Kamahl

Kandiah Kamalesvaran (Tamil: கந்தையா கமலேஸ்வரன்) or Kamahl (born 13 November 1934) is the stage name of an Australian cabaret/easy listening singer and recording artist who is perhaps best known for his song The Elephant Song, as well as his sensitive interpretations of standards in the repertoire of popular music. Kamahl began his music career in small time band "Radial Arm". Born in Malaysia to Tamil Hindu parents, he is of Sri Lankan Tamil her... more

Kandiah Kamalesvaran (Tamil: கந்தையா கமலேஸ்வரன்) or Kamahl (born 13 November 1934) is the stage name of an Australian cabaret/easy listening singer and recording artist who is perhaps best known for his song The Elephant Song, as well as his sensitive interpretations of standards in the repertoire of popular music. Kamahl began his music career in small time band "Radial Arm". Born in Malaysia to Tamil Hindu parents, he is of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage. He grew up in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur and studied at the Victoria Institution. He arrived in Adelaide, South Australia in 1953 to receive a higher education at King's College (now Pembroke School), however, his arrival was not without prejudice on the part of an Australia still influenced by the White Australia Policy. This experience gave bite to his well-known quote: "Why are people so unkind?" At his first public performance in 1958 he shortened his name to Kamal, but the Master of Ceremonies announced him as "Camel". After that he... less