Chandrika Tandon: A trailblazing musician and a global business icon

(September 9, 2023) In a world where many wear multiple hats, few individuals manage to wear them as brilliantly as the celebrated musician, Chandrika Tandon, who has made her mark not only in the realm of music but also as a global business leader. Back in 2009, she earned a Grammy nomination for the first time. And now, she is all set to release her new album, ‘Ammu’s Treasures’, on World Grandparents’ Day on September 10. “Ammu’s Treasures is a curation of my memories,” Chandrika said in a press release about her latest album, adding, “This music will connect with the memories of everyone who listens. It becomes a real bonding experience for families. These songs speak of faraway places, in different genres and languages, with varied arrangements, and are meant for quiet times, happy times, or any time, for any age.”

As if her musical prowess wasn’t impressive enough, this musician also holds the distinguished position of Chair on the Board of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. The school itself bears her name as a testament to her generosity and commitment to nurturing future engineers and innovators. Beyond the Tandon School, she assumes the role of Trustee at New York University, cementing her presence as a significant stakeholder in the university’s mission and vision. Additionally, she lends her expertise as a Trustee of NYU Langone Health, further illustrating her dedication to advancing healthcare.

The Global Indian, who is also business executive Indra Nooyi’s sister, is the esteemed recipient of the Gallatin Medal, an honor bestowed upon individuals who have displayed exceptional dedication to their respective fields. The Walter Nichols Medal for leadership and integrity is another jewel in her crown, recognising her unwavering commitment to ethical conduct and visionary leadership.

A humble start

Coming from a Tamil Brahmin household, Chandrika’s formative years unfolded amidst the vibrant streets of T Nagar in Madras. As a student at Holy Angels Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, she was not only academically exceptional but also proudly bore the standard for her school in numerous competitions. “I really sang before I could speak,” the musician said in an interview, adding, “Growing up, we came from a very simple family. I did thousands of chores growing up and would sing while doing those. So music was always a part of my life.”

But life wasn’t all that easy. From a young age, Chandrika Tandon was led to believe that an early arranged marriage was her preordained destiny. Her mother, ever the planner, began collecting stainless steel utensils for her future trousseau, from the moment Chandrika Tandon was born, all in preparation for the day when she would turn sixteen. In fact, in 1973, she had to resort to a hunger strike as a bold and determined protest in her quest to gain admission to the college of her dreams, Madras Christian College.

Chandrika with Indian PM Narendra Modi

The musician went on to pursue a master’s from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad – where she was actually one of only eight women in her batch. Her maiden professional venture led her to Citibank, thrusting her into the heart of war-torn Beirut. The city was a landscape marked by curfews, streets ablaze, and the constant threat of explosions. She vividly recalled that a movie theater she and a friend had visited was reduced to rubble the very next day.

Making the world a better place

At the tender age of 24, Chandrika Tandon embarked on her American journey, initially arriving to interview for a position at McKinsey & Company. With no American degree or green card to her name, she entered the interview room in a traditional sari and chappals, her attire completed by a borrowed coat. Not the one to give up so easily, Chandrika worked very hard at her company – eventually ascending to the esteemed position of partner at this renowned firm, making history as the first Indian-American woman to achieve this distinction. In 1992, Chandrika founded Tandon Capital Associates. Since then, she has offered her guidance to an array of esteemed clients, including but not limited to Chase Manhattan Corporation, Comerica, Unibanco (Brazil), Suncorp-Metway Ltd. (Australia), Fleet Financial Group, Bank of America, Rabobank, and ABN Amro.

The business woman with students at NYU

However, running a successful business wasn’t enough for Chandrika. The Indian-American has always been passionate about giving back to her community. She served as the Trustee of the American India Foundation from 2005 to 2011. The businesswoman founded the Tandon Global Clinics at the performing arts school Berklee to help Indian schoolchildren pursue music careers. In 2015, she and her husband Ranjan Tandon donated $100 million to New York University’s School of Engineering, after which the University changed the name of the institute to Tandon School of Engineering.

Musician at heart

Even while she was conquering the business world, Chandrika Tandon was always a musician. “I had a $5,000 bonus when I joined McKinsey. I had to pay my down payment for my rent. I had to pay a security deposit. I had to buy furniture. But I didn’t buy any of that, other than the down payment. I bought a Martin guitar for $1,800, and I bought a stereo system, which was the rest of the money. I had about $50 or so left for the next month. I ate rice and coriander chutney every single day that month because I didn’t have any money to eat. I had no furniture. I slept on a sheet. This is how crazy I was about music,” shares the musician.

Chandrika’s musical journey took flight in 2009 with the release of her debut album, “Soul Call“. It was from this album that the enchanting track “Om Namo Narayanaya” earned a Grammy nomination in the prestigious “Best Contemporary World Music Album” category.

A decade later, in 2019, this gifted musician graced the Kennedy Center, an iconic bastion of American art and culture, with an awe-inspiring performance showcasing her fourth album, “Shivoham.” Over approximately 100 mesmerising minutes, Chandrika Tandon delivered 12 soul-stirring songs from the album, accompanied by a stellar ensemble of ten world-class musicians. The performance culminated in a resounding ovation from the captivated audience, an acknowledgment of the magic she had woven on stage.

Chandrika at the Kennedy Center

“I chose to release all this music as one giant treasury for people of all ages, all over the world,” the musician recently said while talking about her latest release Ammu’s Treasures, “Because I believe that exposing even very young children to an extensive palette of music will leave a long-lasting impact – just like hearing Mozart in the womb. More is indeed more.”

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