prisita 
Music is never an artistic medium; rather, it is a deeply personal form of expression. And for us, that is exactly how it operates. The mainstream Indian music paradigm has always taken the lead. Today we are in a conversation with such an artist who has unfolded all her emotions towards Indian music.
Her primary goal is to succeed in music, not just in any industry. All I want is to polish my vocals, learn more about music, and compose quality songs. There is no peripheral need’. Says Ms.Kar
Neha Niharika Kar is currently in her third year of engineering and is also pursuing music. She has been learning Hindustani Classical music for almost seven or eight years. She has graduated from Mumbai’s Akhil Bharatiya Gandharv University Mandal’s 4th Year in Hindustani Vocal with Distinction. Neha participated in The Voice India Kids on 2016 &TV. She had an exciting experience. It was incredibly useful for her to step outside of her comfort zone, learn new musical methods, and be groomed by the best teachers. Shekhar Ravjiani, Shaan, and other judges gave her singing high marks. She has established herself as a national treasure and a great musician. On 2022, she competed in India’s Got Talent as well. She stated that since it’s not solely a singing show, it was different there. However, the musical intensity remained preserved, and it was a pleasant experience to be there.
How would you define the term “artist” to music?
Music is God to me. I can express myself via music and connect with God. When it comes to beauty, music is like an ocean; the deeper you go, the more you discover. I believe that as an artist, you should give your everything to the song and the music. Only then will our songs reach them on a deep level. Showing off how much you’ve learned or how much better you can sing than everyone else is not the point of music. There’s always room for improvement because music never ends. Always attempt to capture the spirit of a song and become lost in it as an artist.
How long have you been a music fan and what was the foundation like?
I was born with music in my life. When she was younger, my paternal grandma sang and played the harmonium. The music of my maternal grandfather is Odissi. Additionally, my parents appear to be quite interested in Hindi and Odia music. Therefore, the impact of music has been around for a while. My father first pushed me to pursue formal music training. I also began studying Hindustani Classical, which served as the foundation for my singing. Learning classical music is a great way for a vocalist to lay the groundwork for their craft. It improves our understanding of music theory, pitch, rhythm, and everything else. I have my foundation in classical music, which has helped me greatly throughout the years.
Is it challenging to get noticed as a musician in a field like Ollywood?
In a competitive sector like Ollywood, recognition can come from both hard work and good fortune. One song will do the trick. You can’t predict when that one song will change your life. Even if you put in a lot of effort, your song might not end up becoming a great hit. Additionally, you might write an ordinary song that becomes incredibly popular. The audience’s preferences are constantly shifting. But I’ve had the good fortune to collaborate with several of Odisha’s top musicians, including Premanand Sir, Abhijit Majumdar Sir, Malaya Mishra Sir, Manmath Mishra Sir, and Baidyanath Dash Sir. Now, people are familiar with me. Here, there is still work to be done. I’ve contributed my voice to several songs from Odia movies, including Balma Pyare from Tu Bhari Beautiful and To Nisa Nisa Aakhire from Prasthanam. There have already been four songs from films released, and there will be many more. Additionally, there are many of my songs on YouTube, including the recently famous O Saheba, Rupasi Janha, and Jagannatha Swami. There is a tonne of other tracks in the pipeline.
How did you feel when you made your first studio recording of a song?
My first recording session was exciting and terrifying at the same time. Sincere speaking, singing in the studio and singing live on stage is very different. To perform better when singing in a studio, one requires a lot of expertise. It was great. I made a lot of errors, but I also gained knowledge. It was a fantastic time to learn and try new things. After that, I had numerous opportunities to record songs and I sharpened my talents. Now, when I’m recording a song, I feel very confident.
What difficulties did you experience as a young person working in this field?
Every artistic discipline faces unique difficulties. This is a field of ambiguity, in a contrast to study. It’s difficult to stand out from among the innumerable striving singers. In addition to singing, you have a lot of additional responsibilities. All of these factors matter, including the quality of your voice, your distinctive singing style, how you portray yourself, how you engage the audience, and how well you get along with those in the business. Above all else, luck also counts. I initially had a lot of rejection. My songs were occasionally replaced by those of different singers. I prepared thoroughly and worked on my voice. But there is still much to be done. Music has no boundaries, as I already stated.
And finally, how will you respond to the interview times?
Last but not least, it was a true pleasure talking to you. I wish you great success in your field and do well with your upcoming interviews. Stay safe and stay musical!
INTERVIEWED BY- PRISITA DAS
