Meet Ranjana Ghatak | Indian Vocalist, Indian Vocal teacher and Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ranjana Ghatak and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ranjana, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
It felt like a calling and music has been something I’ve been passionate about for most of my life. I worked in other roles and jobs and got to the point where I wanted to work with my strengths and gifts. I took the leap in 2010 and I’m so glad I decided to take the risk!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m an Indian singer born and raised in London. I was drawn to the sounds and music from a young age, through my heritage and a genuine interest in how Indian classical and devotional music sounded and was constructed. Through my continuous study of this music I started to teach 15 years ago and then started to perform 13 years ago. I have been lucky to have worked in a wide range of projects and performances and collaborated with some wonderful creatives. My career has been a combination of taking risks whilst continuing to study and dig deeper into the subject. I have performed Indian music in a traditional way and I have also collaborated with contemporary instrumentation.

I lived and worked in the SF Bay area from 2018 to the end of 2020. I performed and taught for the Chitresh Das Institute and taught beginners vocal for the Ali Akbar College of Music. It was incredible to have the experience of living in the states and to be immersed in a community where such giants in the Indian Arts world lived, worked and created a legacy.

I have worked with jazz musicians in London, last year I worked with Scottish singer/songwriter James Yorkston and Bass player Jon Thorne. I stepped into a 13 date tour at the last minute, which really stretched my listening skills and adaptability! We got to travel to some beautiful parts of Scotland including Orkney Folk Festival which I really enjoyed. I released a solo album titled, The Butterfly Effect in 2020 and was invited to open for a couple of “pinch myself” concerts, including opening for John Mclaughlin in 2019 and Shai Maestro in 2021. I was invited to open for the Commonwealth Games last year which was an epic experience! I took part in a wonderful artist residency program called Making Tracks, which brought 8 musicians together from different musical traditions. The whole experience was very moving and it demonstrated the power of collaboration and coming together. I am currently working on a new body of work that is rooted in the north Indian semi classical and devotional tradition – I will have more info on that soon! I teach online and will be running some in person classes this summer which I’m looking forward to.

Deciding to shift from having a job in web development then music admin into full time music (performing/teaching/composing) was a risk. I had to learn to trust my instincts and trust the process. I had to forge a new path which was scary at times, however I have been lucky to have been able to continue working in this field, I feel like I am continuosly learning and growing in the process. I feel like “we “as people win, when we can work with our strengths and give good energy to the work we do with the hope that it impacts people in a positive way. I felt and sensed that the place where I could give more, was through the medium of music – this was a guiding light when figuring out my work in the world. I have learnt and continue to learn lessons in surrender, trust, using your intuition and moving forward with a growth mindset.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I lived and worked in the States for the three years. Whilst visiting Southern California I loved going to Encinitas. It’s so beautiful and has a lovely energy. I liked going to the SRF meditation gardens and Swami’s beach. So stunning!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
What a lovely concept! I think we are often the product of the people around us and our environment. It’s difficult to put it down to one person, but three people who have had the most influence on me, are my parents and my singing teacher who I call my Guru. My mother picked up on my interest in singing from a very young age and arranged classes for me. She saw how much I loved it and continues to encourage and support me. My father also sings and my Mother used to play the Indian slide guitar. Their interest in music created a bed of support for my learning and they never complained at driving me to singing class every week, for which I am so grateful for.

After several years of Indian music study in the UK my mother took me to Kolkata, India in 2000 and set up an audition with Padmabhushan Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty. A prolific vocalist and dedicated singing Guru. He has a singing school called Shrutinandan. He has worked tirelessly to create a deep and systematic approach to learning Indian singing. I was lucky to meet and learn from him from that time. It’s come with challenges as I live in the UK, but he has continued to guide me, and I have become a part of his community. I have felt so supported in the study of this music through his love and vision, his family and his students.

Website: www.ranjanaghatak.com

Instagram: @ranjanaghatak

Linkedin: @ranjanaghatak

Twitter: @ranjanaghatak

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ranjanaghatak

Youtube: @ranjanaghatak

Image Credits
First Image Merlyn Driver Pic in Green dress Ragini Momi Studio Pic Unkown Orange top with tanpura: Radhika Vekaria Tanpura and mic: Phil Barnes