Sandipa Dutta, a renowned musician, was in the top 20 in Indian Idol 2. She has sung for the musical web series for MX player named ‘ Times of music ‘ under the guidance of the legend Viju Shah and Mithoon, which won Filmfare. She has performed for various projects like- the film ‘Firebrand’ for Netflix and background music for the film Kaagaz.
Amongst one of her most significant works, she sang for a Madhur Bhandarkar film named ‘India Lockdown’, which will release in a few months.
1-Hey, Sandipa Dutta, great to have you for an interview. What first got you into music?
Well, I don’t even remember when I started singing songs. My mom says I used to sing anything in proper pitch since when I started speaking. So she used to teach me primarily at home. Later I started learning Hindustani classical music from my guruji Smt Mitali Sengupta, commercial music from Smt Indrani sen and Opera music from Ken Henson. But of course, participation in Indian Idol and getting rave reviews from the judges like Sonu Nigam, Farah Khan and Anu malik changed my life. Since then, I started doing live gigs, playbacks in films, jingles and singles.
2-Are you from a musical family background?
Yes, my mom is an outstanding singer and my granny used to play the sitar. So I grew up listening to Bade Ghulam Ali, Pandit Ajay Chakravorty, John Denver, Michael Jackson and many more good artists.
3-Who inspired you to be part of this music industry?
There is only one name that has always inspired me since childhood: AR Rahman. My dream is to work with him.
4-Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I wish to collaborate with Sid Sriram or Ali Sethi. I love their singing.
5-Did your style evolve since the beginning of your career? How?
Yes, it had undergone a lot of changes. I always had a very different textured tone. I was more classically inclined initially. But later, when opera music was introduced, my style changed a lot. These techniques help me sing the desired styles in Bollywood. Composers whom I work with love experimenting with my voice.
6-Tell us about your best and worse performance experience?
The best experience is when people who love to listen to you give a crazy response in live shows. They dance, they sing with you. Some crazy college students followed to the hotel for an autograph. Feels good.
Well, the worst experience I haven’t yet experienced with people. But when gigs get interrupted due to natural calamities, it feels awful. So worst is when I cant perform.
7-If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?
I would love to open a show for the legend A.R Rahman, sir; it would be an honour to welcome him on stage and then let him do his magic. It would be a soulful experience to see him perform.
8-What would you be doing now if it weren’t for your music career?
Coming from educated family background, I had to complete my studies before entering the music industry. So I did Masters in Computer Application and worked in an MNC for some time. I might have continued that if it wasn’t for music.
9-What are the projects you are working on?
I have recently worked on a few film songs. I can’t speak about all of them due to protocol. But I am very excited to mention I made my debut in the Bollywood film “India Lockdown”, directed by Madhur Bhandarkar. This is going to release soon. Apart from that, I am working on my single video song.
10-What best advice you’ve been given, and would you like to share for upcoming musicians?
My guru used to say never lose patience until you make it. So I would tell if you are a singer or composer or instrument player, you should keep your focus, and one day you will live your dream.
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