Purna Bhattacharya is an Indo-Canadian producer, songwriter, musician, artist (synth-pop, rock, acoustic, folk, and country) and artist development mentor, based in Montreal, Canada. She uses art as a way to create awareness, open public dialogue and create work opportunities for various communities of those who deserve equal rights. This includes women and girls of all ages, LGBT, and the deaf/mute who use ASL/QSL to communicate. She encourages ethnic diversity, representing her own background using India’s national animal, the peacock, in her logo. 

With 10 years of experience in the music industry and in business, Purna has taught at both Concordia University and Carleton University. She has managed and collaborated on various audio/video productions, including “I Shot the Monkey” by Mackenzie 1st, which received rotation on MuchMusic and MTV. She has initiated several songwriting projects, and has been a Band Coach for “Rock Camp For Girls and Gender Non-Conforming Youth” in Montreal. 

Purna primarily produces for other artists, creates her own music, and provides valuable creative and business information and knowledge to artists to help them reach their full potential via artist development services. This includes: branding authentically, the art of networking, marketing for fan base growth and sales, distribution, contracts, songwriting and production critiques, setting boundaries for mental health needs, stage presence, media training, working with diverse individuals and groups, and more. She is there for every step to help artists generate the career results they are seeking by navigating the music industry. 

Purna holds a Bachelors Degree in Communication (Specialized in Sound Design), a Masters Degree in Musicology, and Certificates in Teaching Assistance, as well as Music and Creativity. She has had opportunities to learn from industry recognized names based in Montreal, QC, Ottawa, ON (Canada), as well as Nashville, TN, Boston, MA, and Hamilton, Bermuda (USA). 

Currently, Purna is focused on creating a demo album to showcase her songwriting and production skills, developing workshops on creativity and music business skills, developing artists, producing (recording and mixing) albums for other artists, and representing Forestare as their International booking manager (outside Quebec). She is thrilled to be a Board Member for the English Language Artist Network (ELAN Quebec) as a Music Representative and on the Inclusion Committee, and is also giving time as a Jury member at FACTOR.

In her free time, Purna enjoys reading, staying active, teaching mind-body healing, spending time with close friends, creating new recipes, dancing, and endless cups of tea and kombucha.

Upon beginning my career in the music industry, I faced many sexist experiences, particularly on the technical side as a producer. My mission began as understanding this complex dilemma, leading the way for women and the LGBT community consisting of all races to have equal opportunities and to be treated with respect in pursuing their passions. 

The lack of female role models who are in the spotlight for pursuing and creating great work became clear, which also contributes to young girls being unaware that technical positions are possible for them. My vision then extended to teaching equality, teamwork and leadership to boys and girls from early ages. 

Two weeks after I began pre-production for my first album in 2017, I suffered a concussion that left various neurological and muscular challenges, including vocal disability. Very quickly, I witnessed the lack of awareness, sensitivity and seriousness the majority of people have towards those who cannot speak, including many who are/were close to me. I became much more conscientious and empathetic to the needs of those who cannot speak, including the high rate of unemployment amongst those with disabilities in general. 

I began to learn American Sign Language (ASL) and decided to include those who cannot speak (as well as women and those who identify as LGBT) to contribute to the creation of all of my albums and content in any way possible to, in a sense, give them their voices back. Having improved vocally, there is no guarantee of full recovery according to the medical system. This drives me to continue healing daily via rehab and drastic life changes, and to provide career opportunities for those who face similar situations.

My musical style ranges from fun and upbeat to mellow and quiet, from synth pop and rock, to country and acoustic compositions. These are influenced by Tegan and Sara, Lights, Metric, Hanson, Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind and Matchbox 20, just to name a few. As a songwriter and artist, the lyrics tackle heavy subjects including women’s rights and protection in domestic relationships, mental health challenges, and fundamental life lessons we must all learn as human spirits (from falling in love and heartbreak, to kindness and betrayal), to help those who are enduring the same situations, offering relatability, healing and hope.