Ritika Bhattacharjee ’22: Pursue every passion
Ritika Bhattacharjee ’22 is a chemical engineering major, music performance studies minor, member of the engineering choir, Binomial Rhapsody ensemble leader, researcher and much more.
The Katy native initially wanted to study music full-time and received multiple acceptance letters to music schools. But Ritika's dad, Dr. Subir Bhattacharjee, encouraged her to pursue engineering instead and, because it has one of the best engineering programs in the nation, Texas A&M University was at the top of her list. After visiting Aggieland, it became her choice. And now that Ritika has been able to explore both her passion for music and engineering at Texas A&M, she knows she made the right decision.
“We’re people and Aggies before we’re musicians, engineers, etc.,” Ritika said. “And I think not having to choose says that Texas A&M cares about people more than anything else.”
Musical Background
Ritika credits her late mom, Rini, for her interest in music. Rini was a researcher with two master’s degrees, one in genetics and the other in biomedical engineering. Her diploma was in Indian classical music, and she was determined to have her children well-versed in the arts. So, Ritika and her brother Ritvik took voice and piano lessons as kids. At age 7, she and her brother auditioned and were selected to the Houston Grand Opera Company. That was Ritika’s first time seeing how music could become a career and she stuck with it, making all-state choir every year in high school.
Rini passed away from cancer Ritika’s senior year, but Ritika continues to find joy in and honor her mother through music. Although Ritika didn’t anticipate being able to pursue both of her passions, she did just that starting her freshman year in Aggieland.
She joined The Century Singers choir and was an officer, but ultimately decided it wasn’t the right fit. She wanted a more challenging musical experience, and felt it was her duty to be the change she wanted to see. So, Ritika wrote a proposal to the dean of the College of Engineering to start a choir. M. Katherine Banks, who now serves as Texas A&M’s president, had heard Ritika’s band Binomial Rhapsody before and agreed to the proposal.
Now, two years later, Ingeniare is a blossoming choir of 50 who perform at a variety of campus events. Ritika is most proud that the choir’s diversity mirrors the diversity within the engineering school, including many women and people of color. She added that Ingeniare officers attend Aggie ally and bystander prevention trainings so they’re better equipped to be an inclusive space for all Aggies.
“I decided I'm going to start this choir and it's going to be friendly towards people of color and all religions,” Ritika said. “We're not just going to sing liturgical music about Christianity, we'll sing and respect world music. And it's going to be a safe space for all minorities, including LGBTQ+ students.”
The origins of Binomial Rhapsody
Binomial Rhapsody started as a design project and grew into a band. Professor Shayla Rivera ’83 sent an email challenging engineering students to take math equations written on the bricks around the Zachry quad and turn them into music. Ritika was sitting next to Joshua Tia ’22 in calculus class and asked if he still had his guitar. Two weeks later, Ritika met the violinist, Christine Park ’23, in an engineering lab.
Josh had composition, heavy metal and jazz experience; Christine had played with a bluegrass band and orchestra; and Ritika had composition, jazz and classical experience. The independent musicians wrote music together, started making covers in their free time and performed whenever they could.
Ritika’s favorite memory of Aggieland comes from a band rehearsal at her apartment, which had glass practice rooms. They were going through their setlist and heard applause outside the room. People had gathered to watch the band rehearse like a mini concert.
Another great memory came from this same practice room. Ritika was rehearsing a rendition of Amazing Grace when a custodian passing by stopped to listen. After she was done, the two spoke about how he loved to sing and where she learned to play that kind of gospel music despite not coming from the Black community. She explained that friends introduced her to the song, and from that day forward the two spoke each time they saw each other.
Engineering and the arts
There are multiple avenues for expression within the engineering school. In addition to being in the choir, Ritika is a writer for the Ingenium blog and a host for the SoundBytes podcast. She credits Professor Rivera for the engineering school understanding the importance of the arts.
Rivera worked at NASA before doing standup comedy in Hollywood and then returning to teach. Ritika said these experiences shaped Rivera’s perspective and thanks her for her continued support.
“She understands how important it is to have both and so she really was my champion,” Ritika said. “None of this would be possible and I wouldn’t be in this position today without her support.”
Ritika is grateful she didn’t have to choose, because engineering has also taught her valuable life lessons. No matter what’s thrown her way, she’s learned how to be resilient and knows it will help her beyond Aggieland. She encourages other students with multiple passions to explore them all because being artistically fulfilled is critical to success.
Defying expectations
After graduation, Ritika plans to intern in Washington D.C. as part of the Public Policy Internship Program (PPIP). Then she will take a break at a silent retreat, before starting full-time with Accenture as a business consultant. In five years, Ritika sees herself doing something she loves and still composing music.
As she reflects on her favorite part of being an Aggie, “defying expectations” comes to mind. She doesn’t come from a family of Aggies, she’s not white, she’s not Christian or any of the other identities typically associated with being an Aggie. But even so, she feels part of the Aggie Family. As someone who didn’t always feel fully welcomed, she’s here to tell all prospective and current Aggies that the sense of family extends to them too.
“It doesn't matter if you are White or non-White, if you're religious or non-religious, wherever you come from, or if you're gay or straight or anything in between,” Ritika said. “The sense of family does extend to you. And if you need an invitation, this is it. I am here to say you belong.”
Ritika Bhattacharjee ’22 is a chemical engineering major, music performance studies minor, member of the engineering choir, Binomial Rhapsody ensemble leader, researcher and much more.
The Katy native initially wanted to study music full-time and received multiple acceptance letters to music schools. But Ritika's dad, Dr. Subir Bhattacharjee, encouraged her to pursue engineering instead and, because it has one of the best engineering programs in the nation, Texas A&M University was at the top of her list. After visiting Aggieland, it became her choice. And now that Ritika has been able to explore both her passion for music and engineering at Texas A&M, she knows she made the right decision.
“We’re people and Aggies before we’re musicians, engineers, etc.,” Ritika said. “And I think not having to choose says that Texas A&M cares about people more than anything else.”
Musical Background
Ritika credits her late mom, Rini, for her interest in music. Rini was a researcher with two master’s degrees, one in genetics and the other in biomedical engineering. Her diploma was in Indian classical music, and she was determined to have her children well-versed in the arts. So, Ritika and her brother Ritvik took voice and piano lessons as kids. At age 7, she and her brother auditioned and were selected to the Houston Grand Opera Company. That was Ritika’s first time seeing how music could become a career and she stuck with it, making all-state choir every year in high school.
Rini passed away from cancer Ritika’s senior year, but Ritika continues to find joy in and honor her mother through music. Although Ritika didn’t anticipate being able to pursue both of her passions, she did just that starting her freshman year in Aggieland.
She joined The Century Singers choir and was an officer, but ultimately decided it wasn’t the right fit. She wanted a more challenging musical experience, and felt it was her duty to be the change she wanted to see. So, Ritika wrote a proposal to the dean of the College of Engineering to start a choir. M. Katherine Banks, who now serves as Texas A&M’s president, had heard Ritika’s band Binomial Rhapsody before and agreed to the proposal.
Now, two years later, Ingeniare is a blossoming choir of 50 who perform at a variety of campus events. Ritika is most proud that the choir’s diversity mirrors the diversity within the engineering school, including many women and people of color. She added that Ingeniare officers attend Aggie ally and bystander prevention trainings so they’re better equipped to be an inclusive space for all Aggies.
“I decided I'm going to start this choir and it's going to be friendly towards people of color and all religions,” Ritika said. “We're not just going to sing liturgical music about Christianity, we'll sing and respect world music. And it's going to be a safe space for all minorities, including LGBTQ+ students.”
The origins of Binomial Rhapsody
Binomial Rhapsody started as a design project and grew into a band. Professor Shayla Rivera ’83 sent an email challenging engineering students to take math equations written on the bricks around the Zachry quad and turn them into music. Ritika was sitting next to Joshua Tia ’22 in calculus class and asked if he still had his guitar. Two weeks later, Ritika met the violinist, Christine Park ’23, in an engineering lab.
Josh had composition, heavy metal and jazz experience; Christine had played with a bluegrass band and orchestra; and Ritika had composition, jazz and classical experience. The independent musicians wrote music together, started making covers in their free time and performed whenever they could.
Ritika’s favorite memory of Aggieland comes from a band rehearsal at her apartment, which had glass practice rooms. They were going through their setlist and heard applause outside the room. People had gathered to watch the band rehearse like a mini concert.
Another great memory came from this same practice room. Ritika was rehearsing a rendition of Amazing Grace when a custodian passing by stopped to listen. After she was done, the two spoke about how he loved to sing and where she learned to play that kind of gospel music despite not coming from the Black community. She explained that friends introduced her to the song, and from that day forward the two spoke each time they saw each other.
Engineering and the arts
There are multiple avenues for expression within the engineering school. In addition to being in the choir, Ritika is a writer for the Ingenium blog and a host for the SoundBytes podcast. She credits Professor Rivera for the engineering school understanding the importance of the arts.
Rivera worked at NASA before doing standup comedy in Hollywood and then returning to teach. Ritika said these experiences shaped Rivera’s perspective and thanks her for her continued support.
“She understands how important it is to have both and so she really was my champion,” Ritika said. “None of this would be possible and I wouldn’t be in this position today without her support.”
Ritika is grateful she didn’t have to choose, because engineering has also taught her valuable life lessons. No matter what’s thrown her way, she’s learned how to be resilient and knows it will help her beyond Aggieland. She encourages other students with multiple passions to explore them all because being artistically fulfilled is critical to success.
Defying expectations
After graduation, Ritika plans to intern in Washington D.C. as part of the Public Policy Internship Program (PPIP). Then she will take a break at a silent retreat, before starting full-time with Accenture as a business consultant. In five years, Ritika sees herself doing something she loves and still composing music.
As she reflects on her favorite part of being an Aggie, “defying expectations” comes to mind. She doesn’t come from a family of Aggies, she’s not white, she’s not Christian or any of the other identities typically associated with being an Aggie. But even so, she feels part of the Aggie Family. As someone who didn’t always feel fully welcomed, she’s here to tell all prospective and current Aggies that the sense of family extends to them too.
“It doesn't matter if you are White or non-White, if you're religious or non-religious, wherever you come from, or if you're gay or straight or anything in between,” Ritika said. “The sense of family does extend to you. And if you need an invitation, this is it. I am here to say you belong.”