New Delhi: Arpita Chatterjee’s play, My Name Is Jaan, premiered in Mumbai on 25 October 2024. Directed by Abanti Chakraborty, the 1-hour, 40-minute musical blends history with a rich portrayal of emotions. With choreography by Raktim Goswami, ‘My Name Is Jaan’, which offers a moving tribute to the legendary Gauhar Jaan, has resonated with audiences in Mumbai.
The play features dialogues and songs in a blend of Bengali, Hindi, and English, staying true to its roots while reaching a global audience. The storyline centres around the life of Gauhar Jaan, the famed Indian singer who recorded India’s first gramophone record in 1902. Her life was filled with both hardship and triumph, a journey poignantly captured in Arpita Chatterjee’s performance, which embodied the deep sense of betrayal and resilience Gauhar experienced.
Barun Das applauds Arpita Chatterjee’s stirring tribute to Gauhar Jaan
TV9 Network MD & CEO Barun Das praised Arpita Chatterjee’s performance in My Name Is Jaan with heartfelt words. Reflecting on his own experience, Barun said, “My feelings sitting there had always been awkward. I really struggled to figure out whether I fit into this environment or not. What we do for a living is run businesses—very cut-and-dried, hardcore stuff—but when I come to arenas like this, I feel belittled and realise how little we are truly contributing.”
He went on to share how invested he was in the play from day one: “We all worked on it together. In fact, I really had to give the director a dressing down while co-writing the script. We all struggled; we all worked very hard. But I think Arpita has been remarkable throughout. Arpita, you not only transcended yourself but, every time you come on stage, you transcend the entire audience 100 years back to Gauhar Jaan’s time.”
He concluded by saying, “Brilliant! Any words of appreciation for you would not be enough. And equally, each member of the cast and crew, and above all, Avanti—you have been fabulous. Thank you very much.”
Director Abanti Chakraborty brought balance to the story’s melancholy with vibrant classical music, including Gauhar Jaan’s iconic Rag Bhairavi song, Ras Ke Bhare Tore Nain. Each piece added depth to the story, with varied ragas and tonal shifts that enlivened the play. Gauhar’s journey, from Angelina to Gauhar Jaan, was vividly portrayed, capturing the love, betrayal, resilience, and power that defined her life.
