City lad resonates 'Rhythm of Love'

While other school kids were busy playing pranks, watching TV and playing video games like super mario (at that time), this tiny tot decided to venture into the world of chords and notations, altos and sopranos.

A young boy of 8, studying in Mangalore, Ashish Jason Palanna entered the world of music and there was no turning back for him since.

At a tender age of 10, he learnt to play the violin from Ms Gladys Silver, who, a few years down the line inaugurated his own music store in the city. He also performed at concerts held in the local music associations.

Around the same time, he picked up the guitar and at 16, he was singing and playing for a local music band and was also heading the choir in school and later in college. 

A notorious lad nevertheless, Ashish left no opportunities in playing pranks in school and at home. He fondly remembers how his parents found it difficult to get him to study with him playing the guitar day and night. But now looking back, he feels that it was his parents’ patience and support that has kept him going for so long.

Adding a feather to his cap, this boy of 18 got the honour of being one of the musicians who performed and represented the Konkan coast at the Indian Embassy in Oman. He was also felicitated and recieved appreciation from the nationals of different countries present there. He was also one of the singers/musicians for the theme song of the well known show MTV Roadies 7.0

A qualified classical guitarist from Trinity College of Music, London, he started teaching at a music school in Mangalore before he graduated from college. 

“I started teaching the guitar, keyboard, percussions and violin. I also play the Ukelele. I enjoyed teaching different age groups which included professionals from the field of medicine, law etc,” he said and added that he felt elated when, recently, his student of merely 12, started his own music group and invited him for a performance. 

Most parents are skeptical about children invlolving in music because it affects their grades, but Palanna seemed to know how to balance his two worlds. He graduated as a distinction student in business management and is currently pursuing his further studies in Chartered Accountancy.

While he was 21 years of age, with the help of his uncle and business partner, he started his own music store in the city which provides all kinds of instruments, including to schools. He also teaches music, part-time, at Presidency School and Manipal School in Mangalore. 

“Music has certainly made me patient and responsible in many ways and made me who I am today. While I’m playing an instrument or singing, all I can feel is happiness. Being happy and giving happiness to others through my music is what music is for me,” he said while talking about his relationship with music.

Last year, he started a music band along with his friends, called ‘Rhythm of Love’ that also runs a studio called ROL Studios. The other members of the band are Sweethin Hartman, Ashley Michael, Duane Frank, Stephen Frank, Joswin D’Cunha, Srinivas Shekar and Amabelle Moras.

“We put our heart and soul into music and make people celebrate music with us when we play at charity shows, corporate events and other occasions,” said this young musical prodigy and entrepreneur.