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Candid talk with Nalina Chitrakar
-By Preity

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She has 16, 17 years experience in the field of music. After taking a short break from the music industry because of her busy schedules with her personal life and her son, Nalina Chitrakar is back with a brand new music video “Jindagi” from her one year old latest album Jindagi. She still has the same musical spirit and says that she is not off yet. Nalina and I sat for an exclusive candid talk to share some of her stories of music, personal life, the video and many more.

Here are some excerpts of the interview.

1. Tell us about your latest one year old album Jindagi. Why did the album take so much time to come in front of media?

First of all, at the time when Jindagi was ready, I was expecting my baby, so I was not able to run behind the music companies so I took out the album from Ambica music. That’s why I could not give much time for its promotion. It’s not that Jindagi it did not come in the media at all. Before Jindagi, another video from the album was released but it did not get that exposure because it was related to child labor. It was technically supported by ILO.
Romantic songs are always aired but those kinds of songs are less aired in the media that is why the exposure was less.

2. Let’s talk about your latest video Jindagi. Foreign location and self expense, is it worth investing that much for a one year old record? How did the video thing happen?

First of all, I had talked about the video with Bhusan Dai but due to his busy schedules, we could not make it. Later on, at a tihar special program, I met Suraj and we talked about it. I had thought that foreign location will be better because people are used to watching the same locations for the videos and I wanted to make it quite different. So, at first, we had thought of Dubai, but later on, Bangkok was finalized. Yes, it is so obvious that foreign location gets expensive but I had to make a good video. Investment is like, actually I do not expect too much from the album sales. The main source is from the programs so after I come out with something good, I will be offered better opportunities. So, it’s like indirect investment.

3. So you are investing for the programs and concerts… But we have some artists who are surviving in the industry very well and the commercial response of the album is also good. Or do you agree that female albums are less saleable compared to male artists?

Well, that is very true. Still there is a great confusion why female artists’ albums are not so great commercially. It’s not that we don’t have good female music artists or good songs but still….?? (Pauses) Maybe music companies are still not confident regarding the distribution. Even they do not want to invest to established singers. This is also one of the reasons why I keep on switching the music companies. Music companies do not take female artists so seriously, and it’s really sad to know that. So, it’s … its really confusing why… ??

4. Let me ask you something. You keep on doing something different. After a musical break you have now come out with a totally new concept of video making at foreign location with the whole crew. Before, the videos were not shot like this, people only used hadicams, took some shots abroad and made a video. Also, before, during the album release we heard that you came in the venue in helicopter. Always expensive things happen with Nalina. Why is that so? Why do you do these things? Just to do something unusual or to grasp the attention?

(smiles) I do these things just because I want to do something different. Nothing particular about it. My intention is not to show off or anything like that. I do it just for fun… ramailo ko laagi matra ho. But people might add different meaning to it. It’s not true. I do not want to show off. The helicopter thing, actually it was not planned. It just happened… I got the sponsor and everything just happened. Also, I was bored with the regular album releases where people gather talk and things like that. But I wanted to make mine quite different. I did not even spend a single penny for the helicopter, my sponsors did that. So, it’s not that I do those things to show off. About the video, I’ve already told. Also, for the video, my husband supported me.

5.So, now that you are free, what are your promotional plans for “Jindagi”?

Well, if I get sponsors, I am planning to do a solo program. Many people think that I might not do programs any more. But it’s not that. I am still on, I am not off. It’s just that some people put their self opinion.

I am also planning to visit some schools and perform there and maybe also sell some albums. I have also done that before for the previous albums. Also, I am planning to bring out another video from “Jindagi”. It’s a duet by me and Karna Das, “Kati Dherai Bhara Huncha”( music by Karna Das).

6. These days some female artists have gained quite a good popularity with remixes and featured numbers. Aren’t you jealous with their achievement?

I am not jealous with anyone. I just feel that you have to do on your own. It’s not that even I have disappeared! I just feel bad because there was a time when I was so busy attending programs. I may not get that much now, but now I am again on my work. So, you have to do on your own. There is no reason to be jealous of anything. About the featuring artists, singing original tracks is fine. But singing the remixes and getting that short popularity is something I don’t find good about. Because being a singer you need to sing your songs, I don’t mean remixes are bad, but at least you need to have tracks that are your own, original. At least, you should have your own identity and be able to say that it’s my song not anyone else’s remix version.

7. Now, let’s about your personal life. How are your recent days going on?

I am busy with my baby, taking care of him. Also, every week I have a program, Kollywood hits in BFBS (British Gorkha radio).

8. Describe yourself.

I am not very over ambitious. I want to remain average. It’s difficult to maintain even if you reach very high. So, within this small market, to survive is itself a great challenge. Also, I have a positive attitude towards everything. I can adjust with every class of people. I am very sensitive towards poor people and I like doing welfare things. During the album release also, I had distributed some winter clothes to 37 people. Even in future, if I am financially strong I am planning to do some more social works.

9. How is your life at a personal level?

My family environment is good and my husband is very supportive. He understands and we have a transparency in relationship which I feel is very important. He takes care of baby even if I am out for shows or programs.

10 . What do you do in your leisure time?

I call my old friends. I like to chat on the phone and give surprise phone calls to people and of course remain in touch with them. I like long drives, go out for dinner etc, etc.


11. At last any message to your fans?

I just want to say that I have not disappeared anywhere. I am still on. Please give me feedback of my songs. I need your response. Thank you.

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