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Ruchira profiles Moumita Chatterjee, an Indian expat, staying in Bamberg, Germany. Music is her lifeforce, her medicine. Here’s her candid interview exclusively for Different Truths.
Far, far away in the little town of Bamberg in Germany lives a youthful Indian expat. Music is the love of her life. Living away from home, missing familiar faces of loved ones for nearly a decade, she naturally turns to music for emotional unwinding. Meet Moumita Chatterjee. She belongs to Howrah (near Kolkata). She has a master’s degree in Economics from Calcutta University. She also obtained a Sangeet Prabhakar in Vocal music from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, besides Sangeet Bivakar in Nazrulgeeti from Bangiya Sangeet Parishad, West Bengal.
She didn’t look for a regular job since she desired to carve out a career in music. But owing to frequent relocating, the arrival of children and household chores, music took a backseat. Thankfully, her boys are in school, which leaves her with more time on her hands. Thrilled to be able to turn to music full throttle, she is busy dishing up new programmes and presentations.
Beginning last year, she teamed up with three of her buddies and churned out an online show, ‘Soulmates 4 Ever’. This encompasses dance-music-talks based on popular themes garnered from Bengali literature.
Ruchira: How was your childhood? Were you outgoing and active? How much of it were studies, music, and home-centric activities?
Moumita: I was an outgoing and active child who would play indoors and outdoors with my male cousin, who is almost my age. I loved to play football. Even now, I play football with my sons if we happen to be on the playground. I used to help my Mom (Ma) with household chores. My maternal grandfather sang and played the Tabla. Perhaps I have inherited the initial interest in music from my mother’s side of the family. My elder sister played music at home, and I used to watch and listen to her practicing from my early childhood. Both my parents are fond of music; naturally, I became interested in music as well. Frankly, I never experienced any stress while pursuing academics and melody simultaneously. Instead, whenever I was weary of studies, I would start singing or simply listening to music which was a great stress buster. My parents always encouraged me to tackle music and studies together. There was no clash between the two except during my exams.
Ruchira: Did music retain its prime position in the next phase of your life? Were you able to juggle marriage, home life, and motherhood efficiently?
Moumita: I am both a homemaker and a career-minded woman. I always try to balance my musical career and my family. Sometimes I manage well, and sometimes I don’t. After my marriage, I moved to a remote province in West Bengal, where there was minimal opportunity to pursue music. Later in 2014, when we moved to Germany with our one-year-old son, initially, things were challenging due to linguistic barriers and family responsibilities. But I never stopped practicing and grooming myself. I seized every little opportunity to imbibe new things and enrich myself. My Guruji’s (Sh. Pradip Banerjee) advice “to sing for myself, for my happiness, and to connect with God” helped me immensely.
Ruchira: During the pandemic, you turned to social media to give vent to your musical talent. Please share the experience.
Moumita: Social media and social platforms have both advantages and disadvantages. I can reach a more extensive, greater audience worldwide through social media. For people like us (far from home), social media provides the platform to network and connect with people. These platforms allow you to listen to others and learn much from them. However, the flip side is that the negative and unconstructive comments and feedback may hit a performer and hinder his/her performance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I started an online live show for a regional folk band in West Bengal called “Naiya”. That opened new vistas for me. I performed in several live performances on digital platforms like FB and YouTube. I’ve been enjoying this social media journey. I got to know many talented people via these channels. Some people like to hear me and encourage me. My friends and family are very supportive. It inspires me to create something new.
Nevertheless, I feel a physical audience is always better since you can easily connect with them. Online is acceptable but not perfect. Lately, I have begun performing before an audience again. This gives me immense pleasure.
Ruchira: How has your career graph shaped abroad vis-a-vis India?
Moumita: Here in Germany, few festivals and stage shows are compared to India. Back home, many times during Durga puja, I used to do two stage performances during a single evening. The whole year was full of events and opportunities. But here, we don’t have all that. Usually, singers are not paid; one must pursue many people to perform. Sometimes this is demotivating. Thankfully, I get appreciated by Indian and German audiences, age no bar. People like to hear me and invite me to events. I feel blessed. However, I do miss the stage performances back home. I seldom discuss Indian music with German friends, though most prefer Bollywood music. Even though the language barrier exists, my German friends tell me they can ‘feel my music’. This is indeed an outstanding achievement.
Ruchira: Please share some memories associated with your musical journey.
Moumita: As a child artist, I performed on the radio and received an honorarium. I never forgot the day when I heard myself on the radio. At 15, I started my professional career and started performing in concerts. After my sister married and moved to the USA, I was gripped by loneliness. There were many more ups and downs in my life, but music has constantly shored me. During my first pregnancy, I faced many physical challenges which somewhat hampered my musical journey. But afterwards, I again found my peace in music. Fortunately, both my sons are fond of music and love playing musical instruments and singing with me. My elder son started learning western music at the age of six. From him, I heard so many western compositions. It is lovely to hear western music. I enjoy these musical moments and find them inspiring.
Ruchira: What is music to you?
Moumita: For me, music is medicine. Music is always there for me and in all moods. It helps a lot, mainly when I am away from my loved ones. I enjoy learning music, and there is no end to it.
I love Raag-pradhan songs. Each Raag has its unique spirit and flavour. I can connect well with them. God willing, if my voice stays in shape, I would like to keep singing till my last breath. I never count my successes or failures. I try to give my best on every occasion.
Ruchira: Would you agree a successful musical career requires many other things besides talent?
Moumita: Of course, I agree that patronage, sponsorship, and the right contacts are essential for a successful musical career. Hailing from a typical middle-class family, these are difficult. I believe money matters. Without it, nothing moves. I recall singer Kaushiki Chakraborty saying in an interview that talent is not everything. There are many talented people worldwide, but proper connections and contacts are vital for your career blossoming.
I sang a few old Hindi songs at a family gathering during a visit to my sister in the USA in 2009. These were highly applauded, and I got some contacts in different organisations in the USA. My sister later got in touch with them, and eventually, I got a chance to perform in several concerts in New Jersey, Cincinnati, etc. So, my sister’s efforts and right contacts helped me a great deal.
Ruchira: Your favourite singers?
Moumita: Ustad Bade Gulam Ali Khan, Girija Devi, Pandit Ajay Chakraborty, Rashid Khan, Subha Mudgal, Koushiki Chakraborty
Ruchira: Your views on Tagore’s Songs?
Moumita: I could not connect with Rabindra sangeet from the very outset. However, with time, I began understanding its nuances in-depth: my other Guru, the famous music composer Sh. Abhijit Bandopadhyay helped me understand Rabindranath Tagore. Nowadays, I try to sing Rabindra sangeet in my way by following the swaralipi (notations).
Ruchira: Do you nurture any dreams?
Moumita: At this age, and at this stage of my life, I don’t harbour any big dreams. I plan to continue my concerts along with online performances. Last year, I joined a music school in Nuremberg and began coaching kids of different age groups in Hindustani vocal music. I aim to propagate greater interest in Hindustani music among the new generations. Ultimately, I dream of my very own music school here in Germany.
https://www.facebook.com/moumitamusic.chatterjee.1/videos/353556582895186
Photos sourced by the interviewer
