TEJ KRISHEN RAINA.
TEJ KRISHEN RAINA.
Born on 25th Dec.1946,he alongwith his elder brother, Jawahar Lal Raina went to JABRI SCHOOL at Nai Sarak which was adjacent to our residence.
After pimary schooling at JABRI, Tej went to S.P.School and later graduated from AMAR SINGH COLLEGE in 1968.
Being from Rainas , like his other brothers he too inherited ARTISTIC temperament.
So, besides his studies MUSIC started attracting him .He used to be part of Rainas " Mehfils". Following his Academic pursuits, Tej did his post graduation(MSc)in Chemistry from Kashmir University(1968_ 70).
With all his fondness and liking for music, Tej was considered as NON MUSICAL PERSON in the Raina family. He was very friendly with his brother, Jawahar who was just two years elder to him. Jawahar was not onlly brilliant in studies but immensely talented also.He studied Mech. Engg. from R. E. C ,Srinagar and was scholarship holder throughout.He did a brief stint with Citizen Watch Co. in Japan and has retired from HMT Watch Factory, Srinagar.
Jawahar yielded a lot of influence on Tej.
When Tej expressed his desire to learn SANTOOR, Jawahar encouraged and initiated. They went to Sh. Krishen Langoo's house in the neighbourhood and found one dumped SANTOOR in his upper storey side room where discarded material was kept (BRER KANI).
The Santoor was purchased for Rs. 50 only. Elder brother, The SITAR Maestro, Late O. N.RAINA repaired it , tuned it and set it right.First Lesson was given by Jawahar, his elder brother.
Tej was impatient, curious and eager to be like Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma. Seeing his obsession and passion, elder brother O.N.Raina took over.He started tutoring Tej with KOMAL and SHUDH surs etc.
Baijan, my uncle (O.N.Raina) had a natural flair for humour and had a terrific gift of the gab. I very vividly remember during one of the lessons, Baijan advised Bairaji(Tej Krishen) He said,
"Teja I do not want to dampen your enthusiasm, but Ustaads and PANDITS are not produced overnight. Do your RIYAAZ (Practice) religiously, listen and follow Pandits and Ustaads like Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma." I saw a naughty grin on Baijan's face.
So, Tej pulled up his socks.His first job was as Senior PGT teacher at Badgam.
He would put small chains around his wrists and practice wrist movements while travelling to and fro Budgam.
Under the tutelage of Late Sh. O.N.Raina he perfected and mastered his favourite instrument, SANTOOR.
For the benefit of those who do not know, SANTOOR IS LIKE A DULCIMER HAVING METAL STRINGS. MUSICAL NOTES ARE PRODUCED BY STRIKING THE STRINGS BY TWO LIGHT, WELL CRAFTED WOODEN HAMMERS. It requires dexterity of hands and wrists.
Tej performed in many shows mostly organised by ACADEMY OF ART ,CULTURE AND MUSIC. He also acted in some operas and plays He has enthralled audiences not only in India but abroad also. He has been an integral part of cultural troupes alongwith artists and singers like Sh.T.K.Jalali. Sh.O.N.Raina, Mrs.Shamima Dev Azad, Gulam Nabi Sheikh, Krishen Langoo, Aarti Ticku besides a host of others.
His first break was given by Pushkar Bhan and Som Nath Sadhu on Radio Kashmir in a programme, " Ubarta Kalakaar " After that he did not look back and many Radio and doordarshan performances followed which won him accolades and recgnition as an accomplished Santoor Player.
His major contribution besides a string of Radio and Television programmes are;
SANTOOR PLAYBACK FOR BASHIR BUDGAMI'S FILM,"HABBA KHATOON."
"HIMALAY KE CHESHME"
"PIYA BAAJ PYALA"
"TIPU SULTAN" to name a few.
All these operas/plays were directed by Pran Kishore with music composed by Sh. T.K. Jalali and Late Sh. O.N.Raina.
During his Academical career Tej has worked as Vice Principal in Indian School, Bahrain(1985_2002) From 2002_2010 he rendered his services as Director, Chain Of Dilwan International Public Schools
(DIPS),Dilwan, Punjab.
Whatever the professional pursuits, All RAINAS HAVE AN ARTISTIC DISPOSITION, SO HAS TEJ. He has enthralled and mesmerised audiences in Bahrain and Canada where he is settled with his family .
BAIRAJI I WISH YOU MANY MANY YEARS OF YOUR MAGICAL SANTOOR VAADAN!
The picture shows Tej Krishen Raina with Pt.Shiv Kumar Sharma(Tej is on the left side of Pandit ji).It was taken in Bahrain after Tej Krishen Raina's Santoor recital in The State Of Bahrain in which Chief Guest and Guest Of Honour were ,
H.E.Tariq Abdul Rahman Almoyed(Min. Of Information) and The Indian Ambassador
Mr.M.P.M.Menon.
So far so much, Rest in the next !
(Sudesh Raina)
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