Tapolabdha Sardar of Vivekananda Mission School Joka wants to pursue music as a career

Tapolabdha Sardar received her first music lessons when she was four. A decade later, the Class X student of Vivekandanda Mission School, Joka, continues to train in classical music and practise for long hours to fulfil her dream of taking up music as a profession. The Edugraph 18 Under 18 winner mesmerised the audience with her soulful singing at the awards ceremony at GD Birla Sabhagar on March 22.

The beginning of a journey

The young singer has been training in classical and semi-classical music in the Patiala Gharana. “I started learning music at the age of four. My mother is a trained but amateur singer. So, initially I started learning under her guidance. Then I was enrolled in Shrutinandan, Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty’s music academy. I have been learning there for 11 years,” she said.

Musical reality shows

Tapolabdha made it to the finals of Superstar Singer, a reality show on Sony TV in 2019, and Sangg Geet Juniors, an online music competition. “All the finalists of Superstar Singer received a scholarship of Rs 25,000 to help them go ahead in music and education,” she said.

The next year, in 2020, came Sangg Geet Juniors Season 1. “It was a wonderful experience. We had several rounds of competition, probably six or seven. Those rounds were judged by Shailaja Subramanian. We also had a few sessions with her, where she taught us how to sing in different languages and genres. We were given a few videos to help us practise. I received a scholarship of Rs 1 lakh,” Tapolabdha said.

She missed classes for five-six months when she took part in Superstar Singer but her teachers ensured that she did not fall behind.

“Tapolabdha has participated in several competitions and programmes organised in our institution. Her passion for music took a turn when she was selected among the top 16 in Sony Superstar Singer in 2019. When she missed school, her father would collect study material from school so that she could stay abreast of lessons. We have always encouraged her and truly appreciate her belief that music is the only medicine that our heart and soul need,” said Sarmistha Banerjee, principal, Vivekananda Mission School, Joka.

Inspiration and learnings

Tapolabdha’s greatest inspiration is her mother. “I also look up to my guruji Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty. He not only just teaches us music but also about sustainable development in all fields such as education and music,” she said.

Music has also taught her discipline. “Apart from music or singing, I have been taught how to increase concentration. At Shrutinandan, we are taught to respect each other and how one should behave with elders and juniors,” Tapolabdha said. She made the most of home confinement during the pandemic by practising for hours. “The lockdown gave me so much extra time to practise. I also learnt various instruments like ukulele, guitar and tabla,” she said.

Balancing studies and music

“I usually wake up at 6am and practise for about two to two-and-a-half hours every day. Then I get ready and go to school. I come home at 6pm, study for a few hours and then practise music for one-and-a-half hours. Before dinner, I study again for some time,” the VMS Joka student said.

Winning the 18 Under 18 award has fired her up even more. “It was beyond my expectations. The award has inspired me to do better in life. Earlier, I wanted to be a cardiologist but now I think I should pursue music as my secondary profession as well,” said Tapolabdha.