When sisters Suchismita and Debopriya meet, there is lots of music, laughter and secrets to share. “We both are married and lead our own lives. When we meet to perform together for these kinds of music concerts, we use this opportunity to talk and share all our secrets. We are very close to each other and this is a good escape from our families,” laughs Suchismita. The duo was in Hyderabad for their performance at the Sailing Annexe in Secunderabad and enraptured peoples’ hearts and soul with their flute rendition.
Born in a family of musicians, Suchismita and Debopriya initially pursued vocals and Kathak. “The idea of learning flute was initiated by our father who couldn’t live his dream. He asked if we wanted to take it up and things fell in place,” recalls Debopriya. As disciples of legendary flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia, the sisters created a niche for themselves. “Initially eyebrows were raised when we took up flute. People were sceptical about girls learning to play the flute. They would be like ‘Learn dance or any other instrument. Why flute?’ But with blessings of our guruji, we managed to sail through,” says Debopriya and adds, “In foreign countries, women playing flute is not an unusual thing but playing the bamboo flute is different,” points out Debopriya. The sisters have more than 15 years of experience as women flautists and have toured together and individually across the globe along with their guru Hariprasad Chaurasia.
Speaking about challenges of playing a bamboo reed, Debopriya says flute is very soothing and melodious to listen to but not an easy instrument to play. “One needs strong lung power to blow flute for hours. It is challenging as one also needs to hold a flute for hours and fingers start hurting. Earlier we would practice for six hours daily but now with other commitments, we practice for two hours,” she shares.
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Suchismita says the excitement levels are high as the duo performed together for the first time in city. “We have come to Hyderabad individually but this is the first time we are performing together in Hyderabad. “There is also a bit of nervousness a day before the concert. We like to spend time together and do a bit of reading,” she says. The duo claims they work well as a team during their performances. “There are challenges in our lives and sometimes that may affect our music. If I am unwell or depressed about something, she has the capacity to uplift the music on stage and vice versa,” says Suchismita as Debopriya quips, “There is no competition between us and we complement each other. We do not want to prove a point or defeat the other. We try to make a session beautiful with our flute rendition.”
While Suchismita is part of Stree Shakti, an all-female percussion band, Debopriya is part of classical music band Sakhi. The sisters are looking forward for their concert with violin sisters Lalitha and Nandini in Bengaluru next year.