New playback singers in Oriya film industry

Sohini Mishra, an Indian Idol contestant from Cuttack, has gained popularity after her stint on the show. Classically trained, Sohini’s family had originally wanted her to pursue another profession and keep singing as a pastime. “But the show changed my life. Early in my career, I used to be ignored by the industry. But that’s a thing of the past and people recognize me now,” she says.

Bishnu Mohan Kabi considers himself lucky as he was born into a family of musicians. “Music was my passion and it is now my profession. My career changed when I bagged the state-level first position in a reality show. After that, my voice was widely recognized,” he says. With offers coming one by one, Kabi has films like Rumku Jhumana, Rudra, Tanka Tote Salam and Bachelor to his credit.

Amrita Bharati Panda of Mun and Sandehi Priyatama fame also attributes her rising careergraph to a reality show at the national level. “My musical journey started in childhood. I always had an ear for taal and I started stage performances at an early age. But my career got a boost when I featured among the top 12 contestants of Indian Idol Season 6,” she feels.

Antara Chakraborty, feels that the industry offers enough scope to newbies to perform and be recognized. “I started singing on stage when I was only four years old, but I had never dreamt I would become a full-time singer. Then I sang for my first Odia album and realised that my future lies here,” Antara says. Singing with Udit Narayan for the film Mun Diwana To Pain is one of the high points in her fledgling career. “He had even offered me work in some new projects,” adds Antara, who plans to relocate to Mumbai after finishing her post-graduation.

Aseema Panda, known for her songs in Matric Fail, Love Master, Hari Om Hari and Daha Balunga – the biggest high is the appreciation of people. “I had a few bad experiences as some of the earlier films I worked in didn’t release. Then some of my songs went on to be hits and people started recognizing me,” she feels. Aseema though is not sure if she wants to take up singing as a full-time career. “There are many uncertainties in this profession. But, as of now, I am enjoying singing.” (Source – The Times of India)