Chandra Chakraborty has been groomed by Maestro A Kanan, Vidushi Malabika Kanan and Padmabibhushan Girija Devi. Chandra is a Gold Medallist, National Scholar and she was a Research Scholar Of ITC Sangeet Research Academy. Chandra is considered the best North Indian Female Classical and Semi-Classical Vocalist in the West. As a solo vocalist, Chandra performs all over the world on a regular basis. She is the pioneer of Live musicals based on famous female vocalists. Chandra is the Founder and CEO of Kalakar Arts UK and she was also the Co-Founder and artistic director of Saudha Society of Poetry and Indian Music. In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, she spoke about musicals and her latest project - Naari.
Please tell us about Naari: Epic Women in War and Romance.
This historic project based on the timeless Indian epic Mahabharata is aimed at highlighting and promoting the universal idea of women’s well-being who have directly or indirectly faced violence in everyday life. Female characters known for their enduring 'resilience' draw out emotional complexities in times of war and upheaval through a series of reflective pieces weaving a traditional tale with contemporary twists.
The show produces fusion art forms of music, dance, drama, and narratives that address gender and empowerment, hidden voices, and echoes from the underground.
The musical will bear Kalakar Arts’ signature - Hindustani Classical music, and acting at its flawless best. And to raise the majestic appeal further up, it will be aptly laced by high standard Kathak and Odissi recitals.
The story will be told in a unique light - a perspective that no other musicals or shows have ever done before. Apart from some powerful Sanskrit verses, the narration will be done mainly in English and lucidly, keeping the global audience in mind.
What according to you is the importance of musicals in art and films?
The musical I do has a close affinity with Western Opera. This is a combined art form - music and story-telling in a theatrical setting.
Because I am a classical singer, I tell a story using the power of the most ancient art form of the world - Indian classical music. Therefore, this expands the audience network and engages the audience more effectively. Those who are not core listeners of classical music, get intrigued by the storyline and then explore how music intensifies the flow of the story. And those who love pure classical music, discover a new and engaging way of presenting a relevant story that, in another way, interprets more the essence of Ragas I sing and eventually, they go home with a new take on Raga music and off-course, with the premise of the story and the message that we try to pass on to the audience.
What are the challenges of depicting women empowerment via art?
I don't think there is any challenge in depicting women empowerment via art. There are challenges that a woman artist faces just because she is a woman. The challenge is everywhere in the male-dominant music industry. They have to fight with so many negative stereotypes, so many hindrances but I think a woman has to raise her voice through her arts. I am not a believer in the paradigm or movement that is known as Art for Art's sake. Art and music that I do is the only way to express the challenges I go through in my day-to-day life and to build up mass awareness or to challenge, even to protest accordingly.
I chose my script and I chose the music I present and thus we can practice our freedom in choosing the themes and messages we would like to convey through my musicals but then, the only challenge, you may say, is the common stereotype in a patriarchal mindset, which is - anything in relation to women is trivial etc. I am sure women are breaking this with their powerful contribution in arts and with depicting women empowerment in arts, too.
The musicals that I have been doing are directly related to the core women empowerment issues and fortunately, these were sold out shows; more men enjoyed the shows than even women and they found our shows quite eye-opening.
Women for the longest time have been the backbone of musicals. What is your take on this?
Yes, female figures are usually the backbone of the musicals although the tradition of musicals in the Indian subcontinent isn't that common. Even singing some genres of classical music was indirectly prohibited for women. Dhrupad even Kheyal used to be positioned as male-arts and prominent musicologists like Dhurjatiprasad Mukhopadhyay in Bengal took female singers to task for singing Kheyal, not so many years ago. I am sure women are proving it silently and giving an appropriate reply to this through the phenomenal works they are doing.
The musical will be staged at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan on Sat 5th March from 6:30 pm.
Tickets can be purchased through Bhavan’s website or by emailing [email protected]
