GIRL ON RISE

In this edition of ‘WE THE WOMEN’ we present to you another gem of the State, who has brought laurels to this state, mesmerizing people world over with her melodious voice. Her list of accomplishments is sure to juggle your latent spirit and give you goals to work on. Tanya Gupta is a very talented and versatile singer who charmed the world with her voice at Asian Games 2010. Let’s find out more about her.

Tanya, born to Dr Satya Dev Gupta and Anita Gupta, father being a Doctor, wanted to become one herself, but this was just not to be- and for a good reason. After she started acting for Natrang, while still in school, it was a moment of realization for Tanya to know she is a performer at heart. This also led her to try singing for the plays occasionally. But for her to realize that singing would not only become her dream but her life, there was a lot to come.
Today Tanya can sing in various languages and flaunt a full concert in Tamil and a song in Spanish for a movie in her kity, for both of which she had to learn the dictions. But her journey initiated when she sung a Dogri Song in Republic day Parade in New Delhi a student of 9th standard. Tanya opted for Arts after school. Obviously choosing such path for herself was not easily engulfed but still her family supported her nevertheless.
“I took Arts and my training started under Prof. Baldev S Bali, Indian Classic singer-musician in my first year at Government College for Women, Parade,” she tells. To pursue a career in music, Tanya took a flight to Mumbai to explore her options and stayed there for over a year.
“When I was in Mumbai, I learnt that to become a singer I need to be an all rounder; that I needed to learn and practice other genres as well.” And so she did. Tanya got associated with ‘Pulse Nation’ which landed her at various events. Although Tanya used to sing at various events but her first big gig was ‘Bollywood in Dubai’ concert from where she got the job of guest faculty at Film & Music Academy where she worked for three years.
After coming back to India, her stage events continued. Till then Tanya has already performed at prestigious events and venues in India and abroad. But the event that made her known in almost every household of India was the closing ceremony of Asian Games 2010 in China which she ascertains ‘came as blessing’.
“I used to work a lot for Indian embassy and in one such event, Mr. Henry who was delegated to select singers for Asian Games 2010 from India, heard me. And that’s how I was picked for the prestigious events,” she reveals.
Tanya was one of the two Indian singers; other being Ravi Tripathi, who got selected to perform at the closing ceremony of the ongoing Asian Games in Guangzhou, which is known as the biggest extravaganza in history of events with a record beating audience of 8 lakh and 14.000 dancers. Tanya’s performance was viewed and cherished by millions of viewers worldwide.
Tanya shares an interesting incident recalling the event, “I was not expecting it to be such big news but it became one because of the fact that Chinese government issued me a stamped visa, instead of a stapled one because China considers Jammu and Kashmir a disputed territory and, thus, issues stapled visas to its residents.”
She further adds, “It really surprised me how I was investigated by the media about how I got the Visa. We validate that we are actually residents of a disputed territory by such suspects and questions. I went there to represent India, my nation and such questions seemed to demean such privilege,” she avows.
For the closing ceremony, Tanya and Ravi had several hit and patriotic songs in mind but on reaching China, they were informed that the background dance had been practicing for two months then on Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh Jana Sanam from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. “We were taken aback by the choice of song but we made few changes and added few lines in Chinese to fit the occasion and it turned out great.”
Other than Asian games closing ceremony in China, some of the other notable events in which Tanya mesmerised the audience and invitees with her dazzling voice are Durand football closing ceremony, Asia Pacific Entrepreneur Awards, Tata Equin Excellence Awards, Justice Markand Katju’s Pongal Fest, Sangeet Natak academy, DLF Mypad Launch, Google Luxery Expo, Navy Ball – Delhi, Navy Ball – Vizag, New Year Varuna Navy, New year Eastern command, Global Village Dubai, Sangeet Pratibha Sangeet Nataya Academy, Asian Business Awards Dubai, Alighar Mahotsav, Times of India 75th Aniverasry Celebrations, HT Youth Nexus, Nandikar theatre, Jashn-e-bachpaan and NSD.
“Nitu Mehra introduced me to Ex-Chief Nirmal Kumar Verma and his wife Madhulika Verma due to whom I got opportunities to participate in various events in Navy” shares Tanya. She adds, “We not only had celebratory events but outreach events to empower the Naval Widows. I believe in doing the little I can with the voice that I am blessed with.” To add on to her list of achievements Tanya has been felicitated by Former President A P J Abdul Kalam.
Tanya’s talent and versatility as a singer is audible if you have even heard her voice. For an artist who has achieved worldwide success as a performer and playback singer she has very simple goals. She believes that one’s ultimate goal should be to stay happy.
“Just remember that Happiness comes first and it comes from within,” says Tanya.
Currently Tanya is learning Western Classic. She loves to take out time sometimes to paint. She loves to travel, explore the food along with exploring that place, meet new people and connect with them. She believes that happiness resides in simple and small things. She expresses, “One should stay true to himself, be natural and treat others politely and equally.”
On state of women Tanya shares, “We cannot deny that we are still living in a Patriarchal society. Although women are coming forth but there is still a long way to go, for women to come at the equal level. Many women are still not aware of their rights and are made to believe that they are inferior to men. Such women need to be made aware and that can only happen if the empowered women lend their helping hands to such women.” She further adds, “Woman is epicenter of humanity as well as its growth and development but there are still many women facing inhumane things. This has to end. My mother has been my biggest support and I believe that’s how it should be; women understanding and supporting other women, be it your daughter or daughter-in-law, mother or mother-in law, sister, friend or colleague-anyone.”
To women out there, Tanya’s words are, “Keeping myself in the frame too, I would wish that every woman could follow their dreams, that despite hurdles they would not stop chasing their goals; they should stick to their passion, stay focused and live their life on their terms.”