Chanda started composing orchestral works at the age of 12, and has been described as a “phenomenal composer” (Ted Chung, Zacuto: Featured Filmmakers) and “quickly gaining recognition as a foremost black American contemporary composer.” (Anthony Parnther, Conductor, San Bernardino Symphony). Her works are described as “emotionally penetrating” and “rich”. Arts Boston named her one of “10 Contemporary Black Composers You Should Know”.

Chanda is known for her work on the Peabody Award winning documentary “Aftershock” (Disney/Onyx Collective), Netflix TV Original “The Defeated”, the Korean War era epic “Devotion”, the Whitney Houston biopic “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”, directed by Kasi Lemmons, Taylor Sheridan and David Oyelowo’s television drama “Lawmen: Bass Reeves”, MGM Studio’s “Blink Twice” directed by Zoe Kravitz, and the hit comedy “One Of Them Days” from Lawrence Lamont, Issa Rae and Sony Pictures. 

In 2022, Chanda was short-listed by the Academy for Motion Pictures for Best Original Score for her work on Sony Pictures’ “Devotion”, and once again in 2024 for her score for MGM’s “Blink Twice”. In 2024, Chanda received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series and a SCL Award nomination for her music to “Lawmen: Bass Reeves”.