One of the leading Carnatic vocalists in the UK, former banker Supriya has collaborated with musicians from across the globe and creates original compositions for a range of audiences to enjoy.
Here, she talks to Business Matters about her business inspiration and advice she can give to other start-ups.
What do you currently do?
I’m a musician, composer and performer who strives to create inclusive, original music that explores the relationship between my birthplace in India and my hometown of Dewsbury in Yorkshire.
What was the inspiration behind your business?
Music has been a passion and love of mine from a very young age. I’ve been learning music since I was five-years-old and I took a change of career when I reached 39. It was quite a change as I switched from banking to music, but I’ve worked hard in the creative arts industry to have been able to set myself up as a musician for the last 13 years.
What defines your way of doing business?
Having been trained in the corporate world to now pursuing my passion of music, I’ve been able to see both sides of working and business and appreciate them too. Bringing my passion to life has really defined the Manasamitra business and how I set-up as a musician.
What do you admire?
I have a great admiration for resilience and how people bounce back and achieve great things. I attended an event with the British athlete, Dame Kelly Holmes, and was totally inspired by the fact that she came back from numerous injuries to win Olympic gold. I was sat next to her and watching a clip of her winning the gold and I was just in awe of how she triumphed over adversity. She was also incredibly humble about it too which I really liked.
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?
I would have probably taken up music earlier in my career but I’m not an ‘if only’ person because I like to be in the present. So, I don’t look at what could have happened because I’m enjoying what I am doing in the here and now.
What advice would you give to someone starting out?
Follow your passion and heart but keep your eyes open and your brain functioning. If you follow passions blindly, it might lead you down the wrong path. But if you do it in a considered way with your eyes open and you work hard, you will be able to make a success of your passion.
