Chandrika Tandon, a 71-year-old Indian-American vocalist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, has made history by winning her first Grammy Award for her album Triveni. The album won in the Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album category at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. This victory marks a significant milestone for Tandon, who triumphed over formidable competition, including Grammy-winning artist Ricky Kej and renowned sitar player Anoushka Shankar.
For Tandon, the prestigious award is another feather in her cap, adding to her illustrious career that spans several domains. She is also known for her role as a businesswoman and philanthropist. A trailblazer in the corporate world, she became the first Indian-American woman to be elected as a partner at McKinsey & Company. In addition, she has been involved in various charitable activities, including a notable $100 million donation to the NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering, which was renamed the NYU Tandon School of Engineering in recognition of her and her husband’s contribution.
Though Chandrika Tandon is highly respected for her achievements in business and philanthropy, she is perhaps best known in some circles as the elder sister of Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo. The two women hail from a conservative Tamil Brahmin family in Chennai, India, where Tandon was born in 1954.
Tandon’s journey in the world of music has been equally impressive. Triveni, her Grammy-winning album, was a collaborative project with South African flautist Wouter Kellerman and Japanese cellist Eru Matsumoto. Tandon had previously been nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for her album Soul Call but clinched her first win with Triveni.
Expressing her gratitude after the win, Tandon shared her thoughts on social media: “Day 5 of @recordingacademy GRAMMYS week – honored to receive a GRAMMY for our collaborative album Triveni. A moment that reminds me that music is love, music ignites the light within all of us, and, even in our darkest days, music spreads joy and laughter. Congratulations to all the other nominees in our category. Thank you for the music, and thank you for each and everyone that creates and supports the music; may all our lives be enveloped in Love Light Laughter.”
Chandrika Tandon’s Grammy win is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the power of perseverance and passion, proving that it’s never too late to achieve one’s dreams.
Sources By Agencies
