Dream big, achieve bigger-- How two young artists from Barak Valley are living their dreams

Barak Valley and its love for art and culture is known about in far and wide. Through many years, this valley has created wonderful musicians, singers, artists, actors, dancers and other performers who have done exemplary work for the world to witness. Though in the past it was far more difficult to get to the big platforms and receive the kind audience, but with time and technology, this scope has become a lot more accessible to this valley and the results are right here for us to see. 

Debraj Das who is a singer and Tanupriya Chakraborty who is an actor are two such prides of this valley who recently made it to big platforms in Kolkata and got to share stage and expirences with worldclass levels of artist and technicians. Their story yet sets an example that if you love your art and do it with dedication and hardwork, your share of success too awaits you soon!

In conversation with Chakraborty who recently starred in a Star Jalsha’s show, tells us, “I loved acting as a child and though my mother was a little worried at times about my enthusiasm for the art, she and my father immensely supported me through each step of my life and had the trust on me that I was doing something right. Taking up acting as a profession and giving it the time and the effort is not something which is still very appreciated in our Indian households, still my family made sure to be my backbone and I wish all children get such support from their parents.”

Tanupriya started her journey from a small theatre stage and made it through to reputated institues of acting with her skills and hard work. She mentions how Amit Roy, director, once spotted her at a theatre workshop, liked her work a lot and stood out to support her in her quest in Tollywood industry. She is currently working on various big projects and will also soon again be back to the screens of Star Jalsha.

The actor has requested every Barakinas to support and follow her throughout her journey and that she will be always greatful to the amount of love she recived from all.

On the other hand, Das who is a singer and a theatre artist as well, made it through the auditions of a singing reality show in Star Jalsha and spent four months in Kolkata grooming for the show and finally making it through 2 rounds on the TV auditions, after which he was eliminated.

The first episode where he will be seen will air on the first week of September but he asserts us that, “It was an expirence of a lifetime and the amount of things I got to learn everyday was immense, the people you work with and the people who train you are so excellent that you only will want to work harder to be there on that platform with them. There is no space for half-heartedness in the field of art and the only way out is to love, worship, practice and excel the art.”

Surpirsingly, another pride of this valley, Lt. Kalikaprashad’s Dohar too was a part of this reality show and Das got the chance of getting personally groomed by them and other distinguished mentors. He loved music and theatre as a kid, and with some support and learning, he started doing very well and earned a name for himself locally and in the circle. He too thanks his parents and his uncle for being the guiding force and selflessly supporting him and his art through thick and thin.

Das is now back in Silchar and is associated with other projects and work, but he says, “The days there have made me a much more enlightend as a singer and a human and this will have a very postive effect on my performance and future.”

The little support from parents and an unquestioned amount of dedication and hard work can get you and your art to a global platform. Technology and physical means, both have become extremely accessible with auditions happening right in our valley and the internet opening the world of diffrent opportunities to various art forms. It just comes down to oneself to dream big and put down efforts in making it a reality!