More than just a band

Madurai is a band of musicians, who, with a parade of classics, bring forth memories of the swinging sixties and the sentimental seventies. For the band members, most of whom hail from the temple town of Madurai, music is a  passion that gives them the much needed joie de vivre in today’s stressful world. The band members have a parallel professional life, which they pursue with as much passion as they do music. Here's a lowdown on the six-member band.  Lead vocalist and guitarist J Rajasekaran's expertise spans genres ranging from rock, pop to folk. With A collector of Indian folk songs, Rajasekaran pioneered Tamil rock music, wrote rousing rockers such as Kannamma Nallama or Ulaga Mayam, a hard hitting 'original Tamil blues' on the effects of globalisation. When not singing, Rajasekaran counsels students from the US who are on a study tour in India.Bassist and backing vocalist M Rajan is an entertainer. When he is not plugged into his bass amplifier, Rajan guides future leaders in the corporate world. He runs Zeal, a corporate personality development programme, and SpeakEasy, a centre to better one's English.Lead guitarist and vocalist Jude Reeves was a child prodigy. He has been crowned Best Guitarist in a number of competitions. His talent for fretwork is noteworthy. When not performing, Jude teaches guitar at the Rock School. Drummer Judy Francis can handle various genres with ease. He can easily get your feet tapping to The Beatles’ rocker I Saw Her Standing There or when he's belting out a dapankuthu. Professionally, Judy teaches drums and keyboards at a school. Guitarist V K Raghunathan is inspired by The Ventures and The Shadows. This once-upon-a-time journalist is part of a trio who entertain diners with sounds of the sixties and seventies. When he is not playing live, Raghu teaches editing and reporting to print-stream students.Keyboard player Dayan Selwyn is into rock, inspired by Elvis Presley,Queen and Red Hot Chilli Peppers. When he is not hitting the ivories, he showcases his talent in event management.