An alumna of the top-ranked Jodhamal Public School and currently a first year humanities student of Jammu’s Government College for Women, Nandini Kapoor (19) made her debut in playback singing in regional producer Surinder Manhas’ Dogri film Doli, set for release next month.

Christened Jammu’s ‘nightingale’ by her growing legion of fans, this 19-year-old is elated by the enthusiastic public reception and believes her dream of playback singing in commercial cinema has finally come true. 

Daughter of a state government employee Ajay Kapoor and homemaker mother Bindu, Nandini’s vocal music talent was discovered when she was in class II. “My teachers used to encourage me to sing during assembly and on special occasions. My first public performance was in 2008 in a children’s talent hunt programme where I was top placed. Formal training in Hindustani classical music began in 2009 under the tutelage of Pt. Kulbushan Sharma. I was later introduced to Bollywood music. With the help of specialised training, I participated and won several inter-school music competitions,” she recalls.

In 2012, Nandini received wide publicity in the local press for a brilliant stage performance in a show organised in memory of Pandit Uma Dutt Sharma, father of legendary santoor player Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, wherein the maestro himself felicitated her. Two years later, she was adjudged runner-up in a reality show for youth organised by the local Doordarshan centre, and in 2016, Nandini featured in a YouTube video directed by her mentor Deepak which was telecast on regional TV. 

Jammu’s new melody queen is also academically focussed and aspires to join the civil service after graduation. “I am aware of my singing talent but I can’t give up my academic aspirations as I believe I can serve the people of this neglected state better. The challenge will now be to balance both aspirations,” she says. 

Wind beneath your wings!

Autar Nehru (Delhi)