She is all rolled into one. A multi-talented artist, an academic scholar, a kathak dancer, a trained singer, an actress, and a coach make Ipsitaa, a globe-trotter Chandigarh girl, cynosure of all eyes. Her journey to stardom commenced with her debut song, ‘First Kiss,’ in collaboration with the celebrated artist Yo Yo Honey Singh. That sensational track amassed 238 million views on YouTube and received 34 million streams on Spotify.
She belongs to rare category multi-talented artists, who also achieved academic excellence at institutions like London School of Economics, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Cornell as well as Stanford. With her unique blend of talent, Ipsitaa is poised to become India’s first ‘triple threat’ talent, following in the footsteps of her idols in the West who have proven through their determination that girls, can indeed, do it all.
Her diverse portfolio also includes ‘Dilbara,’ and a captivating independent Christmas Album, ‘Songs of Christmas’ showcase her versatility. Born in Chandigarh and raised in various cities around North India (due to her parents’ background in civil service), Ipsitaa showed an early inclination towards singing, acting, and dancing. She began cultivating her skills in pop and opera singing at the age of 12. A testament to her prodigy is the distinction she achieved in the Grade 8 Voice Exam in the category of Vocals: Rock & Pop conducted by Trinity College, London, where she emerged as the topper in North India.
Her early successes extended to her role as the youngest member of the international choir, the Capital City Minstrels, and a position as the lead singer and soloist in her school, where she garnered numerous awards at the inter-school, state, and national levels. She also attained a senior diploma in Kathak at the age of 14. Notably, the performing arts were not her only pursuit.
Her academic brilliance afforded her acceptance offers from Ivy League colleges including Yale, Princeton, Columbia,
and Cornell, as well as Stanford. She chose to pursue her dream of attending Yale, where she double majored in Economics and Psychology, while also participating in 14 productions, ranging from operas and musicals to postgraduate-level plays at the Yale School of Drama
(for which she was selected via competitive auditions as one of the only undergraduate performers).
She founded Yale’s first Indian Classical dance group and took the role of the lead Kathak dancer. Ipsitaa’s academic passion for Behavioural Economics led her to pursue higher education. She received an MSc in Behavioural Science from the London School of Economics, where her thesis titled ‘Does Engaging in Arts Improve Life Satisfaction?’ demonstrated her commitment to both academics and the arts. But it was only after her fortuitous discovery by Yo Yo Honey Singh’s team, through her covers and mashups online, that Ipsitaa realised her true calling in music.
Ipsitaa’s artistic endeavours are not solely a reflection of her remarkable talent but also a manifestation of her commitment to addressing significant societal issues.
Her body of work beautifully articulates the struggles and aspirations of women, exploring themes such as the sacrifices imposed by culture and religion, the importance of nurturing dreams without constraints, and the imperative nature of questioning societal expectations. Ipsitaa’s powerful voice serves as an instrument for change, and her passion for addressing women’s issues has garnered her a dedicated following. She aspires to blend her Western music training with her Indian heritage to craft songs that resonate deeply with the modern Indian woman.
As she embarks on her journey as a professional artist, she envisions a future filled with music that empowers, inspires, and brings forth the voices of countless women who have remained voiceless in their aspirations and desires.
“Kadar Na Jaane” was a new age pop song by Ipsitaa that speaks directly to girls, encouraging them to focus on themselves and their own well-being instead of investing in relationships with boys who fail to appreciate their worth. The lyrics vividly depict the common scenario of a girl being wooed by someone who may not have sincere intentions, highlighting the importance of recognising one’s value and not settling for less. The song paints a picture of a girl being pursued by someone who may not truly care for her. Despite the promises and declarations of
love, the girl is urged to see through the facade and realise her own worth.
The song also serves as a powerful anthem for self-love and empowerment. It encourages girls and women to prioritise honesty, self-respect, and integrity in relationships, and to walk away from those who do not value them. It is more than just a song; it’s a powerful reminder for girls to
focus on themselves, embrace their worth, and not settle for anything less than genuine love and respect. It is a full out performance music video using colourful sets, new age, K-Pop inspired visuals and dance choreography. It is a video that no other Indian artist has done before to set a new benchmark for Indian pop music.
(Prabhjot Singh, is a Toronto-based award-winning independent journalist, He was celebrated by AIPS, the international body of sports journalists, for covering ten Olympics at its centennial celebrations held at UNESCO Centre in Paris during the 2024 Olympic Games. Besides, he has written extensively about business and the financial markets, the health industry, the public and private sectors, and aviation. He has worked as a political reporter besides covering Sikh and Punjab politics. He is particularly interested in Indian Diaspora and Sikh Diaspora in particular. His work has also appeared in various international and national newspapers, magazines and journals)