Nandini Mukherjee is an experienced practitioner of Rabidrasanget. She trained under Amar Lahiri, an outstanding exponent of the varied styles of the genre, and a disciple of Subinoy Roy. Earlier, Nandini underwent formal training in Hindustani classical music at Geetabithi founded by Subinoy Roy.
Nandini believes that the essence of Rabindrasangeet lies not only in its poetry and inimitable musical style but also in its unmatched emotional appeal. Her belief echoes Tagore himself, who, by characterizing his music as Bhavsangeet, sought to emphasize emotion over technique. He therefore classified his compositions in terms of their emotional appeal to people as Puja (devotion), Prem (love), Prakriti (nature) and Swadesh (patriotism), and not as the different classical or folk forms of music from which he drew inspiration.
Being Bhavsangeet, Rabindrasangeet has a universal appeal, transcending barriers of language and nationality. The cause of universality is furthered by Tagore's unfettered acceptance of musical styles from lands faraway and near, which he synthesized and harmonized to constitute his own, inimitable brand of music.
It is this universality that Nandini seeks to portray. Her earnest attempt throughout her career has been to practise and propagate Rabidrasangeet not merely among Bengalees, but also for the benefit of those to whom language is often a barrier to knowing and experiencing all that Tagore's music has to offer. This intent has also been the hallmark of the performances staged by Amar Lahari (that translates into 'eternal waves'), the troupe she founded in Bangalore, in memory of her Guru, the Late Amar Lahiri. It is in continuance of this pursuit that her renditions have been accompanied by narration in English.
