"I Write Songs That Convey a Pallette of Emotion, Mostly From Longing and Nostalgia" - Nabanita Sarkar

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1.Tell us more about your background and journey.

I am an independent singer-songwriter from Kolkata, India with influences sinking deep into folk, bluegrass, pop, disco and jazz. I come from a humble background, living with my working parents and dozen of lazy pets. My LLM and active social work keeps me busy throughout the year and it's only the passion, awareness and love for music that calms me down at the end of the day. I write songs that convey a pallette of emotion, mostly from longing and nostalgia. I have YT, SoundCloud channels where you'll find the emo ones. Lol.

I've been part of unique musical collaborations across genres with an EP and album to display. Right now I'm playing for "Bluegrass Journeymen" from the States, "Mondegreen" and "Driftwood Band", we've toured India, played concerts, festivals, clubs, etc. and I've been lucky to have formed bands with my dearest friends, brings me such joy to see our sound and friendship flourish over the years!


2. When did you first decide you wanted to pursue music and how did you start?

During my under grad years, I took part in a lot of inter college fests with bands and also solo, later formed professional projects that allowed me to travel India. I started writing my original music with the experiences I gathered, recorded them and played shows my own, only then did I think of pursuing it as a career.

3. Who is your favorite artist and why?

I wish I could narrow it down to just one person. I've got tons of influences, both eastern and western. But this one artist that I keep revisiting every now and then is Chris Thile, an American mandolinist.

4. Can you throw some light on opportunities one gets as a singer?

As a singer I think there are huge opportunities but unfortunately I incline more towards songwriting, composing and pour my heart to the indie scene and as far as local clubs go, they aren't very interested in giving original music an opportunity so bit bleak for me.

5. Is format training required or can one train themselves purely on the basis of talent?

Born into a Bengali family, I was blessed to have formal training in Indian classical and contemporary music. I used that knowledge to curve my Western style from the internet. So I guess both went hand in hand for me.

6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists?

Practice music, write your own music. Inspire me and others! Don't be a sell out!

7. Which is your favorite book and why?

Ah, wish I could narrow it down but will tell you about what's keeping my thoughts collected these days, Yoga Vasistha, yet to complete it though. Might learn Sanskrit this year.

- Nabanita Sarkar (IG: sarkar_nabanita)

Interview by - Abhirup Dey