National Award winner Iman Chakraborty fearlessly expresses her feelings honestly in her music
Singer Iman Chakraborty
For National Award-winning singer Iman Chakraborty, there was no choice but to become a singer. Iman’s mother, a retired music teacher from a prestigious private school, had already decided during her pregnancy that she would name the child Iman (a raga) irrespective of its gender and make her a singer.
“Actually, my mother pursued this dream and my upbringing was such that everything led to music. So what you see me today is the result of my mother’s dream. Since I was born, I was surrounded by music, it was not a choice, it was a part of my life like food, water, oxygen and light. I too never thought of any other profession. When other kids my age said they wanted to be a doctor or a pilot, I said I would be a singer,” says Iman, one of the leading female voices in the Bengali film and indie music scene.
Iman, whose song Amar Dukhhe Tumi from the recently released film “Ajogya touches every loving heart with his lyrics and reveals everything about their love for music.”
What does World Music Day mean to you?
For me, every day is a music day because I am a singer and I don’t understand or do anything other than music and I can’t live without music. But like everyone else, this is a special day for me and on this special day I always feel more motivated as a singer to do better work musically.
Music is my life. I can’t think or do anything other than music. All my emotions are expressed through music. Whether I’m crying, hurt, laughing or happy, the emotions find their expression in music.
What kind of music inspires you?
Every kind of music inspires me in one way or another. It doesn’t have to be classical, folk or Tagore songs, it can be any genre. I listen to them all, even the ones I don’t like. I believe that without the blessings of Ma Saraswati, no music can be created.
What attracts me to a song is its lyrical richness. Words are very important to me because they add colour to compositions and that is why I loved singing Tumi Jakey Bhalobasho (the song from Praktan that won her the National Award) so much.
How has your taste in music evolved?
Whenever I have interacted with musicians, I have unconsciously and organically adopted their musical preferences, which have blended with my own style. I love simple, emotional songs that have a timeless appeal and evoke the same emotions every time you hear them.
After my marriage with Nilanjan (composer), I started listening to more English songs. I love Beyoncé Knowles and Adele, and Lady Gaga is my inspiration. I love Cardi B’s performance and I also love Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran.
What lessons have you learned so far on your musical journey?
As a musician, you have to be very honest with your feelings. If they are layered and you are afraid to show them, the audience will see it as sensationalism. A singer has to be fearless and honest about his feelings.
I am a very fearless and honest person – you can see my anger, my sadness and my elation. I have been through many bad periods in my life, but I have never let them get me down and I don’t like to carry baggage around with me. I forget the incidents, but not the people who caused them.
Also, I never misbehave with newbies as I know how it feels to be humiliated. Through Iman Chakraborty Productions, we support many upcoming musicians who are doing great work. We started this in 2020 during the pandemic and since then we have been supporting many young people in releasing their singles.
I learn and get inspired by my failures. Whenever I see someone much bigger than me staying grounded professionally, I am so inspired. I am also amazed when newcomers effortlessly record and film music. I want to be a relevant and timeless musician and to do that you have to constantly evolve and be disciplined.
How do you deal with professional low points?
Sometimes I too feel very desperate, depressed and anxious, but in such moments music saves me. There is no room for loss in my vocabulary. I have made it this far after many struggles and I cannot give up because of stress.
Would you like to sing a duet with someone?
Arijit Singh… I haven’t done any duets with him yet, but I’m imagining it right now and hoping that maybe some kind-hearted musician will read this interview and plan something with us.
Photos: Debarshi Sarkar / Styling: Abhisek Roy / Red sari and blouse: Bohurupi Santiniketan, Corset and skirt – Rohan Pariyar / Hair and makeup: Tapsee Paul / Location courtesy: Trincas
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