Pragati Prava
Shweta Vartika’s mellifluous voice has enthralled thousands of listeners and the budding vocalist has been widely lauded and felicitated. The young singer, however, aspires to become a doctor and devote her life to social service…
Cuttack girl Shweta Vartika has enthralled thousands of music lovers with the romantic lines Bol do na zara… originally sung by the famous vocalist Shirley Setia. A budding talent, Shweta is climbing up the popularity charts. A junior artiste in All India Radio since the age of 7, Shweta aspires to make a mark in the music industry. She believes that service to humanity should be the ultimate aim of life and is determined to become a doctor. Shweta wants to “serve the poor and downtrodden.”
The young singer who won the Governor’s Trophy last year says, “Music is my passion. I am fortunate to be blessed by the Creator with an appealing voice. Whichever profession I may embrace, I will never quit music. I can express myself when I am engaged in musical activity. While through modern music I entertain people, it is classical and devotional music that helps me to express my gratitude to God.”
The talented girl draws inspiration from the mythological Sita “who through her life showed how a strong woman holds on to her principles. She is a pillar of strength who champions the welfare of her subjects; she inspires me to work hard to join a noble profession and dedicate my life to the service of the needy,” adds Shweta, who expects to secure above 90 per cent in the Class X examination.
The singer, who received a scholarship from the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training in Delhi, maintains the right balance between her studies and passion. “I am an early riser, and I start practising sharp at 6 am. After an hour’s riyaaz I devote the whole day to studies,” she says.
Blessed with a charming voice, the singer says mellifluousness is not enough to win over the audience. “Hard work, humility, devotion and the blessings of elders are vital to attaining success,” she says.
An expert in the raagas Bihag and Bageshri, Shweta says she is deeply indebted to her music teacher Bandita Ray who rectifies all her flaws. Besides, her mother inspires her to excel in music. The singer is proficient in classical music but feels that it is a bit difficult to maintain the speed of ‘taan’. However, it could be overcome by proper practice.
Asha Margaret Das, principal at Shweta’s school, is her ideal mentor, says the young singer whose ardent devotion towards music almost equals her love for studies. She has earned the Stuart Nightingale title in her school. Narrating a memorable moment, Shweta says: “I was under the impression that the company of my father, mother and tabla teacher, Sukant Sir, fetched me prizes in competitions. However, on the day the Governor’s Trophy contest was held I felt like I would collapse, with my father away on official work and Sukant sir not accompanying me on the tabla. I travelled to the venue with my mother from Cuttack to Bhubaneswar and it had started raining heavily when we boarded the bus. We were drenched when we reached Bhubaneswar, thanks to a leak on the bus roof, and had to walk around a kilometre to reach the auto stand. When we reached Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, the venue, I was completely drenched and felt like I could not sing, with my voice sounding heavy already. I knew, however, that I had to give my best. I performed the Bihag raag and to my surprise all the judges stood up to appreciate my performance. Even the district collector, who was on the dais, came up to my mother and said that I would be a great singer one day. I can never forget that moment.”
Shweta’s mother Nihar Nalini Singh, a lecturer at Bahugram Degree College, says, “Me and my husband, Brajendu Kumar Sinha, an advocate in the High Court, discovered Shweta’s love for music when she was 2 years old. When she was 4 we came across the famous violinist Prafulla K Ray. At the first meeting Ray asked her to sing the ‘sargam’ and to his surprise she sang it perfectly. He was overwhelmed by Shweta’s talent. He taught her the basics of Hindustani vocal. Later, she learnt under the tutelage of Bandita Ray, daughter of Prafulla Ray. She is continuing 6th year in Hindustani Vocal from Akhila Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandala, Mumbai. Shweta has been performing on stage and taking part in competitions since she was a student of Class IV.” She has won several awards over the years including the Sarala Shishu Prativa Samman in 2011.
