HIMANSHU GURU
Vocalist Archita Bhattacharya, who has shared stage with eminent artistes like Shankar Mahadevan, Rajan Sanjan Mishra, Pandit Ajay Pohankar and Javed Akhtar, says she owes her success as a singer to her father whose absence she feels at every moment. The recipient of the national scholarship for Hindustani classical vocal from the Union human resource development ministry, Archita has performed in national and international concerts. Born and bought up in Chhattisgarh, the singer lives in Mumbai. In an interview with Orissa POST, the mellifluous vocalist shares her melodious journey. Excerpts:
How was the experience of performing live with Shankar Mahadevan?
It was an amazing experience to share stage with him and record a song. I have a YouTube upload of his comments about my rendition and his comments are very clear, but as my voice is not that clear I hardly share it. It was a learning experience for me.
How supportive has your family been in your musical career?
Whatever I have achieved as a singer today is due to the endless effort of my father. Despite his busy schedule he used to take me for my classes. Also, he would make sure I practised daily. So great was his desire that I followed my passion for music that he chose not to take rest after an accident to take me to my music class. These days my mother takes care of the household chores so that I can concentrate on practice. Besides, I am thankful to my boss Abhay Aima (group head of HDFC bank) without whose support I wouldn’t have got the chance to balance my profession and passion.
What according to you is your X-factor as a singer?
I try to promote classical singing in such a way that it becomes popular with the younger generation. Besides, I have tried to bring some flavours of ‘bandish’, semi-classical, ghazal, Sufi, ‘maand’ and a medley of a few ragas and blend it with film songs based on those ragas in my first CD – ‘Sanwara Mhare Preet’.
Tell us about your upcoming album ‘Jogiya’.
One of my bosses at HDFC bank, Deepak Jeswal, is a brilliant lyricist and ace photographer. He penned seven songs and I composed all them and lent voice to them. Every song is based on a raag and we have used all live instruments. I am looking forward to the release of the album.
You have recorded the title track, the sad version, of ‘Diya Aur Bati Hum’ which was earlier sung by eminent vocalist Shubha Mudgal. How did you get the opportunity?
Singer Tochi Raina is a good friend of mine. When the producer of the serial wanted a bold new female voice, he suggested my name and I bagged the opportunity.
You have performed abroad including at the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles in August 2016. Does the global audience warmly accept Indian classical music?
I feel really honoured to have represented my country. We all know our music is followed/loved/practised/encouraged around the globe. In China, everyone’s performance from India was much appreciated by participants from 15 countries as well as by the audience.
Tell us about experience of Orissa and Oriya music.
I have never been to Orissa but would love to visit the state soon. I know it will be an honour to perform in Orissa. I have listened to Oriya songs but not much. The music of the state is beautiful and the greatness of our country is that every state has its own beautiful music and culture.
Vocalist with verve
Born to Rekha and late Dr Dinanath Bhattacharya of Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, Archita completed her Master’s in Hindustani classical vocal from Indira Kala University. In Kolkata, she was a direct disciple of Pandit AT Kanan at Sangeet Research Academy. Anita and Sumita are her elder sisters. Archita works at HDFC bank in Mumbai as a senior product manager for NRI businesses. She is also associated with a music academy to teach students all around the globe through Skype classes.
Archita is a trained classical singer with a soft and golden voice who is equally proficient in classical and light music. The vocalist started learning music at the tender age of three and has received training from Mukund Hirway and Gunvant Vyas. She has received training in semi-classical, ghazal and light classical music from Shipra Bose, Kirti Vyas, Gautam Mukherjee and Rimi Sinha Basu.
A graded artist of All India Radio, Archita secured the first position in AIR’s Hindustani Classical Music Competition. She was selected as a Greenhorn, part of an initiative started by Kala Sangam, Mumbai. She was also chosen as the ‘Voice of HDFC Bank’ in a fiercely fought competition under the guidance of the Shankar Mahadevan Academy. Archita has appeared in shows on channels like ETV, Kolkata, DD Urdu and DD Raipur. She was also sent by Kala Sangam to Mayo College in Ajmer for a lecture demonstration.
The vocalist has performed in famous concerts like Banyan Tree, at Kala Sangam and SMEAM for their Sur Prabhat concerts. She was associated with reputed corporate organisations and recorded four episodes in Calicut for the Malayalam channel Media One. Archita was also selected to compose and sing the theme song for the movie ‘Crushed Wings’ by award-winning UK-based film-maker Lalit Bhusal. The melody queen has mentored participants of the reality show, ‘Yes I am’, soon to go on air.
