Remember Suneeta Rao from 1991, the dusky singing sensation crooning Paree Hoon Main, in a dulcet voice? Anyone who has grown up in the late 80s is sure not to have missed humming along this hit number . A singer, dancer and stage actor, 51-year-old Suneeta began her career as a chorus dancer in the musical Evita during her college days, and has performed several times in Kolkata in her career of three decades. Now, the Mumbai based artiste is back to Kolkata with her latest play Ga Re Ma directed by Ishitta Arun and talks to Indulge about her work and music. Excerpts:
How does it feel to be back on stage?
I was born to be on stage, I feel most alive and true to my skin there. I connect with my audience the moment I get out there.
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What prompted you to act in Ga Re Maa?
Seasoned stage artiste and performer Ila Arun, who is also Ishitta's mother, recommended me to Ishitta. When I heard Dhruv Ghanekar is composing the music I instantly said yes. I have a musical theatre background and though it’s not a musical, it’s a play about music. So, it was an obvious choice.
Tell us about your role in the play?
I play Anita Peters, a Catholic lady, who sings Gospel and lives with her 22-year-old son in the UK, until she loses her husband and decides to move back to Mumbai. She is a dignified, intense and loving person, who would go to any length to take her son away from his dangerous past and start a new life. But she also has a lot of unfulfilled passion that she wants to nurture through her music.
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Are you planning any album or single?
I have been releasing singles with Hungama’s Artist Aloud. I have also recorded a song, Vaada Karo, on global warming - an anthem and pledge to save the earth -- for which I will make a music video through an innovative crowd funding campaign. Dhruv has done the music.
What are the projects you are working on currently?
Besides my music shows, I work with Laadli, my Girl Child Campaign with the NGO Population First. I am also working on a ghazal/rock/jazz fusion project, which I intend to develop further.
Musically, how discerning is Kolkata?
I absolutely love the Kolkata audience. They have been the most appreciative and sensitive audience ever. They are informed and clued in and really know how to give a performer a warm response. I always look forward to coming here.
Are there any plans of working in Bollywood as an actor?
Early in my career I did get a few Bollywood offers. But I was focussing on music then. A lot of interesting and path breaking films are being made nowadays and it would be wonderful to be a part of those.
Ishitta Arun’s play Ga Re Ma is all set to be staged for the first time in Kolkata at GD Birla Sabhaghar on 14 and 15 December.
@sharmidas