Aug 31, 2026 8:30pm IST
Antara Nandy and Ankita Nandy: ‘We’re happy that people are discovering us beyond our covers’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Sisters Ankita Nandy and Antara Nandy’s musical journey is a result of seamlessly navigating between covers, playback singing, original music and live performances. As members of the YouTube Foundry Class of 2026, the sisters are now looking to expand their musical footprint while staying rooted in their own sound. In a conversation with Variety India, the duo reflects on their evolution, the changing opportunities for independent artists, and their journey from intimate balcony concerts (an online music series they created during the 2020 lockdown) to stages around the world.
At this stage in your careers, what does a platform like YouTube Foundry offer that excites you the most?
Antara Nandy: We’ve always believed that music has no boundaries, and that’s how we’ve tried to build our journey as well. Foundry feels like an opportunity to take that journey to the next level. What excites us the most is being able to create without limitations, collaborate with incredible people and tell stories through our music that can reach audiences far beyond what we’ve imagined.
How do you think such initiatives can change the trajectory of emerging musicians in India?
Antara Nandy: There has never been a better time to be an emerging artist, but it can still be difficult to find the right support system. Programs like Foundry don’t just give artists visibility, they give them confidence. When a platform like YouTube believes in your vision, it encourages you to dream bigger and stay true to your own sound instead of chasing what’s popular.
How do you balance creating music that is authentic versus creating content that performs well on algorithms?
Ankita Nandy: It’s something every artist thinks about today. We do understand the importance of digital platforms, but we’ve always believed that the music comes first. If we’re emotionally connected to what we’re creating, we trust that the audience will connect with it too. Algorithms may help people discover your work, but authenticity is what makes them stay.
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What kind of support do young artists need today beyond just visibility?
Antara Nandy: Visibility is important, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Young artists need mentors, opportunities to collaborate, access to good production and most importantly, the reassurance that they don’t have to fit into a particular mould to succeed. Sometimes, believing in an artist at the right time can change everything.
While people often see you as a duo, how important is it for each of you to maintain an individual artistic voice?
Antara Nandy: Being sisters and making music together is something we truly cherish. At the same time, we’re two different people with different influences and personalities, and that’s what makes our collaboration so special. Whether it’s playback singing, independent music or live performances, we always encourage each other to grow individually because that only makes us stronger together.
You have been loved for the various covers of songs that you have shared, but has that also stereotyped you in any way? Is it something that you had to break away from consciously?
Ankita Nandy: In some ways, yes. Covers became such a big part of our journey that people naturally started associating us with them. But we’ve never seen them as a destination, they were the beginning. Over the last few years, we’ve consciously focused on playback singing, original music and live performances, and it’s been wonderful to see audiences embrace us for those as well. We still love doing covers, but today they are just one part of our musical journey.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about your music?
Antara Nandy: A lot of people know us through our covers, and we’re genuinely grateful for that because those songs helped us connect with millions of listeners. But that’s just one part of our story. Playback singing, original music, and performing live have always been equally special and important. Our recently released song, “Jhoom,” is a reflection of that journey. It’s an original that’s very close to our hearts, and we’re excited for listeners to experience this side of us. We’re happy that more people are discovering us beyond our covers.
What is one creative goal you’re hoping to achieve with your YouTube Foundry journey?
Ankita Nandy: We want to create music that feels honest to who we are and tells stories that stay with people long after they’ve heard the song. If Foundry helps us push ourselves creatively and inspires even one young emerging artist to believe in their own voice, we’ll consider that a success.
From balcony concerts to legit concerts, what’s the journey been like?
Ankita Nandy: It’s been emotional in the best possible way. The balcony Concerts started during a time when the world felt uncertain, and music became our way of staying connected with people. We never imagined those simple performances would become such a meaningful part of our journey. Today, performing on concert stages across India and around the world is incredibly special, but the feeling hasn’t changed. Whether it’s a balcony, a theatre or a festival stage, we’re happiest when we’re singing our hearts out and connecting with people through music.
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