AS BOLD AS ANTARA

T H E G I R L R E A D Y F O R E V E R Y G E N R E , A N S W E R S A T U P F R O N T

TALK - PRAKHAR KHARE

Q. From Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs 2009 to ARRived, how do you define your musical journey?

A. It has been a crazy ride so far. From an introvert nine year old who had zero expectations of even making it through the auditions; to an eighteen year old passionate musician with the sole aim of making it into the music industry as an eminent name. My parents have always made sure that I focus well on my training from the best Guru’s and Ustaad’s possible. From being refused a break in a Bengali movie when at the age of 12, to being extremely lucky to have recorded for the man I've worshipped all my life - it's been a journey full of ups and downs, happiness, regrets, failed attempts, a few accomplishments , and lots of learning. I thank my parents for being my pillars of strength and my guiding light at all times and my Guru’s who stood by me always.

Q. You started your vocal training under Padmashree Ustad Rashid Khan, later joined ITC Sangeet Research Academy then prestigious KM Music Conservatory. How do you feel being around such Big Banners?

A. I am extremely fortunate to have such supportive parents who've never given a second thought even if it meant for them to push their bars a little too high , when it came to providing me with the right kind of guidance - Musical or Academic. They made the huge decision of moving to Kolkata all the way from Assam just so I could learn music in the best of best places. I have been fortunate to be accepted in the academy at the age of 4. The 'taaleem' I received there was priceless. Thereafter, I worked hard for three long years and then to qualify for the Auditions of ITC SRA to learn from maestros like Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, Pandit Ajay Chakraborty, Vidushi Girija Devi, Vidushi Shubhra Guha, Ustaad Abdul Rashid Khan Saahab was more than a dream come true as a Junior Scholar. My years at the academy were my golden years. Fortunately or unfortunately I had lost my voice completely around the age of 13-14 and KM Music Conservatory gave me my voice back. It was here that i came to know how to treat your body and voice like your musical instrument and all techniques about healthy use of the voice.

Q. What else you like to do apart from being involved in music?

A. My parents have always made sure Academics are my priority. I am doing my graduation from Symbiosis Centre of Media and Communications, Pune - specialising in Public Relations, trying to strike a hard balance between Work and Studies. I am a movie buff, totally enjoy drawing, a born foodie. I love vlogging - talking about things that intrigue me/ interest me around me, answering questions people have been asking me through social media, email etc. I love engaging with people out there and exchanging ideas.

Q. You sing Folk, do Mashups and Covers, trained in Western Classical, well carries Indian Classical Music, your recent Jammin' Original with Legendary AR Rahman and Jonita gandhi got a tremendous response. How do you maintain this versatility?

A. Thank you so much for the compliment. I was very young when someone once asked me not to sing lata ji songs because according to them it wasn't my 'Genre'. I was too young to know what genre meant. But it just stuck to my head. Everytime i wanted to sing a Lata ji song I stopped since I was told it wasn't my genre. One such day I came to realise the fact that one of main reasons i sang was because I enjoyed it. If I love a song by Lata ji, if it makes me happy , vague terms like 'Genre' shouldn't have the power or right to stop me from singing it. I guess that was the turning point. I love listening to all kinds of music - folk , classical - hindustani, carnatic and western , bollywood, english pop, jazz, blues etc. I am very experimental as a person , so trying something out of my comfort zone thrills me. I work and work till I feel its the best I can do at the given moment. Later it is a bonus when I found that my experiments and work (though small) is appreciated and liked by people around me who matters the most. Your validation makes me feel like I've been able to make my point. Thank You. I don’t know how to thank almighty for giving me the opportunity to sing the Original of the legend AR Rahman Sir, “NISH DIN” along with Jonita Didi. Initially recording of the song was so much fun and then the joy increased many folds when people appreciated and liked my work also in this song. Audio and Official Video of this song will be released shortly and looking forward to see everyone humming the song. Would also like to thank Mr. Samir Bangara (MD - Qyuki) and Mr. Sagar Gokhale (COO - Qyuki) for being beside me in my journey always. along with Jonita Didi. Initially recording of the song was so much fun and then the joy increased many folds when people appreciated and liked my work also in this song. Audio and Official Video of this song will be released shortly and looking forward to see everyone humming the song. Would also like to thank Mr. Samir Bangara (MD - Qyuki) and Mr. Sagar Gokhale (COO - Qyuki) for being beside me in my journey always.

Q. Your duo "Aawaz – speak up against sexual violence" is totally a different perspective of your music. How can music be a weapon against such Social Issues?

A. Such incidents hurt, brings pain and I want to speak out, contribute but did not know how to. Then I realised that Journalists write when they want to voice their opinion, actors act when they want to convey some message so we can sing and then came this project my Jim Ankan Deka. If I am able to convey a message to a few people through my music , I dont think there's anything more useful that my music could do. After “Aawaz”, one of my song - “Ya Devi” – Celebrating Womanhood is a music video which was released with an aim to sensitize people of the various Avatars of a woman in this society. Let’s salute Women. The lyrics have been taken from the Devi Mantra that describes the various qualities of Devi Ma and arranged by me. Last year I released “Ja Ud Ja”. The lyrics was written and I also tuned it. Here I wanted to express my feeling…. feeling of freedom from all pressures of life and fly in the open , all pressure released like a bird in the open air. A story that describes imprisoned mental state of human being (a student then) when under stress, urging the mind to take a leap and change the situation towards freedom. This was appreciated and won some awards etc. So I like speaking out from time to time through my music.

Q. What is Antara Nandy's Percussion for Life?

A. Humility, Politeness, Good music, Good people around, Some achievements, Realisation of contribution to the society, My keen & growing "Team Antara" somehow keeps my beat on.

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