She is a Kolkata girl, a Xaverian at that, now going places with her music. Rocking her college festivals back in the day as a support act for the biggies that came to perform, Tritha, like most youngsters of the country, grew up to the songs of R.D Burman and the Mangeshkar sisters, Asha and Lata. She sang their songs with aplomb on stage and soon found her own voice, having learnt Indian classical all along.
Today, with over 100 songs and 16 albums to her credit, Tritha is scouting the globe performing with a number of European musicians exploring rock, jazz and even electronic music. She had her own band in France but is now concentrating on her solo career, performing specially tailored sets at music and literature festivals, composing songs for films, but all the while foregrounding her Indian roots as she explores and experiments with various strands of world music. A DJ console is also part of her act.
Back in the city to perform at the Kolkata Jazzfest 2023 at Dalhousie Institute over the weekend, she will also chaperon a long lost Kolkata singer to the stage, singing a disco song along with her. Festival Director Varun Desai, who is also a friend from college, thought Tritha would be the best bet to re-introduce Rupa Biswas (70) to the city as she sings her song Aaj Shanibar three decades after Disco Jazz, the album showcasing the track, was recorded in Canada and released here.
A series of astounding developments have today ensured that Disco Jazz, released in India in 1982 only to sink without a trace thereafter, has been resurrected by GenZ, courtesy some curious music lovers and YouTube algorithms that kicked in once bootleg versions of the album were uploaded. For the record, Aaj Shanibar has over two million views on YouTube, enjoying a second life after it was re-issued by a well-established archival record label.
“I have studied Indian classical music (khayal and dhrupad) in Kolkata for almost 30 years now,” says Tritha. “But somehow life took me on a global adventure, and I ended up working with a number of European musicians be it in rock, jazz or even electronic music.”
And that’s exactly why Jazzfest 2023 got Tritha and Rupa together. In a freewheeling chat with My Kolkata, Tritha talks of her journey so far, her music and her future projects.
My Kolkata: How is it to be back in Kolkata to perform?
Tritha: Super! I have written more than 100 songs. At the Jazzfest, I’ll be singing around nine songs from my albums, Panchamama, Raagas in Paris and Pagli. These are the albums that have actually done very well in the last 10 years.
Who all are in your band for this concert?
I am playing with my longtime friend from college Gaurab 'Gaboo' Chatterjee (drums), who is also the son of Gautam Chattopadhyay. We have never played together, but now, finally, I am getting a chance to play with him. Then there’s Mainak 'Bumpy' Nag Chowdhury (bass). I really like his style, and he also respects Indian classical traditions. So, we will be doing some sawal-jawab interactions. Then there’s Bodhisattwa Ghosh (guitar) and Gala Soler (saxophone), an Argentinian friend flying in specially for the concert.
How did the idea of collaborating with Rupa Biswas come about?
It was Varun Desai’s (Director of Jazzfest 2023) idea. I have done lots of collaborations, which is perhaps why Varun saw the connection and similarity with Rupadi. He wanted to feature me with an older woman singer to symbolise the coming together of two generations. I am so glad it is happening with Rupadi. I found her to be very warm and kind. She likes my voice and my singing. She is also very excited.
What will you be performing with Rupa Biswas?
We will do one song of hers, Aaj Shanibar from her 1982 album Disco Jazz.
What are your songs about?
I write about social issues. Usually on and around the environment, women. I have written lots of songs on corruption. As an artiste, my work tries to reflect all that is going on in society, and also preserve Indian classical and folk traditions. These form the basis of my work.
Your song Machher Bajar (Fish Market) is actually about corruption, right?
Yes. I was also featured by BBC for the Bangla song, which was written with my French band.
Are you performing it?
I wish I could. But I thought it might be too much of a rock song for a jazz fest.
Tell us about your music.
In the last 10 years I have released almost 16 albums. I have also tried to stick to my roots and originality, whether it is an Indian raag or my own song that I am performing. My music is either provocative, like say Machher Bajar, or it is for healing and contemplation. I want to make Indian classical music accessible to the young generation. For that I try to tap into the amazing wisdom and vibrations of raags.
Where are you based?
I have been living in Goa for the last three years. Before that I was living between Delhi and Paris. I have lived in France for almost 15 years. Also, thanks to this French band that happened — we ran it for almost 10 years — we got to travel to many countries. I have also performed at a lot of rock and world music festivals, and travelled and played in places like Madagascar, Malaysia and all over Europe.
I believe you have had a Cannes moment?
I sang the title song for Voyage for Change, a French film. The film won an award called Cup of Heart in 2019. I was invited to Cannes to sing the song at the festival after we received the award. That is a very special moment for me in my journey.
Other highlights of your career?
I have worked with Mallika Sarabhai, who went on to describe me as having a "golden voice". I have also worked with Shivamani.
What are the projects you are working on now?
Soon after the Jazzfest gig, I will be going to Goa where I will be headlining La La Land. It’s a Dutch initiative to have an Indian edition of the festival in Goa. They have asked me to do something different. So, I will be collaborating with a visual artist who is working with AI and making amazing interpretations of Indian gods and goddesses. I will be singing mantras to a beat. Also, I am actually inviting a rapper, a saxophonist and a Kathak dancer. It’s going to be a completely different show from the one I am doing at the Jazzfest.
You tune your shows to themes?
I am more like a conductor, composer and producer. I curate my experiences. For the Jazzfest, I’ve got these musicians together, and I have chosen nine songs from over 100 of my songs, which I think will work for the Jazzfest. For La La Land, which is a family festival, I am choosing the kind of songs that will make people happy and dance. I always start with a very Indian beginning, showing where I come from, and from there I move to a modern space. I am there with my DJ console showing that a woman in a sari is also able to handle electronic toys and be in touch with the modern.
Anything else?
Next week, I am going to Paris, and the week after to London for concerts. In Paris, I will attend the premiere of a French film. I have done a song for the film which is about Bodh Gaya and its sacred caves. The film has been made against the backdrop of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and I have been called to perform the song. In London, I will be doing a solo show at the Nehru Centre.
You are going places, and taking India and a bit of Kolkata with you.
My workplace has become the globe. I have, till now, travelled to over 20 countries. I think my voice is finally being celebrated.
