Tanvi Shah, the celebrated singer who skyrocketed to fame with her Grammy-winning performance for AR Rahman’s track “Jai Ho” from the movie Slumdog Millionaire, recently shared an emotional chapter of her life in a heart-to-heart with The Hindu. Shah, who once took the music industry by storm, encountered a life-altering challenge that tested her resilience and tenacity like never before.
A decade ago, Shah stated, “When God throws things at you, you should not disrespect it.” She was then a towering figure in the realm of music, recognized not only for winning the coveted Grammy but also for an array of successful performances and song recordings in various films. Her evenings were booked with concerts, and life seemed to brim with melodies till September of last year, when a subtle yet persisting unease took root in her mind.
Despite a doctor’s initial reassurance that everything was fine, Shah couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was amiss. She continued to travel extensively and keep up with her musical commitments from September 2023 to March 2024. However, the nagging feeling persisted. “I was constantly on the go, yet there was this lingering thought that something was not right,” Shah recalled. Known for her mesmerizing Tamil hit tracks with music maestros such as Yuvan Shankar Raja and AR Rahman, Shah decided to seek another medical opinion.
A series of tests in March confirmed her worst fears. March 27, 2024, became a day etched in her memory forever as she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The revelation marked the beginning of a grueling journey through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
“The process was difficult; my mind went for a toss,” she admitted, her voice tinged with the sorrow of those dark days. Simple tasks became monumental challenges; even holding a pen was an ordeal due to the tremors in her hands. Activities she once cherished, like writing her songs or journaling, became seemingly insurmountable.
Adding to her physical suffering were the second-degree burns caused by radiation therapy and significant hair loss. For months, Shah avoided mirrors, unable to bear the reflection of her altered appearance. “Believe me, for women, our hair is our ego,” she confessed. “I usually don’t like asking for help, but I’ve realised it’s okay to ask for help and it’s okay to not be strong all the time.
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During these trying weeks, Shah found herself withdrawing into a shell, despite medical advice to stay social. “I did not want to burden anyone with my struggles. I didn’t want people to share their stories or tell me what to do. What I craved was some peace of mind and the strength to battle through this.”
Support came in the form of regular workout sessions at Primal Patterns and Shambavi meditation sessions, which brought her some much-needed tranquility. “Those days of meditation were my sanctuary,” she noted.
While music had been Shah’s lifeline for years, she did not switch on any music for almost 45 days during her treatment. “Mentally, I was not okay to even switch on the shruti box,” she said. But Shah’s spirit was far from crushed. After enduring weeks of rigorous radiation therapy, the Grammy winner is gradually making her way back to the one thing that has always defined her—music.
With renewed zeal, Shah has resumed her riyaz for Hindustani classical music and is actively working on composing new songs. “I recently took out a pen from my fountain pen collection to write,” she shared, a small victory in her ongoing struggle. Not only is she hearing from promoters eager for her return to the stage, but requests are pouring in for her band ‘Tansha’ to perform a diverse range of music including Spanish, Arabic, and world music.
Even though she took a break to focus on her health, Shah assures her fans and followers that she is on the road to a powerful comeback. “I haven’t disappeared,” she declared openly. “I will come back, and when I do, it will be with full force. I feel like I’ve been given a second life.”
In a narrative that seamlessly weaves together pain, resolve, and hope, Tanvi Shah exemplifies the power of perseverance. Her story is not just a personal victory over cancer but a testament to the human spirit’s unyielding strength. As she readies herself for a triumphant return to the stage, her journey reminds us that setbacks are but pauses in the rhythm of life’s enduring song.
