Know Why And How Nandy Sisters Are Winning Hearts With ‘Dalkhai Re’ And ‘Rangabati’

Know Why And How Nandy Sisters Are Winning Hearts With ‘Dalkhai Re’ And ‘Rangabati’

The digital era is definitely making the world a very small place, and of course that’s the
reason behind art and culture evolving each day and the artists too. If you are a music lover
then you may have noticed the singer duo Nandy sisters, Antara Nandy and Ankita Nandy
who are going viral singing different regional folk songs in their special series called ‘Balcony
Concert’.

Recently they have done a fusion of two Sambalpuri hit songs, ‘Dalkhai Re’ and ‘Rangabati’
on the 21 st episode of their series. The video is being appreciated hugely, and of course
Odias are showing it immense love. They not only sang it well but also wore Sambalpuri
sarees and introduced themselves in Odia with almost perfect pronunciation.

The sisters informed My City Links that the idea of a Balcony Concert came to their mind
very randomly during the lockdown. Although they both used to sing together since
childhood, studies kept them occupied and they hardly got any time to perform. But the
lockdown gave them the opportunity to perform together and that’s how they started singing
together again and decided to put them on social media.

Talking about how it all began, they said, “Both of us were missing ‘Bihu’ celebrations at our
native. Wearing traditional Assamese mekhela chadar, we were just singing an Assamese
song along with playing yueqin. Mom recorded a video of this and when we watched it we
felt it was good. So we posted it on social media and it became viral. Even the Health and
Finance minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma shared our video on his social media
handles.That’s when we realized that our little effort was able to entertain people during the
pandemic. So we decided to take it forward.”

As they began with an Assamese song and they hailed from Assam, it was not difficult to
find the native attire. But when they started singing in other languages, their fans wished to
see them in the regional attire of the song.

“Since we started during the lockdown, we didn’t have the option to go out and buy the
costumes. We mainly chose folk songs, hence it was difficult for us to understand the
nuances of local outfits. But we are the children of social media, so we started requesting
people to help us with the outfits, who used to suggest us to perform their regional songs. It
worked out and they all have shown us immense love and support.” added the duo.

In a post on her social media handle Antara had asked people to help them with the Odia
song. Sibani Panda from Jharsuguda, who is a big fan of the duo, mailed them and wrote
that she can help them with the costume.

Antara said, “We have been asked to sing in Odia for a long time now. it is the 15th
language in the series. With the help of her Odissi Guru Dinesh Kumar Palai, Shibani sent
us the stunning Sambalpuri sarees & all the Odissi dance Jewellery and the special headgear too. Those sarees are now our favorites. She also sent us a beautiful letter. We
were overwhelmed with the gesture.”

Currently a student of Bachelor in Performing arts at Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya,
Chhattisgarh, Shibani said, “When I found out that someone hailing from Assam is trying so
hard to promote the culture and music of my own state, I was very excited. So I felt like I
should help them. I have been following them for the last 3-4 years and love to watch their
songs on their official YouTube channel. I love their signing style and they have been my
inspiration. Along with the costumes and accessories, I have also sent them some
photographs, so that they can identify the way to wear them properly.”

When asked about the idea behind placing Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra’s
Idols at the middle of the video frame, Antara said, “My mom shot the video. When we saw
the frame, I felt like something was missing so we placed the idols there. Being a spiritual
person, I am a devotee of Lord Jagannath and I have brought those idols from Puri long
back. I used to worship them in my room.”

While Antara is doing her Masters in Music at Pune, Ankita is an engineering student. Born
to engineer parents, it was Antara’s dream from a very young age to become a singer. And
being her younger sister Ankita used to go with her to her music classes. That’s how she
also found her interest in singing.

“Along with our studies, as singers we both are pursuing our individual careers. I have sung
three songs composed by A R Rehman and am looking towards new heights in my singing
career. I am very happy for my sister, as I have always wished for her to be a singer. I am
coming soon with some surprises for her listeners and will reveal them very soon. Till our
audience wishes us to do it and they are enjoying it, we will continue doing this series.”
concluded Antara.