Plastic Parvati dismantles sex, sexuality & mental health in new album

Sexuality and mental health are two of the most taboo topics in India right now. To talk about it we need guts and to sing about it we need Plastic Parvati aka Suyasha Sengupta.

Suyasha, a member of the Kolkata band ‘Ganesh Talkies’ recently released her solo album ‘Songs About Lovers’, an exploration of the masculine/feminine dynamic through sexuality and her struggles with mental health. It’s set to an addictive tabla-like beat that immediately grabs your attention and holds it.

We spoke to Suyasha about the story behind her new moniker, her album and singing about taboo topics.

What’s the story behind your artist name – Plastic Parvati?

Parvati is the Hindu goddess of love; and the main essence of my solo project is to chronicle my experiences with love, sexuality and mental health. Plastic signifies, well, modern life and all the works. Hence the name ‘Plastic Parvati’.

What inspired you to release a solo album?

I think it came out of having all these feelings inside me which I just wanted to get out of my system. Miti Adhikari who’s a mentor to me, helped me arrange, produce and finish my songlets.

How is the music you write for the Ganesh Talkies different from your solo stuff?

When the band is involved, I’m essentially the mouthpiece for an idea that all of have collectively whereas with my solo record, the feelings are intimate and very personal.

Did you get any flak for writing and singing about taboo topics like sexuality and mental health?

I’ve reached a point where I don’t necessarily care about the opinions of strangers. These are the thoughts in my head and I’m only saying them out aloud. The only way to normalise so-called “taboos” is to talk about it till we reach a point when it no longer makes people uncomfortable.

Tell us a little more about your songs ‘Head’ and ‘Straight Outta Coshba

‘Straight Outta Coshba’ is an introduction to who I am. I have lived and grown up in Kasba, Calcutta and the environment around me influences me greatly. The song is an homage to the crazy/beautiful vibe of the place. It’s a place where all religious and socio-political classes co-exist in harmony; it’s a sort of lesson for the country considering the current atmosphere of intolerance. My space allows me to contemplate, and the musings that come out of it are usually the songs that I write.

‘Head’ is a slightly naughty song where I’m thinking out aloud if a previous relationship failed because of something I did wrong or because I wasn’t good at giving oral sex.

Again, when it comes to female sexuality, it is very difficult to find music by women who are empowering themselves. It’s very easy to fall into a trap of self-objectification, something that I have consciously tried to avoid in this record.

What advice would you give to young girls going through the struggle of expressing themselves

Stand your ground. Find your courage from within. Also, never compromise on your ideals, who you are as a person.

Plastic Parvati or Suyasha Sengupta, she doesn’t fail to impress us. And she plans to release more music soon, with songs that are dirtier and more personal. It’s clear we need more musicians and artists to be open about taboo topics because we’re loving it.

You can listen to ‘Songs About Lovers’ on Soundcloud and iTunes and follow Suyasha on Instagram for updates.

Written by Yukta Reddy

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