is to collaborate with great musicians. The band includes Rahul (Vocal, Melodica), Aalaap (Bass,
Vocal), Prakash (Mandolin), Jeoraj (Drums), Navneeth (Keys), Vikram (Percussion) and Josh (Guitar). Because of the Christmas season, they will also be singing carol songs.
So, catch them live at JT PAC on Saturday, December 22. For reservations contact 9349528057, 9349528107.