One an actress, the other a singer. Both united by their common passion for Bengal. And, oh yes, their ready wit! Nafisa Ali Sodhi and Kavita Krishnamurthy were in town for a Ladies Study Group (LSG) session at Taj Bengal recently. The fun session was the last event in outgoing president Namrata Sureka’s tenure.
“My Bengal connection is destiny. My aunt Pratima Bhattacharya and my mother were inseparable friends. We were a vegetarian family and they were a non-vegetarian family and I learnt to eat non-vegetarian from my aunt. I grew up close to her, so I was brought up like a Bengali girl. Both families believed in music and that’s how I started learning Tagore music in Delhi and slowly went on to learn Hindustani music. For me, everything that happened was from Bengal,” said Kavita.
She went on to recount her decades-long musical journey and her special chord with Bengali music maestros like Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, “Manna Dey uncle”, Kishore Kumar and R.D. Burman. “Half of them thought I was Bengali because I used to speak more Bengali that Tamil! I believe that in my past life I must have been a Bengali,” said the singer.
Mr. India’s Hawa hawaii was her big break and the “darpok singer” in her became brave only by singing Sridevi songs. She sang a few lines of Pyar hua chupke se and then Hawa hawaii, this time with Usha Uthup for company. What’s the secret behind her honeyed voice, we asked. “One thing I do have every day is honey and ginger,” she signed off.
Nafisa’s golden words for the women in the room? “It is important to understand that growing old is a process,” said the alumnus of La Martiniere for Girls.
Namrata Sureka looked back at her eventful tenure as LSG president...
How did you spend the day after your term got over?
It was just another day, definitely more relaxing. I was in a state of euphoria! I spent more time with my family, my grandchild Veer and with the children at my NGO, Ektara, which I missed out on sometimes because of my busy schedule at LSG.
If you had to recap the year in a flash, what are the first things that come to mind?
Unforgettable! It’s a mixed bag of feelings, starting with excitement, anticipation, apprehension and finally ending with a sense of achievement and satisfaction when each event turned out to be a meaningful and rewarding one.
‘Look Beyond: Be The Catalyst’ was your theme. How have you realised this theme over the year?
My theme actually meant looking beyond our comfort zone to bring about a change. The realisation of this theme found its best expression in our fundraiser for the children of the Thakurpukur cancer institute (Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre & Research Institute).
What are your tips for incoming president Madhulika Kanoria?
To start off I would say, Madhulika, enjoy every moment of this wonderful platform that LSG has given you as the president. There will be a lot of highs and lows, but just keep going with a positive spirit as we have a great support system which is our committee and members. I wish you a great year ahead!
Namrata’s S.W.O.T.
Strength: I was able to present meaningful events that were enjoyed by the members and I feel each one had a takeaway.
Weakness: Not being able to fulfil my wish list.
Opportunities: For me it was a great opportunity to interact with a cross-section of eminent and unique personalities. It also gave me a chance to experience the camaraderie with my LSG members.
Threats: Last-minute jitters!
