This is an archive article published on June 24, 2018

Singer Anushka Manchanda on the platform Nuka and her new release, Don’t be afraid

For Don’t Be Afraid, the first of three singles and videos that will be released this year, I worked with my long-time collaborator Navzar Eranee, who co-conceptualised and directed this video.

Written by: Parul

4 min readJun 24, 2018 12:02 AM IST

Anushka Manchanda

Tell us about Nuka and the Don’t be Afraid.

Nuka is a platform under which I will explore different mediums as a visual artist, editor, music programmer and creative producer. I have done a lot of work in the time I have spent in the industry, but this is a space where I have complete creative freedom and control. This is super exciting for any artiste. For Don’t Be Afraid, the first of three singles and videos that will be released this year, I worked with my long-time collaborator Navzar Eranee, who co-conceptualised and directed this video. It takes you through the journey of death, and the fear attached to the unknown. It is a visually stunning depiction of the way energy travels in our universe, never dying and always evolving.

What is the philosophy of Nuka, and your role as a producer and visual artist?

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The idea is to be authentic — to speak from the heart, do, say and present things in a certain way and only when they come from within. This is the driving force of Nuka. The questions that we ask ourselves before we do anything are ‘What are we trying to say? Why are we saying it?’ If I can answer these questions satisfactorily, then the project makes sense.

The video creates a connect with issues concerning our environment and, of course, human emotions, among others.

Tell us about the issues that are close to your heart and how you hope to create content and music that strikes a chord with what surrounds and affects us.

It is very clear when we look at what is happening in the world today, that we are losing our connection with nature. We disrespect our planet, each other as humans, and other beings that live on this earth. Nature has the answer to all our problems. It recharges us and nurtures us. We must reconnect with it. Animal welfare is a cause close to my heart, and so as the first project I did via Nuka was a photo story called Mute, where we created a creature that is half human-half animal.

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Mute was designed out of the desire to connect more with nature and other beings. It seems that we only feel a sense of loss when the subject is close to home. So, the creature we created is not real, but is very familiar. In a world where species are dying because of our carelessness and apathy, our attempt is to show you something which may help you pay attention to the beings we share our home with. The last image in that series evokes an emotional reaction and, from there, we direct you to the organisation that does excellent work with animal conservation. I want to do more work like this, which is high on aesthetics and evokes an emotional response.

How important is it for art and artistes to talk about real and present issues?

There are two sides to this. An artiste friend and I were having this discussion. She said that there is so much pain and destruction around us that she wants to create art that can help us escape all of this. I look at things a bit differently. I feel that we are going through our lives wearing blinders. There is so much apathy. I want to make art that brings attention to the things happening around us. Both of these ways of creation make sense to me.

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More

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