She is rooted in a culture that thrives on country music and ballroom dances. Part of the Anglo-Indian community that is spread across the globe, Vanny Bourne is a naturalised Australian now.
Vanny, who has been making her presence felt in the Country Music scene in Australia, will wow her audiences in Chennai, come Friday. “When I was 10, I realised that I had an affinity for singing; a trait that I picked up from my mother who used to play the guitar and sing country songs to entertain the family. Unfortunately, my voice was never appreciated. I was determined to excel and make a living out of it. I was 17, when we migrated to Australia, where I completed my education,” says Vanny, who is originally from Bangalore, and is working on her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. “My Ph.D. is currently on hold, as my singing profession has taken off in a big way.”
It has been a hectic year-and-a-half, since Vanny began singing professionally. “I recorded five cover versions of popular country songs, shot a few videos and uploaded them on YouTube. These went viral, and I started getting offers to perform. While I’m happy to sing live all the songs that I grew up with, I am also keen on two things — to ensure that the people who listen to me feel an emotional connect with their families and their lives as they were and to channelise whatever I earn towards helping some of my favourite charities. Music came to me late in life, and I think it was divine intervention that made me a singer,” says Vanny, whose Chennai performance will be a fundraiser for Anglos In The Wind Charities.
“Back in Melbourne, I have performed at seven charity shows, sponsored two dance events and sung over 120 songs — all of which I hope evoke nostalgia for the Anglo India that once was. In a way, it’s my attempt to revive a diminishing community.”
Vanny is also writing and recording an album of her compositions and hoping to finalise a deal with an independent label soon.
Vanny Bourne will perform on September 18 at The Museum Theatre, backed by a specially-put-together band comprising Bruce Lee (guitar), Maynard Grant (drums), Ivor Johnson (bass), Shravan Sridhar (violin), Kervin Mathew (rhythm) and Anish Chacko (keyboard). For tickets, contact the organisers, Anglos In The Wind or call 4208 0058, 98413 97502 or 98841 42169.
