Trophy Girl

I am the superstitious kind. I had put away the thought of winning a Grammy because of this sneaking fear that it would not happen if I kept thinking about it.

Written by Dipti Nagpaul D'souza
February 18, 2010 02:52 AM IST

3 min read

I am the superstitious kind. I had put away the thought of winning a Grammy because of this sneaking fear that it would not happen if I kept thinking about it. So the Grammy nomination was as good as forgotten. I had no plans to attend the big night at Los Angeles and was busy touring Australia and Dubai for concerts with Rahman sir (A.R. Rahman) and later I was in New York and Dubai for some of my own work.

Four days before the Grammy night,Rahman sir called me to say that we were attending the awards ceremony. The first thought that crossed my mind was,I wish I were a guy,because all Id need to do then would be to borrow a tuxedo. I was trying to figure out who would dress me up at such a short notice. Designer Tarun Tahiliani came to my rescue. We zeroed in on one of his sari-gowns in gold and embellished with Swarovski crystals since it gave the red-carpet essential an elegant Indian touch. I spent hours after that doing my hair and going through make-up trials. But the effort was worth it and finally I was ready to walk the red carpet.

This story requires a subscription

Select a plan and use IE10 code to get 10% extra off

POPULAR

EXPRESS EDGE

Daily ePaper access

Premium stories & archives

UPSC Section + UPSC Essentials Magazine

Premium stories & archives

UPSC Section + UPSC Essentials Magazine

Starts at ₹133/month

Best for UPSC aspirants

This story requires a subscription

Please Select A Plan

POPULAR

EXPRESS EDGE

Daily ePaper access

Premium stories & archives

UPSC Section + UPSC Essentials Magazine

Premium stories & archives

UPSC Section + UPSC Essentials Magazine

Starts at ₹133/month

Best for UPSC aspirants

Four of us had travelled for the Grammy night apart from Rahman sir and myself,there were the singers Blaaze and Vijay Prakash. Despite all the excitement around us,we all sat quietly without so much as a word being uttered unless absolutely necessary. We were also watching some of our favourite musicians on stage or seated next to us. Sir Elton John performed,as did Beyonce,Pink and other huge music icons. All the while,I didnt think about the award.

The excitement started when they started announcing the nominees. For those 15 seconds,as the names were called out,my feet and hands went numb. I would be lying if I said I was prepared to go back empty-handed with the thought all that happens,happens for the good. The otherwise cool and composed Tanvi was freaking out.

Those few minutes when we were on the stage were something else. I have fuzzy memories of them but I know we were so happy that nothing else registered. What was even more gratifying was the fact that the entire country had been backing us all along and we didnt let them down. The rest of the night went past in a blur we kept receiving calls from everyone in India to congratulate us.

To be a part of the team that won a Grammy,of course,means the world to me though the fact is yet to sink in. In terms of my career,it has raised the bar. I now have to perform at that level every time I take up an assignment. But it does not mean that anything else will change in my life. I hope to collaborate with other musicians in Bollywood and internationally. However,I will continue my parallel career in interior and jewellery design.