Nothing beats drumming

Talented Anjali Rajesh marched to the beat of her own drum and rocked her way to becoming the only female jazz drummer in the kingdom.

The 13-year-old Indian School pupil started playing the instrument when she was just 10 after watching her father, Rajesh, drum on anything he could get his hands on. Anjali immediately grew an interest and started taking lessons to flourish her passion, despite it being considered by her friends as a ‘boy’s instrument’.

Now part of her school’s band, Anjali wants to one day become as successful as her mentor, Hajee Paul Mohammed, who holds the Guinness World Record for playing 24 musical instruments non-stop for 48 hours in 2004.

And it looks like she’s one step towards that already. According to mum Rema, whenever Anjali walks down the halls in her school, fellow students whisper ‘there goes the jazz drummer’. She hopes that this newfound popularity will help her ultimately live her dream of playing in a successful band.

Anjali, from Juffair, said: “As the first female jazz drummer I feel very proud of such an accomplishment. I got the passion to play the drums from my dad. He used to play as well at my age so it’s definitely in my DNA.

“I want to be just like my teacher when I’m older. The way he plays music and understands it is amazing. He can compose music in just two minutes, it is unbelievable. He really inspires me and knows a great deal about the drums.

“My parents are also a big inspiration. My mum, Rema, drives me to practice and my dad, Rajesh, encourages me to play in different styles.

“When I was younger, my family used to attend plenty of parties where my dad used to beat on the table or even on empty water cans and I was just so drawn to it. It was something I wanted to learn. When I grew up my passion and love for jazz grew stronger and I just combined the two.”

Anjali’s father started playing the tabla, a popular Asian and Arabic percussion instrument, at the age of 13. Now a sales manager for Ali Ahmed Kuwaiti Industrial Solutions, he believes that with the right coaching and Anjali’s perfect timing, she can go on to become a fantastic drummer.

He said: “I think Anjali started learning at the right time as you pick up more when you’re younger.

“I also had a jazz kit when I was in college in India but nowadays they are more advanced with the instruments and kits. Back in the day we would listen and just learn ourselves. I never received the professional coaching that Anjali is getting. I would practice on anything, even water cans.”

Anjali’s teacher, Mr Mohammed picked out the jazz queen when he spotted her talent and keenness. He said: “Anjali was always trying to break the norm and get interested in instruments that would normally be played by boys but it worked out because she is a very promising drummer.

“There are many different styles of drumming and jazz is a very tough genre. She is very dedicated and shows a lot of promise. Her parents are very supportive and have even bought her a drum kit. Not to mention, the Indian School puts equal importance on academics as it does with music and art.

“Anjali also plays the keyboard and the flute so she is on her way to beating my own world record. She wants to be her own person and has the ability to learn even more instruments, possibly from different cultures. The talent she has is hereditary and in a few years’ time I’m sure she will learn even more instruments. I am so proud of her.”

Anjali’s favourite group is the pop group One Direction. “English music in general has inspired me and it has taught me many new things,” she said. “Music is very pleasant and I like the sensation it gives the person creating it. I sometimes use music as a remedy to calm myself when I’m stressed.”

Anjali takes only one month to master a pattern, which she described as being able to play with no mistakes at a very fast pace. She usually asks Mr Mohammed to play the piece before she has a crack at it as she believes it is the best way to learn when he guides her and makes her practise until she gets it right. And practise she does, with two lessons a week on drums as well as practising the flute and keyboard, Anjali makes sure she brushes up on her skills whenever she has the time.

“Me and my dad always play together,” she said. “On weekends we lock ourselves in my room where the kit is and we make a lot of noise.”

Anjali may allow her dad to play along, but when it comes to her younger sister, five-year-old Arya, she would rather put up an argument than let her touch her drums.

Mum Rema is also extremely proud of her daughter and said: “She started learning music at a very young age. We introduced her to Indian music first but she had no interest. We then tried to get her involved in Indian classical dance and again ... no interest. Eventually she decided on drums and has grown to love it.

“It is one of those instruments that very few females appear to play and when you have a flair for something it can be very inspiring to others.”

Anjali and her friends recently formed a group, that is yet to be named, and performed at a New Year’s Eve bash. She explained that although she doesn’t compose her own music, she and the band members will play well known songs and make them their own.