Meet Tanya Nambiar, a New Delhi-based singer-songwriter, anchor, voice-over artist, and co-founder of fresh hot sauce brand “El-Diablo.” Tanya has a soulful voice that can cast a magical spell on listeners. She has made a name for herself, even though it has never been easy to become a professional musician in India. In 2012, she was awarded the Best Karaoke Host at the Provogue Nightlife awards.
How Tanya Nambiar got into music?
Tanya Nambiar – I come from a typical middle-class family. I’ve seen my parents struggling, so I have desired to be financially independent since my childhood. I was part of a school band and participated in many music competitions. After I completed school, I started working in parallel with my graduate studies. Music is something connected with me throughout.
Even after my graduation, when I started a full-time job, I attended karaoke nights, and eventually, I started hosting it. But, I never thought to continue it as a profession because I was bought up around people who consider it a hobby, not a profession, especially when you are not financially strong.
My real journey began when I left my fine corporate sales manager job. I had saved enough money to pursue what I’m passionate about. I remember my mother always telling me, “Jo bhi karo poore dil se karo warna mat karo” (if you are doing something, don’t do it halfheartedly). I am lucky to have such supportive parents.
Can you tell us about your band “The Gravy Train”?
Tanya Nambiar – I quit my job at the age of 24 and started making a list of things I’m good at. I noted down my strengths and weaknesses. I firmly believe that the idea of what you want to do in life can hit you at any age. It could be 15 or 25 or 40. For me, it was at that very moment. I decided to create my brand and thus formed ‘The Gravy Train’ band in December 2012.
We got our first show slot for 10 minutes, and I cannot explain that moment in words. It was magical. I was finally doing something which makes me happy. Everything was going well for two and a half years, but then my band broke up. I was very disheartened.
How did you make a comeback as a solo artist?
Tanya Nambiar – For about a year, I just wrote songs. But then, I consoled myself, and I decided to make a comeback with more power. The thing I love about failure is that it teaches you to become better. Failure always pushed me towards my dreams rather than disappointing me. So, I decided to turn everything I enjoy into my profession. I figured it out and got into voice-over and then anchoring. In 2015, I re-launched as a solo artist, and there was no looking back. I recently won “the Best Overall Female Act” award at VIMA Music Awards.
What is El Diablo?
Tanya Nambiar – In the year 2016, I got married. My husband is a chef. He is very talented. We together started our own natural sauce-making company called El Diablo Sauces.
Is being an entrepreneur challenging?
Tanya Nambiar – Being an entrepreneur is not an easy task. We prepared the sauces at our home only for some good days, we quit going out, but we didn’t stop. We are still working hard for our company. Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out. I believe the will is everything. If you are passionate enough about your work, you will achieve your goals.
How do you manage both your love for music and business?
Tanya Nambiar – I believe having numerous professions isn’t tough if you have an interest in your work. I divide my time. As a self-employed person, I have to juggle a lot. So I pen down things I have to do and then do it. I hate sitting idle. I love to work and love what I’m doing, which is what makes me keep going.
To people who are reading this, I wanted to tell them that
‘Life never gets monotonous because there’s always so much to do.’
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