Gajan 'n' Dinesh

by Rikaza Hassan

What do you get when you bring together an art director and a brand manager? In the case of Dinesh and Gajan, what you do get is a Tamil hip hop and rnb music album in Tamil, English and Sinhala. With added flavours of pop, soul, techno, ... it's sure to appeal to the tastes of the average youth with his or her weekly allowance in the pocket.

"Cross Culture (the album) is about getting beyond barriers," says Gajan. "It's about reaching out to the youth of the world," adds Dinesh. "It's for both the guys and the girls sixteen and over who can relate with it to their day to day lives."

Gajan and Dinesh were introduced to each other just one year ago. A couple of chats and six months later, they were starting work on the twelve songs that would comprise Cross Culture, the album. Their songs Cross Culture and Crush have already made them house hold names in more than just the local Tamil music industry. "The Tamil music market is dominated by Indian musicians and Tamil movie songs," says Dinesh and has become almost impossible to break through for local musicians. "Our songs have reached the Tamil music charts," he adds with a beaming smile.

The music of Gajan and Dinesh have indeed transcended language/race/religious barriers for they are frequently played on Yes FM, Shakthi FM, Y FM and other radio channels as well as being a favourite mainstream request. The duo has been invited to a diverse range of television programmes from Channel One to Derana and Shakthi TV.

Yet why include Tamil in an industry such as ours I ask? "We're Tamil speaking people from Tamil backgrounds. We're comfortable with Tamil and English. Besides the local industry is ready for it." They nevertheless emphasise that their music has national appeal and the statistics would indeed prove them right.

Their songs are also of an individual "concept and theme." "Our album deals with from the heart issues like attitude, family, brotherhood, culture, peace,..." says Gajan. The song Cross Culture, for instance speaks about "a village guy who is happily married, gets a job in the city where he converts to the city life.

His lifestyle changes from that of a rural guy to an urban guy: club hopping, women entertainment." The song portrays the altered man's two minds as he goes about his new life. "It's about not forgetting your country, about remembering your past," remarks Dinesh. "It's very relevant to people who go overseas and then act like their new lifestyle is what they were always like."

Not only are Gajan and Dinesh set to break into the local market with a bang next month, but they will also be launching their debut album in India. "Our music has global appeal. There are a lot of Tamil speaking people around the world and India is a huge Tamil speaking nation."

Despite the hype surrounding them, their fans from far reaching places such as Kandy and Batticoloa, Gajan and Dinesh are two very down to earth guys.

"Even during our performances we dress like the people we are: very real and metropolitan." Their stage act is "calm, energised and colourful." "We try to have a lot of glamour."

These are two guys from "orthodox, strong Hindu backgrounds" and are as real as you and I. Their fluid, expressive and contemporary music however showcases their immense talents combined to bring forth a truly commendable creation.

Await the unveiling of Cross Culture by Gajan and Dinesh to your favourite cd shop very soon.

Gajan Kalanikethan Maheson

A product of St. Thomas, Gajan was born on Valentine's Day. Both a graduate and CIM qualified, he works as a brand manager at Stassen Foods, where he handles products such as Mars, Heinz and Happy Cow.

Gajan has been a mainstay in the local hip hop music scene and is the older brother of rapper Krishan Maheson. The founder of the now defunct Urban Sounds with his brother, they have released many an original such as 'Smooth Flow', 'Gangsta Rap' and 'SL 2030'.

A big lover of sea food, Gajan is a very down to earth guy. He does not make proper conversation with people on their first encounter, but takes time and pains to get to know them before making their full acquaintance. He is also very analytical, taking his time to pore over things before passing judgement. Gajan always thinks about what he is about to say before the words pass out of his mouth.

Dinesh Kanagaratnam

Born in August in Badulla, he was educated at Hilda Matriculation Higher Secondary School in India, Belvoir International College and Alexandra College. He completed a degree in Web Application Engineering at IBM Global Services in India and is currently under the employ of Liquidmedia as an Art Director.

Dinesh penetrated the local music industry with his debut single 'Naan Sonnal' in alliance with Bathiya and Santhush. He also worked as art director for Krishan Maheson's debut album, Asian Avenue. He also featured on the song 'Kondattham' and the album intro.

Dinesh Kanagaratnam is a straight forward guy possessing a sense of humour, is always full of energy and very friendly. This extrovert is also apt to lose his temper quite quickly but is basically a "good person." He loves playing pool and plays it quite often. His dad is quite of him and makes a point of displaying print media articles about him to the neighbours.