Young music sensation Antara Nandy, who shot to fame as a finalist in a kids’ singing competition on television, has since captured the hearts of music lovers with her original compositions, albums and playback songs in several Indian languages. The prolific songwriter and recording artiste recently toured the USA for the first time, playing to jam-packed auditoriums during her performances at some of the biggest and oldest Durga Pujas organised by the Bengali diaspora in that part of the world.

“There is an added excitement that is associated with introducing an artiste for the first time to the North American Bengalis. Antara Nandy’s voice attracted me. The young singer who had previously recorded songs with A.R. Rahman recorded her first-ever original Bengali song with us last year. With the hope that the music-loving audience of the US will embrace her, we triggered off Antara’s first tour this Pujas,” said Jonai Singh, who managed and organised Antara’s maiden concert tour of the USA.

Northern Virginia Durga Puja was Antara’s first stop in the US. Styled in a pale blue dress, the glamorous young singer took the stage, strumming her ukulele as she sang popular numbers, taking the audience along on a melodious and enchanting journey. The 23-year-old singer also entertained audiences in Boston, Dallas, Atlanta and New Jersey.

At all her concerts, Antara was overwhelmed with the response of her audience, who knew all her latest Puja numbers and flooded her with requests to perform them. The audience often sang along with her recent hit Nakku nakur (from the Bengali film Raktabeej), while others got on their feet to do the hook step with Ailo Uma barite (her Puja single featuring Monami Ghosh). At some cities, the audience sat and listened to her songs with quiet enjoyment. Nevertheless, it was clear throughout that Antara’s Puja songs had struck a chord with all her audiences. “When you have an audience who appreciates your art it is a very satisfying and motivating feeling,” commented Antara.

“When your newest released songs are being requested by audiences, even in a distant land, then as a singer you are affirmed that the song is a hit. These superhit Puja songs followed Antara throughout her debut US tour, from Dallas to South Jersey, Atlanta to Boston. The love that was showered by Bengali NRIs on Antara gives us the conviction of continuing our work with her and other young artistes,” observed Singh.

“I am going back home with a happy heart. In all the five shows that I did, I was requested to sing my own songs, be it my Puja numbers or my first playback with Rahman Sir. What made me emotional was that the Bengali audience wanted to hear my Tamil song, Alaikadal (from the movie Ponniyin Selvan: I) and that was my biggest gift, I think. I came here to work but it seems that I have built an extended family and returning home,” chimed the young singer happily.

“My debut US tour was phenomenal and will be etched in my heart forever. It’s way more than I ever imagined it to be. When we were first planning the trip with Jonai Aunty (Singh), I was a little anxious. But she took care of the small details, from curating the set list to the outfits to be worn at each concert. Her continued mentoring coupled with the lovely audience and the warm hospitality that greeted me in every city, took all my fears away,” concluded Antara.