When life threw a curveball at singer Tanvi Shah, she took the challenge head-on. Known widely for her stirring vocals on the globally celebrated AR Rahman track ‘Jai Ho’ from the film Slumdog Millionaire, Tanvi Shah stands as an iconic figure in the world of music. A decade ago, in an interview with The Hindu, she shared a poignant belief: “When God throws things at you, you should not disrespect it.” Little did she know then that those words would resonate so deeply in her own life.
Back in those days, Tanvi was at the pinnacle of her career, an admired voice in the film industry, and notably, the first Indian woman to ever win a Grammy. Her life was a flurry of concerts, film recordings, and numerous engagements, firmly establishing her as a dynamic performer. The stage, she thought, was her eternal sanctuary, one that kept her busy till as recently as September of last year.
Yet, amidst her bustling schedule and the ceaseless applause, Tanvi felt an unsettling undercurrent. “From September 2023 to March 2024, I was constantly traveling and quite busy, but I kept thinking that something was not right,” she reflects. Despite a doctor’s initial assurance that nothing was amiss, this feeling persisted, urging her to seek further medical examination.
In March 2024, Tanvi received a life-altering diagnosis: breast cancer. A wave of surgeries, chemotherapy, and grueling radiation sessions followed. The treatment process tested her resilience and spirit. She recalls, “The process was difficult; my mind went for a toss. It was a task to even get through the day, and I felt damaged.”
The challenges did not end with treatment. Tanvi suffered second-degree burns from radiation and experienced significant hair loss, a visible reminder of the relentless battle within. “I could not get myself to look at a mirror for three months,” she admits, emphasizing the psychological toll of her physical transformation. This phase taught her an invaluable lesson: “It’s okay to ask for help and it’s okay to not be strong.”
Even so, Tanvi naturally retreated into isolation, despite medical advice to stay connected.
. The noise of well-meaning advice felt overwhelming. “The doctors advised me to speak to people, but I did not want to burden anyone,” she explains. Instead, she sought solace in quieter places: her workout sessions at Primal Patterns and Shambavi meditation sessions offered her a form of sanctuary.
Surprisingly, during this period, Tanvi muted the soundtrack of her life—her music. For over 45 days, she couldn’t bear listening to the shruti box or indulge in musical endeavors. This silence, however, set the stage for a profound comeback. Post-treatment, and after a tough hiatus from radiation treatments, she’s now gradually finding her way back to the music she loves.
Her renewed focus is on Hindustani classical music and creating new rhythms, nurturing ideas that were momentarily set aside. “I am doing my riyaz for Hindustani classical. I am also trying to create rhythms for the new songs that I wish to write. I took out a pen from my fountain pen collection to write only recently,” she says with a resolve enriched by her trials.
Calls for performances are also coming in once more. Requests for her band ‘Tansha’ to perform in Spanish, Arabic, and world music genres reflect her diverse musical appeal. Grateful for the patience and understanding of those around her, she embraces these opportunities as signs of better days to come.
Tanvi Shah is not just a singer rebounding from personal adversity; she is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Her promise to return “super strong” as a musical artist speaks volumes about her determination. “I haven’t disappeared,” she asserts, promising an extraordinary return to the stage. In her words, the journey has endowed her with nothing less than a “second life.” As she prepares to reconnect with her audience, Tanvi Shah once again redefines the power of music and resilience.
