Bhubaneswar: Known for its rich culture and tradition, Odisha has produced many talented artists who have made immense contributions to painting, sculpture and architecture. But few have been able to make a mark at international level in performing art. Aastha Mohapatra is one of those few. In fact, she is the first opera singer from Odisha.
A member of the Lyric Ensemble of Delhi, a classical, jazz and broadway ensemble, 20-year-old Aastha has been performing in shows and recitals in different cities across the world. She sings in English, French, German and Italian languages. She has received more than 50 awards by performing opera songs in various platforms including the special mention award in the International Art Song Festival organised by KMMC Chennai and Trinity Laban London in 2021.
Interestingly, Aastha started her musical journey with Hindustani Classical Music when she was six years old. After three years’ practice in Hindustani Classical, she was exposed to Western Classical after being selected as a member of the Mozart Children’s Choir of India, started by the Austrian Embassy and Pandit Ravi Shankar.
“Opera is such a beautiful art form. I fell in love with it from the very first minute and it was like love at first sight for me. Opera includes drama and music and is just such a passionate form of artistic expression. The techniques used in opera enable a singer to become a vocal athlete, providing a voice with incredible strength, vocal flexibility and consistency, even allowing one to sing without a microphone,” a local TV channel quoted Aastha as saying.
Stating that opera used to be monopolised as an entertainment by the rich and elite of Europe for quite a long period, Aastha said it has attracted the common people over the years. “Singing in a different language is an art in itself. I love taking it up as a challenge and am discovering new languages and cultures through it,” said Astha.
An Economics student of Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi, Aastha recently got acceptances to the University of Oxford.
Presently undergoing training under Soprano Situ Singh Buehler, Aastha says she has been her vocal coach and inspiration for the last five years.
On her future plan, Aastha said opera singing is my motivation to become a better person. “I would like to pursue it seriously and set higher goals to become a better musician with time,” she said.
