Meet Indian-Origin Artist Priya Darshini, Nominated For Grammy Awards 2021

Mumbai born and New York-based singer Priya Darshini got nominated in 63^rd edition of Grammy Awards. The 37-year-old singer gained the recognition for her debut album Periphery, released on May 15, 2020, which has been selected under Best New Age Album category. Comprising of nine songs, the album is a piece of soulful music out of the harmony of different styles, genre and cultures. Darshini not only explores a feminist perspective in the album but also traces her identity as a South Indian living in New York. But, did you know that Darshini is an actor, ultra-marathoner, an entrepreneur and a philanthropist too? Read on to know about this multi-talented Indian-origin woman nominated for the Grammy.

Her Career As An Artist

Born in Goregaon, Mumbai, to a Tamil family Darshini is trained in classical (Carnatic) music and finds her interest in making cross-cultural music. She derived her interest in classical music from her grandmother who was Bharatnatyam dancer and a classical vocalist and whose name was also Priya Darshini.

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Priya Darshini has sung for over 100 TV and radio commercials and has also recorded award-winning soundtracks for Indian movies. Throughout her singing career, she has worked with renowned musicians like Pearl Jam, Roy “Futureman” Wooten, Jeff Coffin, Philip Lassiter, and ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro, among others.  Recording mainly Carnatic music, Darshini made her debut album in American hip hop with the Grammy-nominated Periphery, manufactured by Chesky Records. The album is a fusion of traditional Carnatic music and American pop. The songs featured in the album are "Jahaan", "Lonliest Star", "The Banyan Tree" and "Sanware Sanware" among others. Through the album, Darshini explores the meaning of home while exploring her multicultural identity of a Tamil girl, born in Mumbai and transplanted to New York.

Darshini is also a part of many bands like Epichorus, the Karsh Kale ensemble and Priya Darshini Trio and Woman's Raga Massive. She is the founder and lead of Priya Darshini Trio and co-lead of Woman's Raga Massive. She also co-produces a festival known as Out of the Wood running for three years.

Apart from singing, Darshini has made a mark as an actor too. She aced the role of Shubhashini Das in2014 movie The Letters which was based on Mother Teresa’s life.

Her Career As An Entrepreneur

Darshini is also a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who supports cancer patients. She runs her family's NGO Jana Rakshita, launched in 2004 in Mumbai, that offers medical treatment and rehabilitation service to underprivileged children and adolescents affected by cancer. The NGO has also adopted a girl’s school to improve its infrastructure, encourage girl education and prevent them from dropping out due to sanitation and hygiene issues.

Finally, Darshini is an ultra-marathoner. She holds the record of being the first and the youngest woman to run a 100-mile race in the Himalayas. After interacting closely with the Sherpas during her marathons, Darshini was moved by knowing how their lives were exploited, especially by the giant corporates. Subsequently, she launched an enterprise called The WindChasers that organises ultra-marathons and uses the generated revenue to support the Sherpas and their families.

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