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In the same vein as Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and (we think) R. Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet”, Prita Chhabra’s debut music video “Roots” is autobiographical. Prita says that her concept for the video, which depicts Prita protesting through song outside an Indian record store in Toronto after the owner refuses to sell her English-speaking record, was based on her own experiences with skeptical listeners. “When I first came to Toronto I was a Gerrard St. junkie.” No, not that kind. “I was in love with the abundance of Indian culture – the food, the music, the people. There aren’t many places in North America where your culture can be celebrated that openly.” But it wasn’t all corn-on-the-cob. “I would perform my music for Indian audiences and they would think that it wasn’t me, that I was trying to be something I wasn’t. They thought I should be singing in Punjabi. Then I would perform for English audiences and they thought that I was pretending as well, they thought that I belonged in a Sari.”
Prita should be used to the contradictions by now. Born in Montreal to Indian immigrant parents, Prita moved to Orlando with her familty and then to Toronto to pursue her musical career. She now splits time between all three cities. “In Montreal I dress well and drink good coffee, in Toronto I’m always busy, always working and in Orlando I just relax in my little shorts and tank top. It’s so hot there!” If that sounds saucy, don’t get the wrong idea; Prita admits that her wild side only comes out when she performs. While other attractive female musicians run away from sexual marketing to maintain the worth of their talent, Prita is forced to do the opposite. “When people see me in person they think that I’m 15 years old so I have to prove to them that I can be perceived in that sexual light. When I go on stage, something comes over me and I’m free to be that super-sensual person that I’m not in everyday life.” Not even the temptations of Sin City North could get to Prita. “When I studied at Concordia in Montreal I was such a good girl! I lived with my grandparents and took care of them. They would call me and ask ‘where are you?’ at 7 PM and I would say ‘at class!’” Prita might have been innocent then but she was spurred to grow up quickly during her performance of the national anthem before a Blue Jays game at the Skydome. “I was forced to face myself. Literally. Not only was I performing for thousands of people, I was staring at my face blown up on the jumbotron. It was an important experience for me.”
Prita’s favourite artist growing up was Bette Midler (“All the kids at school thought I was cool for having a Walkman, then they would see my tapes.”) but she says her musical taste prerequisites are limited when it comes to guys. Even tone-deaf doofuses have a chance. “I like all kinds of music, although lyrics are important to me. I don’t like music that demeans women or conveys negativity. I want music to deliver a positive message.”
