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{{Short description|Indian guitarist and singer-songwriter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Taba Chake
| image =
| caption =
| origin = India
| birth_name = Taba Chake
| genre = [[Indie pop]], [[folk music]], [[country music]]
| occupation = Producer, composer, singer, song-writer, guitarist
| instrument = [[Ukulele]], guitar
| years_active = 2012–present
| birth_place = Arunachal Pradesh, India
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1993|12|24}}
}}

'''Taba Chake''' (born 24 December 1992) is an Indian [[Nyishi people|Nyishi]] finger-style guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and [[Multilingualism|multilingual]] singer-songwriter. He is best known for the songs "''Aao Chalein''", "''Shaayad''", and "''Walk With Me''" from his album "''Bombay Dreams''". Chake writes in multiple languages, including his native [[Nyishi people|Nyishi]] dialect, as well as [[Hindi]], [[Assamese language|Assamese]], and English, making him the first artist from [[Arunachal Pradesh]] to compose and release Nyishi songs on streaming platforms. His music blends folk, indie, and contemporary styles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |title=Taba Chake – Future of Music |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/future-of-music-2024/taba-chake-future-of-music-2024/ |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref>

Chake is reported to be the first artist from [[Arunachal Pradesh]] to tour nationally. He is the Brand Ambassador for the Arts and Culture Department of the Government of [[Arunachal Pradesh]].<ref name="Shaji">{{Cite web |last=Shaji |first=Cris,Sukanya |date=2025-07-07 |title=Meet Taba Chake, master of melodies, Arunachal's new ambassador for art and culture |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/meet-taba-chake-master-of-melodies-arunachals-new-ambassador-for-art-and-culture |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Chake was originally born in Khunglo Village, [[Papum Pare district]], in [[Arunachal Pradesh]]. He started composing songs around 2007–2008 at the age of 15.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=13 November 2019|title=Soundtrack of a City|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/soundtrack-of-a-city-6116721/|access-date=25 March 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> His parents never went to school and he describes his generation as "the first generation who grew up with buildings, telephones, roads and cars."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Nehra|first=Devi|date=5 December 2020|title=Taba Chake brings Nyishi to the indie scene: Singer-songwriter on performing in an Arunachal dialect, his artistic evolution|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/taba-chake-brings-nyishi-to-the-indie-scene-singer-songwriter-on-performing-in-an-arunachal-dialect-his-artistic-evolution-9076791.html|access-date=25 March 2021|website=Firstpost}}</ref> He speaks and understands five languages: [[Nishi language|Nyishi]], [[Hindi]], English, [[Nepali language|Nepali]] and [[Assamese language|Assamese]], and uses all of these in his music. However, in 2010, he chose to prioritize the use of [[Nyishi people|Nyishi]] to preserve the language and share it with a broader audience.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Multilingual singer-songwriter Taba Chake out with his latest single 'Blush'|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2020/nov/08/multilingual-singer-songwriter-taba-chake-out-with-his-latest-singleblush-2220122.html|access-date=25 March 2021|website=The New Indian Express|date=7 November 2020 }}</ref>

Chake experimented with many genres of music as he matured, including playing guitar and composing music for a [[Heavy metal music|metal]] band. He initially worked as a composer and guitarist in a metal band, specializing in technical metal. Later, he joined a Hindi band formed in 2009, which performed until mid-2011.<ref name="news18.com">{{Cite web |title=Taba Chake Reveals He Almost Quit Music After Bombay Dreams: 'This Was Meant To Be My Last Album' {{!}} Exclusive |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/taba-chake-reveals-he-almost-quit-music-after-bombay-dreams-this-was-meant-to-be-my-last-album-exclusive-9203748.html |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> The band released songs in 2010 and 2011, one of which was titled "Sun Le Meri."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-17 |title=Taba Chake: Arunachal Pradesh's First Singer To Sing In Nyishi – THE STORY MUG |url=https://thestorymug.com/taba-chake-arunachal-pradeshs-first-singer-to-sing-in-nyishi/ |access-date=2025-08-14 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Chake continued to perform with the band until 2011, after which he began his solo career.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=5 February 2021|title=Musical notes from the North East|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2020/feb/05/musical-notes-from-the-north-east-2099015.html|access-date=25 March 2021|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Datta|first=Sravasti|date=12 June 2019|title=Notes from Arunachal|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/notes-from-arunachal/article27868543.ece|access-date=24 March 2021|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In 2012, he pursued a [[Bachelor of Arts|Bachelor of Arts degree]] at Dera Natung Government College in Arunachal Pradesh. In 2014, he was awarded the title of runner-up in the 'All India Finger Style Competition' in [[Bengaluru|Bangalore]]. That same year, he received a scholarship to study music at the Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music in [[Chennai]], but left the program before graduating, citing dissatisfaction with the course.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Taba Chake's multi-linguistic musical journey reaches Sikkim |url=https://www.sikkimexpress.com/taba-chakes-multi-linguistic-musical-journey-reaches-sikkim |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Sikkimexpress |language=en}}</ref>

== Career ==
He began his independent solo career in 2012. He released his first EP, ''Bond With Nature'', in 2016, an album that features only guitar and vocals.<ref name="freepressjournal.in">{{Cite web |title=Taba Chake: 'All My Songs Talk About My Own Personal Experiences' |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/lifestyle/taba-chake-all-my-songs-talk-about-my-own-personal-experiences |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}}</ref>

His breakthrough came with the release of his debut 10-track album ''Bombay Dreams'' in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Muneef |date=2020-02-05 |title=Musical notes from the North East |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2020/Feb/05/musical-notes-from-the-north-east-2099015.html |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The album received significant recognition, particularly for the tracks "''Aao Chalein''", "''Shaayad''", "''Walk With Me''", "''Meri Dastaan''", and "''No Domo Lo''", which contributed to its success. ''Bombay Dreams'' received 12.2 million streams across all platforms and made it to No. 12 on [[Apple Music]]'s All Genre Charts. The album was co-produced by Ritwik.<ref name="Kirpal">{{Cite web |last=Kirpal |first=Neha |date=2020-11-07 |title=Multilingual singer-songwriter Taba Chake out with his latest single 'Blush' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2020/Nov/08/multilingual-singer-songwriter-taba-chake-out-with-his-latest-singleblush-2220122.html |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

In November 2020, He debuted the single "''Blush"'', a track inspired by both his friends’ narratives of love and his own experiences with a long-distance relationship. It received significant attention, accumulating over 4 million streams on streaming platforms.<ref name="Kirpal"/>

In 2023, Chake made his Bollywood debut as a playback singer with the song "''Aye Mere Dil''" for the film ''[[Kadak Singh]]'', released on November 8. He is regarded as the first artist from [[Arunachal Pradesh]] to debut as a playback singer in Bollywood and has also ventured into film music composition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-08 |title=Taba Chake becomes first Arunachalee to debut as a playback singer in Bollywood |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/entertainment/story/taba-chake-becomes-first-arunachalee-to-debut-as-a-playback-singer-in-bollywood-723102-2023-12-08 |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=India Today NE |language=hi}}</ref> ''[[Kadak Singh]]'', directed by [[Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury]] and produced by WIZ Films, features actors [[Pankaj Tripathi]], [[Sanjana Sanghi]], and [[Parvathy Thiruvothu]] in lead roles.

In 2024, Chake composed the soundtrack for [[I Want to Talk|''I Want To Talk'']], a film directed by [[Shoojit Sircar]], known for ''[[Piku]]'' and ''[[Madras Cafe]]''. Starring [[Abhishek Bachchan]] and [[Johnny Lever]], the movie premiered in theaters on November 22, featuring five songs by Chake.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Abhishek Bachchan's I Want To Talk Drops Soulful First Song Dil Ghabraye, Sung by Taba Chake; Watch Here |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/abhishek-bachchans-i-want-to-talk-drops-soulful-first-song-dil-ghabraye-sung-by-taba-chake-watch-here-9116869.html |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2024-11-11 |title=Indie artist Taba Chake makes Bollywood debut with 'Dil Ghabraye', first song from Shoojit Sircar's I Want To Talk |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/hindi/news/2024/Nov/11/indie-artist-taba-chake-makes-bollywood-debut-with-dil-ghabraye-first-song-from-shoojit-sircars-i-want-to-talk |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>

He has performed at prestigious music festivals, including the [[Ziro Festival of Music]], [[NH7 Weekender]], Axean Festival, and [[Royal Enfield]] Motoverse 2023. He performed at the Arunachal GI Mahotsav 2025 in New Delhi, an event inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister [[Chowna Mein]], showcasing the state's cultural heritage and indigenous products.<ref name="news18.com"/>

In 2025, He was officially appointed as a Brand Ambassador of Arunachal Pradesh's Arts & Culture Department by the Smt. Dasanglu Pul, after his significant contributions to promoting the state's rich cultural heritage through his music.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bharat |first=E. T. V. |date=2025-06-28 |title=Arunachal Pradesh Has Named Indie Musician Taba Chake The Honorary Brand Ambassador For Art & Culture In The State |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!lifestyle/arunachal-pradesh-indie-musician-taba-chake-brand-ambassador-culture-enn25062801363 |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=ETV Bharat News |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Shaji"/>

== Musical Style and Influence ==
Chake's music amalgamates [[indie folk]], [[acoustic pop]], and contemporary influences. His multilingual songwriting blending [[Hindi]], English, [[Assamese language|Assamese]] and [[Nyishi people|Nyishi]] sets him well-known in the independent music scene.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The peace of the hills meets big-city sounds in Taba Chake's music |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/people/multilingual-arunachali-musician-taba-chake-blends-his-northeastern-indian-roots-with-modern-music-genres/cid/1917721 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009130200/https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/people/multilingual-arunachali-musician-taba-chake-blends-his-northeastern-indian-roots-with-modern-music-genres/cid/1917721 |archive-date=2024-10-09 |access-date=2025-08-14 |language=en}}</ref> His lyrics were often inspired by the simplicity in portrayal of life in early songs by [[Don Williams]], [[Michael Learns to Rock|MLTR]], [[The Beatles]], [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Green Day]], and more.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferreira |first=Verus |title=Musicunplugged.in Interview: Guitarist from the Hills: Taba Chake |url=https://www.musicunplugged.in/interviews/interviews_info/251/10 |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=www.musicunplugged.in |language=en}}</ref>

His guitar techniques, particularly his [[Fingerstyle guitar|fingerstyle]] playing, have been influenced by Western acoustic musicians like [[Erik Mongrain]], [[Newton Faulkner|Netwon Faulkner]], ⁠[[Andy McKee]], while his storytelling style remains deeply rooted in his local heritage with his use of intricate guitar arrangements, rhythms, and percussive elements within his compositions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-13 |title=Home and Away: meet the Arunachal musician who is taking the Nyishi language to the world |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/arunachal-pradesh/home-and-away-meet-the-arunachal-musician-who-is-taking-the-nyishi-language-to-the-world-6116320/ |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

One of his notable songs from the album "''Bombay Dreams''", "''Walk With Me"'', became known in the indie scene for its simple yet evocative English lyrics and melody. The track was widely appreciated for its heartfelt storytelling and became one of his most-streamed songs. ''Shaayad'', another major hit from "''Bombay Dreams"'', blended melancholic acoustic tones. The song centers around the artist's contemplation, doubtfulness of giving life and his music career one final chance before considering stepping away from the industry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kader |first=Fathima Abdul |date=2021-06-08 |title=Taba Chake's Trilingual Album 'Bombay Dreams' Capture The Journey From A Small Village To A Big City |url=https://homegrown.co.in/homegrown-explore/taba-chake-s-trilingual-album-bombay-dreams-capture-the-journey-from-a-small-village-to-a-big-city |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Homegrown |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-08 |title=A tête-à-tête with Taba Chake {{!}} The Arunachal Times |url=https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2023/12/08/a-tete-a-tete-with-taba-chake/ |access-date=2025-08-14 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Later releases included ''Aao Chalein'', which achieved significant commercial success, amassing over 30 million streams. The track, inspired by Taba Chake's experiences in a small village in Arunachal Pradesh, became popular among Indian travelers and gained listeners internationally, including in Pakistan and parts of Europe.<ref name="freepressjournal.in"/> ''Blush'' introduced a more experimental sound while maintaining his folk influences, with richer instrumentation and varied vocal techniques. His 2020 single ''My Other Side'' adopted a more introspective and minimal style, blending elements from multiple musical genres in a cinematic arrangement.

His work on "''[[I Want to Talk]]''" demonstrated a new dimension of his artistry, as he explored film composition. The soundtrack featured melancholic ballads, uplifting acoustic tracks, and instrumental interludes, to the film's emotional depth.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-17 |title=Musician Taba Chake: Shoojit said my songs give hope to people |url=https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/i-want-to-talk-musician-taba-chake-shoojit-sircar-said-my-songs-give-hope-to-people-23430895 |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Mid-day |language=en}}</ref>

Chake's music explores themes of philosophical depth, with elements of [[indie folk]], [[Acoustic music|acoustic pop]], and contemporary influences. Most of his work engages with introspective emotions and reconnects with forgotten aspects of the inner self. Through poetic lyrics and profound melodies, his compositions emphasize a connection between individuals as well as with the natural world and the universe. His work has been described as exploring themes of pain and self-realization, featuring poetic lyrics and minimalist melodies, and often referencing ideas of interconnectedness with the natural world and the universe.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-02 |title=Taba Chake: My Music About Sharing Positive Ideas With People |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/taba-chake-my-music-about-sharing-positive-ideas-with-people |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}</ref>

== Discography ==
=== Studio albums ===
* ''Bombay Dreams'' (2019)

=== EPs ===
* ''Bond with Nature'' (2016)

=== Singles ===
* ''Blush'' (2020)
* ''Udd Chala'' (2023)
* ''Monot Pore'' (2023)
* ''Kahani'' (2024)
* ''In wadiyon mein''

=== Filmography ===

*''I Want to Talk (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)''

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chake, Taba}}
[[Category:1993 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian guitarists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male musicians]]

Taba Chake - Revision history

TawannaIbarra: stub