Entertainment Desk:

A self-taught artiste driven by passion, Nadia Dora carved her path into the world of music with nothing but determination and a deep love for the craft. Known for a voice that can pack a punch, she quickly made a name for herself in the folk genre—a testament to her unique signature style.

Now, she is ready to take a new turn. The singer has stepped beyond her folk roots to explore a more diverse musical direction, beginning with her latest release “Chol Preme Pure Jai” — a chill step number whose lyrics, tune, and composition have been handled by Autumnal Moon. Released under the banner of G Series, the track marks a refreshing shift in Dora’s journey as an artiste.

We caught up with the singer after an exclusive photoshoot at Centre to talk about her evolution, her inspirations, and her forthcoming musical journey.

“People are familiar with my folk songs, and I usually perform those more than any other genre, whether on stage or at any show,” shared the singer. “However, after a three-year break, I wanted to come back with something outside my usual style. So, I shared my thoughts with Moon da, expressing my interest in experimenting with a different genre—and he took care of the rest! I’m truly overwhelmed by how warmly people have embraced the song.”

It’s not just the music that has captured attention—the accompanying music video, filmed across the breathtaking landscapes of Nepal, is a visual delight. Featuring Dora herself amid stunning natural backdrops, the video adds both depth and emotion to the song’s narrative.

“We shot it last year in Nepal and it was a truly memorable experience—one I’ll always cherish,” she shared. “This was the first time I not only appeared in a music video but also acted in it. Previously, I had only appeared in studio setups alongside the musicians to lend my voice. This time, it was a completely different experience,” she mentioned.

Although Nadia Dora comes from a culturally rich background, her journey into music was anything but conventional. Without formal training, she shaped her path, inspired by the voices she admired. “Whenever I listened to singers like Fareeda Parvin, or later Anusheh Anadil, Faizan Rashid Ahmad Buno (Popularly known as Buno) from Bangla band, Nigar Sultana Sumi from Lalon band, and Sharmin Sultana Sumi from Chirkutt—my love for folk music grew stronger,” she shared.

This passion for music led her to become a part of the band Dharok. “We didn’t have original songs back then, but we used to cover Rabindra Sangeet and other classics,” Dora recalled.

In 2014, she, alongside some of her close friends, formed the band Pandora, only to focus on working on a new style of fusion and rock music. Their last release was in 2016, and Dora disclosed that they have reunited once again with original material in the works. The current lineup includes Zia on bass, Fahim, also a co-founder, on lead guitar and vocals, Debashish on drums, and Bipu on guitar.

“We’re working on two new songs, which we hope to release by the end of this year. Fahim and Debashish were abroad for a while, which delayed our work. But now we’re back and also actively performing at stage shows.”

Dora spoke candidly about the common practice of syndicating artistes in the music scene. “The problem arises when an artiste starts working with a particular group—they often become part of a syndicate without even realising it. Such grouping is deeply concerning, as it hampers the entire industry. Individual artistes end up losing new potential creative collaborations because of such alliances.”

“I won’t shy away from admitting that I, too, was part of a syndicate for a long time. Now, I’m glad to have returned after a break, and moving forward, I hope to work in an environment that encourages open and creative collaborations rather than building barriers through a ‘syndicated mindset.'”

Dora also shared her concerns about so-called “mobs” reportedly disrupting recent stage shows. “We perform on stage regularly, and to be honest, due to growing security concerns in recent times, we often decline shows outside Dhaka,” she admitted. “However, so far, we haven’t faced any problems and things have been going well, with excellent security at our events.”

When she’s not making music, Dora works in the sales and marketing department of a private television channel, balancing her dual careers with dedication.