Trophy girl

Four days before the Grammy night,Sir called me up to say that we are attending the awards ceremony. The first thought that crossed my mind was “I wish I were a guy” because all I’d need to do then would be to don a tuxedo. I found myself trying to figure out who would dress me up at such short notice.

I sought my cousin’s help and 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 make-up trials. But the effort was all worth and finally I was ready to walk the red carpet.

Four of us had travelled for the Grammy night—Rahman sir,Blaaze,Vijay Prakash and I. Despite all the excitement around us,we all sat quietly without so much as a word uttered unless necessary. We were of course also watching some of our favourite musicians on the stage or seated next to us. Sir Elton John performed as did Beyonce,Pink and other huge music icons. All this while,I didn’t want to think about the award.

The excitement started when they were announcing the nominees. For those 15 seconds as the names were being called out,my feet and hands were numb. I would be lying if I said that I was mentally prepared to go back empty-handed with the thought that ‘all that happens,happens for 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,vague 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 didn’t let them down. The rest of the night went past in a blur—we kept receiving calls from everyone here 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. But speaking in terms of my career,it has raised the bar. I now have to perform at that level every time I take up as 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.