Reality shows should encourage and embrace independent music: Kaushiki Chakraborty

Kaushiki Chakraborty is a voice that bridges tradition and modernity, carrying the weight of the age-old musical legacy of the Patiala gharana while charting her own path as a composer, lyricist, and performer. Beyond the stage, she is candid, mentoring young talent and championing the power of authenticity in independent music. In this chat with CT, after the Kaushiki Live in Concert event on Friday, she opened up about her journey, her creative process, and what defines her art.Quotes:Earlier, I was scared of my father even in everyday life. Now, it is only in front of him that my voice falters. My son keeps teasing me, saying, “Tomar toh Dadaiya-r shamne gola diye aowaj e beroyna”‘My father is not just my guru, but my biggest critic’My father, Padma Bhushan Pt Ajoy Chakrabarty is my guru and my biggest critic. I have never heard him say: “Today’s programme was good,” never. He is always like, “Yes, it was good, but…” and then comes the important part, what did not go right. So he is my biggest critic. He is also my greatest benchmark and my superhero. And with age, I think, you know, when your parents grow older, you also start feeling responsible for them in so many ways. That becomes an added layer to the equation, everything else remains constant. People often find you serious and intimidating, but you are completely different in person. Is that image intentional?It’s just who I am. We absorb so much from our gurus and environment – not just music, but ways of being. Classical music taught me seriousness, but over time, I’ve shed that conditioning to focus on the soul of music, which energises me. Offstage, I’m fun and talkative.Has anyone ever heard Kaushiki sing a song from a Hindi film?I am not particularly interested in singing film songs. But at familial occasions, yes, of course. My friends have seen that side of me. They have seen me at my absolute craziest. That is who I am, off-stage.What is Kaushiki’s creative process? Do you go with the flow?No, I used to. Initially, for several years, I was only learning and singing classical music, and there was a natural flow; it felt like things simply happened. Then I realised I had gone through a catharsis in life, which was not always comfortable, as I had to shed many beliefs about myself and felt a little unknown to myself. Since then, I’ve become far more conscious of my creative process. I’ve started composing and exploring different kinds of songs. All my life, I sang seated between two tanpuras, but now I perform standing with a handheld mic. I write my own songs, and my recent Pankh album, released in July last year, was entirely produced by me. So yes, my creative process is morediverse now.Kaushiki asks, ‘Is playback the only route to popularity?’Kaushiki believes that reality shows provide opportunity to young talent, but mostly resort to film songs, which she thinks is a pattern that needs to be broken by both the show planners, and the participants. “Sometimes I wonder, is everyone only being trained to do playback? Is that the only way? If you look around in 2026, cinema is no longer where it was 15 years ago, and thus, film music too, not what it used to be.” She points out that “a much better field has been created for independent music because of YouTube and similar streaming platforms.” She adds, “I think reality shows should have more independent songs in their playlists.”‘Work on yourself, not only your skill’For those hoping to pursue Indian classical music, the message is clear: “Practice, learn, be authentic. Observe everyone, see what they are doing, see what is beautiful in that, but don’t copy. Be yourself, be true.” She cautions, adding, “Don’t take yourself too seriously. For instance, in a Van Gogh painting, if you see Van Gogh instead of the painting, it’s not a great piece of work, right?” For personal growth beyond music, it is important to keep your head low when it comes to the art form. “But keep your head high when it comes to who you are. Work on yourself, not only on your skill. Celebrate people who are not big shots. Care, show compassion. Be a nice human being. I think it costs nothing.”Are you a strict mother?I am a mixture of strict and fun, because I am also my son’s (Rishith Desikan) best friend. When I’m a friend, I’m not strict. At that time, Partha (husband, Parthasarathi Desikan) more or less disciplines both of us. But when it comes to learning music, practising and doing riyaz, yes. I wouldn’t call it strict, but a certain method is necessary, to develop focus. If the mind is distracted, you cannot grow in this profession. For that concentration, some discipline is required."Independent music gives you authority. This independence has its own glory. Children should learn they are not subservient to another narrative. You are your own narrative"The rhythm of riyazRiyaz remains central to her practice, even if it doesn’t happen every single day. “On some days, I miss riyaz when I am tired. I can’t do the kind of rigorous practice I managed to when my life was more disciplined. My routine is unpredictable now, and on any given day nobody knows where I am. It’s important for me to feel like doing riyaz, because when I do, I enjoy it. If I don’t do it with my mind, heart, and intention, it just becomes a chore. Riyaz, to me is sacred, not a chore.”"Set your ego aside and commit to the art form. It is bigger than us. We come and go, but the art endures. We are not doing it a favour by performing it. Instead, we are being nourished by it"