Chandrika Tandon Wins Grammy At 71: Who Is She, Indra Nooyi Connection, And More

Day 5 of @RecordingAcad GRAMMYs week — honored to receive a GRAMMY for our collaborative album Triveni. A moment that reminds me that music is love, music ignites the light within all of us, and, even in our darkest days, music spreads joy and laughter. Congratulations to all… pic.twitter.com/Jf2bB1muBy

— Chandrika Tandon (@chandrikatandon) February 3, 2025

Chandrika Tandon Childhood

Born in Chennai in 1954, Chandrika Tandon grew up in a household filled with music, thanks to her mother, a gifted musician. Despite being raised in a traditional Tamil family where early marriage was often expected for young women, Tandon was determined to forge her path. Her passion for education led her to stage a hunger strike, convincing her mother and grandfather to let her pursue higher studies at Madras Christian College.

Initially drawn to law, Tandon’s interests shifted to business. She broke barriers by becoming the only woman in her class at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A), which was just the beginning of her trailblazing career.

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A post shared by Chandrika Tandon (@chandrikatandon)

Chandrika Tandon Professional Life

Tandon’s professional journey reached new heights when she became the first Indian-American woman to be named a partner at McKinsey & Company. Today, she lives in New York with her husband, Ranjan Tandon, founder of Libra Advisors. She chairs Tandon Capital Associates, a firm that advises over 40 global financial institutions.

Beyond her business success, Tandon is a dedicated philanthropist. Together with her husband, she donated $100 million to NYU, leading to the renaming of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. She also heads the Krishnamurthy Tandon Foundation, furthering her commitment to education and social causes.

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Even at the peak of her corporate career, Tandon never lost sight of her love for music. Through her non-profit label, Soul Chants Music, she has released several albums, including ‘Soul Call’, ‘Soul March’, ‘Soul Mantra’, ‘Shivoham - The Quest’, and ‘Ammu’s Treasures’. Her 2011 debut album, ‘Soul Call’, even earned her a Grammy nomination, setting the stage for her eventual win with ‘Triveni’.

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For Tandon, music has always been more than a hobby—it’s a way to connect with her roots and share her soul with the world. Her Grammy win is a testament to her dedication and talent, proving that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.

Chandrika Tandon & Indra Nooyi Connection

Chandrika Tandon’s achievements mirror those of her sister, Indra Nooyi, the former CEO and Chairperson of PepsiCo and one of India’s most influential women. Together, the sisters have become icons for Indian-American women, excelling in business, leadership, and the arts.

From shattering glass ceilings in the corporate world to creating award-winning music, Tandon’s story is a powerful reminder that passion, perseverance, and purpose can lead to extraordinary achievements at any age.

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