Within minutes of the National Awards being announced last Friday, Iman Chakraborty went from newcomer to popular musician. Her social media timelines were flooded with congratulatory messages, and her mobile phone rang non-stop.
Iman, 28, won the best playback singer award for her soulful number “Tumi Jaake Bhalobasho” from Praktan . The film, which marked the return of Bengal’s favourite on-screen couple Prosenjit Chatterjee and Rituparna Sengupta, was also Iman’s first as a playback singer.
Did she expect such early recognition? “This is beyond imagination,” she says, choking back tears. “I had so many dreams for myself. So much I want to achieve but I didn’t think of this in my wildest dream.”
Iman is currently doing a PhD on Satyajit Ray's background score from Rabindra Bharati University. A trained Hindustani classical singer, Iman’s love for Ranbindra Sangit – songs written and composed by Tagore – is paramount. “I started learning music from my mother, the late Krishna Chakraborty. And as I was growing up, I got consumed by the world of Tagore. I think the fondness comes from his richness in lyrics,” she explains.
Iman, who hails from a small town, Liluah, in Howrah, confesses that she could never think of a life without music. “I always wanted to become a professional singer. Can’t think of myself doing anything but music,” she says.
A scene from the Bengali movie ‘Praktan’
Her first break came when she approached Saregama, and the label decided to produce her first album ‘Bosh te dio kanche’. The album consisted of renditions of a few songs by Tagore. “When you recreate Tagore’s song, you have to be as authentic as possible. The interpretation shouldn’t be changed,” she says.
It was this independent work that got the attention of the multi-talented Anupam Roy. “One day I received a call from Anupam da and he offered me a chance to sing for him. It was surreal,” Iman recalls.
Anupam Roy, song writer-composer-singer and a revered name in the industry, wrote the song “Tumi Jaake Bhalobasho” in 2011. He says it was “the texture and tonality of her voice” that attracted him.
“I liked her work and I was looking for a fresh voice, thought it could help the song and it did,” the composer, who helmed Piku, says told The Hindu.
Post- Praktan , there are many offers coming her way. “I am not just going to concentrate on film music but I have things in mind for independent work as well. As I got immersed in the world of music I realised my love for different genres, like Indian folk.”
Is Bollywood the next big dream? “Given an opportunity, definitely yes. I just established myself in the Bengali film industry and it’s not easy to abandon the world here and head out for another journey in Mumbai. But having said that, I will make sure I sing at least one hit Hindi song,” she says, laughing.
