AR Rahman's guitarist Neelanjana is a Bangladeshi girl

Kolkata bass guitarist Nilanjana Ghosh Dastidar. Although born in Kolkata, her parents have roots in Bangladesh. She currently plays bass guitar with Oscar-winning composer A. R. Rahman. Nazmul Haque spoke to her on WhatsApp.

Nilanjana Ghosh Dastidar

Prothom Alo: How did you develop an interest in bass guitar?

Nilanjana Ghosh Dastidar: My father played bass guitar. So I was introduced to this instrument since childhood. My father would teach me everything in detail. And when I sang, the sound of the bass seemed to resonate with my ears more than other musical instruments. In early 2018, I told my father about my desire to learn bass. However, my father did not take it very positively at that time. It is very heavy, the strings are very thick, I cannot do it; it will be difficult for me... he started saying these things. Then I convinced him. There was a bass guitar at home, so I started with that. I remember that in the first week, my finger bled. At that time, I thought, this is the difficulty! Nothing more. Then a teacher was hired for me. He taught me everything. His name was Tarak. He is now deceased.

Prothom Alo: I want to hear the story of joining the team of AR Rahman

Neelanjana Ghosh Dastidar: I used to upload videos on Facebook covering various songs. I was getting a lot of response then. I met a student of AR Rahman's drummer Ranjit Barat. In December 2021, Ranjit Uncle proposed to me through him. He wanted to know if I was interested. Hearing this, I fell from the sky! At that time, Rahman sir was supposed to do two shows in Delhi and Dubai. Later, when his team sent a message asking for my answer, I was furious. I kept thinking, "Isn't it fake?" Then Ranjit Uncle called me again. He gave me a list of songs and asked me to keep them ready. I then asked him, "Is this true?" He told me, "True. You start practicing."

Nilanjana Ghosh Dastidar

Prothom Alo: Do ​​you remember the first day?

Neelanjana Ghosh Dastidar: Actually, I was very nervous on the first day. Isn't this normal? New place, meeting senior and talented people. But I was surprised when I went there, everyone was so sincere! They didn't let me feel like I was new for a single moment. It felt like I knew them very well. Everyone was practicing on the other day of the show. I played about 40 songs that day. I was feeling very tired, I was sitting on a chair and resting. At that moment, I saw Sir coming towards me. He congratulated me, blessed me. Then he said, 'Welcome to the team.'

Prothom Alo: How was your experience working with A R Rahman?

Neelanjana Ghosh Dastidar: I saw Sir the same way on the last show as I saw him on the first day. He is a very dedicated and humble person. He doesn't seem like A R Rahman, he seems like the aunt next door. He always wants to know, asks questions to everyone. He also looks at and analyzes the work of the current generation. He tries to understand what this generation wants. He is an institution.

Prothom Alo: Has there been any big change in life?

Nilanjana Ghosh Dastidar: I receive a lot of people's wishes and love. But to be honest, my life has not changed much. I did not let it come. I feel that if it changes, I will lose focus from work; that fear works. I still walk on the streets as before, ride taxis, my days are the same as before.

Prothom Alo: Your family is from Bangladesh, I want to know about Bangladesh-yoga

Nilanjana Ghosh Dastidar: Actually, I am a girl from Bangladesh. Both my parents' families are from there. Their roots are in Dhaka and Barisal. My mother-in-law's mother's house is also in Comilla. So for me, Bangladesh is a different place. I came to Bangladesh to participate in a concert. It felt like I was in a very familiar place. When I returned home after the service, I told my mother the stories here, what a cry she had. She was very proud of me that day.

Prothom Alo: Have you met any musicians from Bangladesh?

Nilanjana Ghosh Dastidar: Thanks to Facebook, I have met many people from Bangladesh. The best acquaintance I have had is with Fuad Al Moktadir. He is like my brother. We talk a lot. We discuss and analyze many things. I have also worked on one of his projects.

Nilanjana Ghosh Dastidar & ARR

Nilanjana Ghosh Dastidar: I grew up listening to Bangladeshi songs since childhood. My father used to listen to Miles' songs a lot. I have been in love with this band's songs since childhood. I was surprised to see Shafin Ahmed playing the bass and singing. Singing while playing the bass! I know how difficult it is. So difficult that not everyone can do it. Miles performed before us in the Dhaka show. But unfortunately, I didn't meet them.

Prothom Alo: Playing bass guitar in a saree...

Neelanjana Ghosh Dastidar: Actually, this is my comfort zone. And of course, Bengaliana. If I can play in Western clothes, why not in a saree? I buy a lot of sarees, they get piled up at home, and my mother screams at me about them. So I wear them out (laughs). During the puja, I covered a song in a saree and uploaded a video on Facebook. After that, I got many comments there. The comments, good and bad, made me want to wear a saree on stage. Personally, in my opinion, the saree is a symbol of our Bengali women. So I want to give a message, we women should be able to manage the house as well as the house.