From Backstage with Coldplay to Building an Artist Empire | Parul Mundra | Ep.19

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Speaker D: We worked for the Ambanis. We performed at the Jamnagar. Um, we were also at the Mahakumbh. There is nowhere that we've not taken poetry.

Speaker E: Were people doubting your ability to be a talent manager?

Speaker D: No, I don't think that happened at all.

Speaker E: It was a very male dominated sort of environment. How did you manage that?

Speaker D: They were never used to taking orders from a woman. What Tarashana means is carving and finding and having an eye to detail. I want to live by it. I want to have this in Tarajna. I think it defines me also. Even if I was in a mental breakdown or even I was sick, if I was heartbroken, I always remember I was still working. Nobody comes back to you. Nobody's waiting to hire you. Nobody's waiting. You have to stand up for yourself. So if someone's so passionate and interested in production or anything that they're doing in their life, show up for it. Show that you're interested.

Speaker E: Welcome. Welcome everyone to another episode of Everyday Empires. Have the wonderful Paul Mundra here of Tarajna, uh, talent management. As with anyone, we want to start with sort of. Where was the genus of your journey? How did you get into the industry? What was your thinking of how you're going to get into this wonderful industry you're in?

Speaker D: The one thing I knew was that I wanted to do events. So I found all the ways to come to Mumbai. That was the city where you usually would find live events happening. So, um, I got myself enrolled in a college in Mumbai. College was my first step into Events, but it was only like volunteering for big events. And I knew that I do want to do more than that. So after I did a few, say, maybe two or three, the word of mouth actually spread and I started doing a lot of freelance events. Now, in the curiosity, I saw that I was always asked to do, like, client servicing or hospitality. And I really wanted to know why not production? So I knew there was this company named Production Crew, which was doing like, great. And I just knew there was no. Somebody told me that they don't take girls. Uh, and so the company that I was working with, which was Rising Events, I would do a lot of events with them. I went back and I said I wanted to do production, and. And they said, okay, why don't you start with soft production? And soft production is decor, linen and stuff like that. So I did have a fair knowledge and they did give me the opportunity to do production at a basic level. And just one day I got a call from Production Crew, asking me, would you do backstage for the Life stage in a festival? And Life Stage is usually very complicated because it has a band. So that was my first event, Enchanted Valley. It used to happen in, uh, Ambivalley. Then there was no going back. I got introduced to Production Crew. They loved me, if I may say, they loved me. And, um, that was the day I stopped doing all the freelance events that I was doing. And I was constantly doing only production events. And soon after, I was hired in Production Crew.

Speaker E: Wow.

Speaker D: So.

Speaker E: And give us a flavor of some of the events you've done, because I heard Coldplay has been a big part of, of your career as well.

Speaker D: Coldplay has been like a breakthrough event for me. Like, that event was a place where I actually checked my capabilities. I knew how capable I was because at Coldplay, I was injured. I was in Udaipur for another event and I met with an accident. So I. My neck was injured. I walked into the venue wearing, you know, neck support. So I remember, um, I asked myself, can Production Crew look for a replacement? Like, would. Can Parul be replaced at that moment? Such last minute, it's. It's a week or a week and a half to go for the event and this has happened. So I asked myself, I'm not going to miss this opportunity. I will go on the ground, I will do what I'm supposed to. And I was really agitated on the ground as well, because physically I could not give in so much. I was sleeping at 3am I was waking up at 6am but the first event I Realized that Tech riders, Hospitality Riders, heavy Hospitality Riders because it was Coldplay before that. I've only done national before that. I've only managed artists backstage at a national stage. And that was international. I had Jay Z, I had Coldplay, obviously, and I had Demi Lovato. The first time I saw hospitality riders of 12 pages, oh my gosh. And we had a whole, um, German hanger as their. Backstage, as their rooms. So earlier I'm just dealing with vanity vans and maybe like an octinum structure of a green room straight to a German hangar. And we are building everything from inside, from sourcing everything they want as per the riders. As for. And the food requirements are also very specific.

Speaker E: You mentioned a few things in terms of, you know, certain companies not hiring girls or sort of, um, perhaps being in a position where it was a very male dominated sort of environment. How did you manage that?

Speaker D: Um, one was curiosity that I had. I think I would always need answers. It was just questioning first why I couldn't do a certain job or why couldn't I do something in particular. However, lucky for me, I got into production and I did not have to rush into it, uh, chase this industry because I, I knew what I wanted.

Speaker F: Yeah.

Speaker D: But I do feel there is, um, there is a doubt. I mean it's not about women being, um, not involved in something. They're not excluded. But usually people doubt it. It's hesitant. Women have to prove themselves in a certain way. I mean equality for that matter, um, is something which is, still has to evolve, I feel. So it was never that I was excluded out of something, but always had felt like you had to prove yourself a little bit more than the others. Right. And that, that's also with production.

Speaker E: Why did that doubt exist? What was it about the role that people went, maybe we shouldn't have, huh? A woman do this role. We should have a man do this role.

Speaker D: For example, the first question that would be asked to me was, can you stay late at night? I was an independent girl. I was staying in a city. I did not have to go back home. But there were restrictions on people. There were restrictions on girls who would stay with families or if families were not really okay with the career that, the career that, the career that they have pursued for themselves. These are the restrictions that girls, women genuinely face. The fact that women are in all the industries right now is by itself such a win. Win. Right. It's not always about who's getting recognized, but like the change will actually happen when you see more girls in rooms like this. Obviously, men can stay longer. They can do night shifts. Production is usually a hard, uh, environment. You're on ground, you're in the sun. Um, not always do we have the perfect hygiene around. And girls do require that. I was in Lavasa for a festival, and I remember the hotel was 18 km away and we were doing production in the middle of nowhere. And, um, if I had to use the restroom, I would either go. I mean, if I had to have the choice, go in the wild or go 18 kilometers away. So I had to plan myself and have that, uh, buffer time.

Speaker E: Are you seeing there being change now? Is there a little bit more of a thought about how to make the working environment a bit more female friendly? Are you seeing things change since you were last in it all those years ago?

Speaker D: 100%. Because when I was in production crew, I was always at backstage alone. Now there's a time that I started interviewing more women when we also grew our work and when we had multiple festivals or concerts going at the same time. I would have, you know, more paruls with me now from being the only one at backstage. Now I had a team of girls. So I think that's what changed in production crew also. That's something. That's the initiative I took. I wanted more girls around, and it's always better. You feel so much more comfortable when you have more girls. I mean, it should always be an equal environment. Right? I saw so many young talents in production like these girls were. They had the same energy. Like, you know, I was so happy with the team we had back then in production crew, uh, to name a few, like Latika Manali. Like, these girls were exactly the sort of girls I was looking for. So I knew there were girls like me, you know, and that really made me aware that there are so many girls who want to do production. And, uh, I was happy that I could. Even if there was a little change that I could do at that point, I was happy I could build a team. Even. Kudos to production crew for from. From, you know, being known as the company who do not hire girls and now they're girls in production crew. I mean, that change is there definitely.

Speaker E: I think change can also happen quite quickly because once you've got a parl who's building a team, then you have another one or members of your team will go off into other companies and do similar things and start to change the culture a little bit. And then quickly, if you had a team of 10, if they're all going to 10 different places, then that's potential change across the industry.

Speaker D: That's exactly what the girls felt. They felt that production was only a male's job to do and that's why nobody really came up for it. And now when they would see me, I'm also active, very active socially. So I'm sure when people saw me post and I was at every concert, so live events.

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Speaker D: Something which is the talk of the town, right? So I was doing almost every, every concert, every live event and I saw girls texting me, dming me that what's the way to get into production? And every girl that I found who had some interest, I would say, why don't you like, let's talk, let's do something.

Speaker E: If someone wants to get into the industry now, into production, into the production world, what would be your advice?

Speaker D: What would be my advice? Um, make sure the people you're working with are generous enough. I mean, equality is not about sameness. Like we don't want sympathy, but women just want trust and access. For example, if you are at a remote situation, they would also be considerate that you are a woman. And these are some things that they would also have to take measures if they are working with women in production. Because you don't want to work with somebody you can't align with. It's not hard otherwise, do your homework. It's a male dominated industry, so know your things.

Speaker E: Well, I think what you're saying and I think is a very fair point is that it's not necessarily you don't want to have special treatment in the sense of get access over someone else because of, because you're a woman. It's about providing a level playing field for everyone so that when you are applying for the production side of a job that you have the equal weighting. All these other social elements are not or at least discussed rather than assumed. Is that broadly right? I want to make sure that we, if someone's understanding how do we get more women into an industry, it's not about creating, you know, an unfair advantage. It's about creating a level playing field. And what does that truly mean?

Speaker D: I mean, I also feel that not everything is gender based. Not every setback is gender based. So it's important to know that if there was a. No, that's not discrimination as well. You should also understand that there was timing involved. There might have been like, uh, you know, like true capabilities at that point. Right. So that really matters. So not every setback is gender based. So that's something I would like to tell the other side as well.

Speaker E: Yeah. And I think, I think it's important to recognize that your growth has come off the back of your effort and your talent and your hard work. It's got nothing to do with anything else. So if someone were to try to get to where you got to back in 2021, doing all these amazing events and working with Coldplay and Jay Z and all these amazing uh, uh, crews and uh, and of course artists, then you need to be at a certain level. You know, that is, that is the minimum requirement.

Speaker D: Yeah.

Speaker E: And so um, hustling and getting there is, is something no one should be afraid of if they want to obtain that.

Speaker D: I think being consistent also, when I was younger I was always into survival mode. So for me, I didn't have a lot of family distractions. I didn't have where people would go out for holidays. They'll do that. Like I felt like even if I was in a mental breakdown or even a sick condition. Yeah. Whatever, whatever I was doing in life, uh, if I was heartbroken, I always remember I was stuck still working. So consistency obviously matters. You know, it's, it's, it's simple. You go from point A to point B, the result is going to happen. It's just simple maths. So if you're consistent in a specific field, you will expertise at what point? I've seen people, they, they're doing something, then they're on a break for six months and seven months and then they want to come back to the industry. No, it's not going to be the same. People won't recognize you the same. They would not like, you know, you have to be. You have to show up. So why do they say you always have to be at a networking event? Because you, you're out of mind. You're out of, you know, you're out of sight. You're out of mind. Yeah, it's important to keep telling people, this is where I am. This is what I'm doing. You do something, it's out there. So, yeah, it's, it's a chain. It's also like, nobody comes back to you. Nobody's waiting to hire you. Nobody's waiting. You have to stand up for yourself. So if someone's so passionate and interested in production or anything that they're doing in their life, show up for it. Show that you're interested. I, I could possibly be recognized because they always found me being the curious one. Right. That's important. When you go on ground and on venues, ask questions. It's so small. It's. But it's so necessary. Who was the vendor? There were times that you would come back from an event and you don't know who is the vendor, the basic vendors. That's what production is all about, networking, knowing the vendors. So absolutely, if you don't know them personally, if you don't know how, how this was built and who built it, what is production otherwise?

Speaker E: Yeah. What I always say to people, young people, especially as they're trying to come through, um, because a lot of people go, I don't want to bother you with questions because, you know, you're so busy. Of course they're busy. But the one thing certainly I love to do is to answer questions because then I know that they're learning. And obviously I want to share what I've. What I've learned as well. I want to test my own understanding. Um, and things might have changed as well, especially in the accounting world. And rules change literally every year. We have to keep up with things. So if people are asking me questions, not just clients, but younger members of my team, I love it. And so often, you know, when I'm answering a question, like an office environment, someone else were over here, but, oh, I didn't know that. And they're like two or three years their senior, and they go, okay, great, we'll join the conversation and let's talk about it. So I think it's, uh, to any young person listening, don't be worried about asking questions because your, your seniors are more than happy or should be more than Happy to answer them.

Speaker D: You know, they always say that the actual superpower is not showing them what you are good at. It's showing what they're good at. Right. So even if they come up with problems, I will tell them that this is what you are good at, and this is what exactly you should. You. And, you know, you never know what comes out from where, so nobody should be hesitant about asking because it's okay. If you weren't great at that, I'm sure you're good at maybe, you know, something else.

Speaker E: Signs of a great leader.

Speaker D: Yeah.

Speaker E: So we're sitting in 2021.

Speaker D: Okay.

Speaker E: Live Covid has knocked the world for six. Your live events are obviously not happening.

Speaker D: Yeah.

Speaker E: And you must have been sitting at home going, what the hell should I do with my life? So this is where I presume the seeds of Darshana were kind of sort of being planted and sort of blooming. So walk me through that sort of the mindset you were in at that time, and how did you come up with sort of your next amazing, uh, journey?

Speaker D: So Tarashna wasn't intentional. Like, the Rashna did not come out of a business idea. It came out very naturally when obviously, live events weren't happening. And I was sitting and thinking, what am I supposed to do? Because. So I thought to myself, what would I do? Because weddings is something that's happening. Corporate events, it's something that happening. So I went back, um, to do a freelance event after, like, what, seven years or six years after being in production crew, and it felt really weird to do freelance again. And I saw an artist walk in. And besides every other artist who were coming in with the managers and everything, I found him. He was alone. And, uh, I was like, where's your manager? And he said, I don't have one. And I saw him at the sound check. Amazing person, amazing talent, very intelligent artist. And I said, you know what? You're such a great talent. You do need a manager. And the idea was not that I would be your manager. I really wanted him to get one. But during the next two months of, um, the journey of finding him a manager, I told him, you know what? I'll become the manager that you need because you're so great. And that's how overnight, I decided that I would be a manager. And I changed my career completely.

Speaker F: Wow.

Speaker E: And I'm sure even then you probably weren't thinking, I'm going to run a big talent management agency. You were just thinking, I just, I'll help this guy because he deserves it.

Speaker D: Yes.

Speaker E: From a, from a, from a sort of comic, worldly perspective, his talent should

Speaker D: be, you know, recognized and protected also. This was always in me. I would always naturally try to help all my underrepresented talent, like, you know, artists or friends around. Because I remember I was very closely working with the dancing community. I always seen them being not respected. Like there was always this gap of how they should be paid and what they were actually getting or even basic hospitality. So I would always see them struggle. The one thing I noticed was struggle. And because I was already doing, you know, I was already dealing with such great artists, big artists, and I've closely worked with them. I already knew the backend. So I would very naturally, very organically tell them, why don't you give my number? You know, because I didn't want to see my friends struggle. I would, why don't you give my number? Like, I'll speak for you. So I remember it came out very naturally by helping others, it's quite clear

Speaker E: to see your production sort of management skill sets being so useful to artists, um, helping them through their own journey, helping them perform. And that's, uh, probably quite rare for many, um, I don't know many talent management agencies that have any level of experience in the production side. Within the same person, obviously. Within the same agency, perhaps. But you can sit there and honestly look these artists in the eye and say, I know what's going to happen because I did that damn job for so many years. This is what you should be doing. This is how you should be doing it. Don't feel nervous because, you know, we've managed this and we've managed that. So do you, do you see that crossover in your skill set that you built up in your earlier career into Tarashna? And was it something that. Were you consciously sort of thought, forget

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Speaker D: I feel that when I started doing artist management is when I realized that how, how naturally it flew in within, because I was always on ground doing what I wanted to do. And also I already knew the industry. I only found myself bumping into people I knew. And, uh, you know, there was always a crossover people telling me that this is why the delay is happening or this is why the problem is. And India is not a very systematic space to work in. So every time someone walked in with a problem, I always had an answer saying that I know this is not happening because of this. And, you know, however, you can just tell me if you're not prepared. Please don't tell me there's a delay this way or a technical delay, because if you would have started at a particular time, it would finish anyway. Howsoever, that definitely worked in my favor and my artist could see that value. And I think that was something that was also a game changer for me. I didn't know how both the worlds would connect, but they actually worked in my favor.

Speaker F: Yeah.

Speaker E: And I think it's important to note that your general sort of name with the industry as a, uh, production manager was carrying over into whatever power does. Generally, it's probably going to be of a good standard because you're associated with that. So I imagine if someone came across you and knew you as a production manager, but now you're in talent management, they go, okay, that's fine. Did you see that? Or were people doubting your ability to be a talent manager?

Speaker D: No, I don't think that happened at all. Because one, um, wherever. When I was doing production, I think I was well recognized. People trusted me for my job and what I would do. Like, I've always, I've always been a hard worker and I, I didn't see that hesitation or doubt, um, in production days, the only hesitation or doubt if ever somebody has given me would be laborers or the people, because they were never used to taking orders from a woman. That's the first layer of hesitation or doubt that I had to break because nobody was taking authority like that. When someone walks in and tells them what to do and that's a woman, they'll be like, oh, and soon enough, when you show them what you're capable of, that was completely gone. But back again in artist management, I've only seen people feel happy for me that, oh, she was doing this. And I've only seen people be excited.

Speaker E: So it sounds like you have great people around you.

Speaker D: I Do.

Speaker E: It's such a common thing where, um, people start something different or they start a business or they pivot. I've had so many clients come through or be like, my parents don't back me. My siblings don't. Don't care. Uh, even my partner doesn't even back me. I'm here because I have a sheer determination to do this. And so often doubt is like an energy fuel. So I'm going to prove these guys wrong. On the other hand, all of them would wish that they had a support network, especially from an emotional perspective. So it sounds like you have. You had great people around you. Was that because you focus on having positive, great people around you, or was it just. It just so happened.

Speaker D: So I'll also tell you after I moved from production to artist management is when I also understood the sort of support I had, because I just saw people walking up to me and saying, parul, if you need anything, if you need more mentorship, if you need any guidance, I am there for you. All the people that I've ever worked with, maybe my mentors, because at that point they were founders and CEOs of certain companies. And one thing was that I obviously was attending, uh, more networking events. I was actively representing Tarashana. So when I was there representing my own company, I could see that change. And then that was the moment I realized how many people are with me. And that was a really beautiful feeling because. And it also speaks that you really do have to prove yourself somewhere. Right. To get that from people and the ones that are not happy with the growth or. And I just eliminate if I feel someone's not happy with my growth. Uh, the energy is not matching. I just eliminate. I am not at a position or to have that sort of energy in my life. It's very important. Entrepreneurship is not simple. You have to give it your all. So when I actually built Tarashana and officially had Tarashana registered, I knew things were getting serious. And it's easy to open a company, but to upscale is a challenge. To upscale and constantly. Because now you've entered a world with a lot of competition. Earlier, I was in competition to anybody, or it was easy to live. You know, you're doing. You're a personal manager, but the moment you enter, you know, you have to constantly upscale yourself to be relevant in the industry. And I think that's challenging, and that's something very important.

Speaker E: Absolutely. I want to go back slightly to a topic you mentioned around eliminating people who are sort of not good for you or sort of contribute to your. Your positive sort of, uh, growth. How do you do that?

Speaker D: I would not give up on somebody. Like, I would not stop sharing for them. But I know when I've burned out sharing for them or when I've reached saturation, I would not ever. I would never stop being a good human, you know, I would never stop that. Even to the bad people. I would do my karma, right? I would try to reach out. I would ask them if there's something wrong in their life. I would do my bit. And even after that, if I understand that they're just off, and I would just give them, like, pure silence and just live my life. I don't have to confront it. I don't have to tell anybody why, explain or hear. Because actions speak louder than words, right? And if I don't see the effort, I know that's true. I truly trust my gut for that. And then I walk out in silence. Or I'm just present. But I know I'm only present on the top level and not. Not completely with the depth where I would actually give in for somebody. So that's my way of being there, being present, giving. And when I know there's a saturation for myself, I slowly take an exit.

Speaker E: Wise words. Now, um, so Tarashna was sort of. Was founded in 2021, roughly 2020 to 2022.

Speaker D: Yeah. Ending right in the perfect.

Speaker E: So in the last, say, you know, three and a half to four years or so, I think give people a flavor of the amazing journey. And I want you to big yourself up, and I want you to tell us about the award that you won as well.

Speaker D: Oh, uh, that's so difficult to do.

Speaker E: That's why I'm here to help.

Speaker D: The first award I, uh, got or was recognized for was the Guiding Star. I was nominated by production crew, uh, working, being in the company for Power Women. Uh, the two categories that I was nominated for was solo Solopreneur of the Year and, um, Events in Change. And I won for Events in Change recently. Last year, I've, um, been given the 35 under 35 with ET panache.

Speaker E: Wow. It's amazing. How did it feel when you. When your name was announced and you got the award?

Speaker D: It's good to have recognition. I mean, you love it. Because when I was recognized for the Guiding Star, um, that made me feel belonged in a company, you know, I knew I was doing my bit right. Or when production crew would nominate me for this award. And obviously it feels nice. The second time when I, uh, won for Changes in events. That was a true. I mean, I obviously felt amazing for that because that was for Darashna. That was for my own company. Again, I have a long journey to go with Tarashna. But the change that we bought in the market with storytelling or artist. Like, I truly take credit for where poetry is at the moment in terms of commercials. I m mean, there's so many people doing poetry. I mean, way before I was doing, you know, they're managing artists who have been doing storytelling. There's so many people. But the commercial change, the commercial change that we bought in the industry, the upscale. That's lovely. And, uh, this is where I say the experience did matter, because the clients that I had, all the wedding clients can trust me with Nayaab. Having a storyteller poet on a wedding is. Nobody really thought about it, but it works so beautifully because there's nobody who does not resonate with emotions.

Speaker E: Um, I'm. I. We've asked you this question sort of later in the, in the show, because I'm hoping the audience would resonate, and I certainly do, um, with all the things that you said up till date that clearly, you know, guiding women. And we've just spent, you know, all that time understanding how you were, uh, bringing women into the workplace. Of course you deserve that award, um, and all the other elements as well. So it's, it's one of those where I want people to understand that it's. The award is just the, the validation, which is nice. Not needed, but it's nice. It's not the benchmark, but your journey is what actually makes, uh, that award valid.

Speaker D: A lot of people think that, oh, nominating for this is not important. I don't know if they feel that it's cool to not nominate and just keep doing their work. I've seen people have opinions about this, but I feel that while you're an entrepreneur, you're so busy doing your work. How would anybody recognize your work if you're not standing up for yourself? Who will otherwise? So why is it not important to constantly keep telling, this is what I've worked for. This is. This is my journey. You're not saying, you're not lying. You're not making up things. So if you are not going to stand up for yourself, someone else will stand up for themselves and you. That's. And then you would say, oh, my God, I'm left behind. So recognition is not important, but it's like, it's not the benchmark for sure. But it does add value to your work and it does add value to where you are in the industry.

Speaker E: I think it's a very fair point because as an entrepreneur, uh, you have, by default, you have to be out there. You can't be a silent CEO. It's very difficult. You know, a silent founder. It's very difficult because some people also

Speaker D: find it difficult to do it. And I can just empathize with them, uh, you know, for that. But you have to step out of your comfort zone and show up.

Speaker E: I want to learn a little bit more about Tarashta now because it's such an amazing talent agency you've built over the last three, three and a half years or so. It's your baby. You're the founder. So I want to learn a little bit about Tarashna in terms of how many clients have you got? You know, do you have any specific specialisms? You know, what's, uh, give people that have got, for some reason, don't have any clue about Tarashana, give them the sort of flavor of, of who you are and, and what you've achieved to date.

Speaker D: Okay, so in the past three years or something, we've done over 500 shows, I guess, with Nayaab, um, and with certain artists, all the artists that I have. This is including our own IPs as well. Rajkumari, which Nayab, is beautifully made. And at the start of the Rashna, we already had something that we were working on where we were touring with. So that was amazing. And we're going to have the third tour for Rajkumari and Touchwood. That's going to be the biggest poetry show in the country with clients. Again, I think we've. We've hit thousands of clients now, but I have some really great. I think our clientele is really nice. More niche. There's nobody that we've not worked with. We've worked for the Ambanis, we've performed at the Jamnagar. Uh, we're there with Eos, Ypos, some really interesting entrepreneur communities that we work for. We were also at the Mahakumb. There is nowhere that we've not taken poetry. I feel like it's a similar journey that I had with my production. The first year was more of knowing every sort of artist, having working with everybody. Then we also found our niche. Right now, Tarashna is somebody you can trust with storytelling and poetry. We have great artists like Nayaab Mihdha, Nidhi Narwal, Shachi Pathak, Kena Shree. So all these people, you know, I mean, after Nayaab is It right to say after Nayab, I'm not sure all these people are the right people who are thriving in their journeys. They're great storytellers, they're great poets. And I'm um, there to back them up and take them to the next level. Um, also with a lot of independent artists. Arjun is somebody who's been with Tarashana from the start and he's a beautiful artist. So I'm also trying to get this independent space of musicians in Tarashana. I mean, this is my personal journey. Um, I have more of them with me. Akash, uh, is somebody who's just recently joined Tarashana. What Tarashana means is carving and finding and having an eye to detail. I want to live by it. I think I want to have this in Tarashana. The foundations of Tarashana by the means how naturally and organically the journeys I've had was this and I want to stick by it because I think it defines me also. And it's very important that I align with, with what I give in the industry. So I want to find talents that I know I can make. It's very important when you see, you know, when people see short term in themselves, but you're someone who are looking for long term and uh, to make that happen in real is the real talent.

Speaker E: Absolutely. And it's one of those where we were talking earlier about sort of the growth of the talent manager alongside the artists and you can see that with, with your, with Rashma, with your own career because you can see that you have grown as much as, or as well as, as the, as the other artists. And maybe the artists have millions of followers and all this kind of verifiable engagement. But you have thousands of clients. You know, you have a great team. No doubt. You're building your own journey and your own name and your own recognition as well. So it's been amazing to see you grow with the artist so that you can continue to represent some amazing people.

Speaker D: Uh, right after Spoken Fest, one of my artists told me, when people see you, she's like, you already. Like, you look like a brand. You look like a walking, talking brand. Because the way when you meet people, the way you speak for your artist, the way you represent them, and I personally feel that's something different that I sort of have, you know, about me. Like, I really, I really manage somebody with my whole heart. Whenever I'm meeting somebody, I'm like talking about my artist with my like every opportunity. It's so important to find the right Opportunity when you meet people, because, uh, these are the places you're making business. So that's something how I personally look into every person and find the right fit, the right platform.

Speaker E: If someone wants to be represented by Dal, by you, by your team, what do you look for?

Speaker D: If I may say, there is no poet or writer in the country that has not DMed Tarashna or has not DM'd me personally. But there's only a limit to how many storytellers I can have on my roster. So I definitely look for somebody with a great personality, someone who's confident. Uh, it doesn't matter if they have a lot of followers. Uh, for me, that really doesn't matter. They can be anywhere in their careers, they can be anywhere in their journey. I should feel that, you know, one, you're dedicated to your talent, you're dedicated to your art. Because I don't want to be invested in somebody who's going to give up in three months or who's going to give up in six months or a year. Uh, someone who's constant, someone who's consistent and they understand their art well.

Speaker E: So if anyone, anyone wants to DM you after this show airs, they need to show you some uniqueness and, uh, something to capture your eye.

Speaker D: Yeah, they should stand out, or at least they should be good at where, where they are in their, you know, in that particular. Sometimes people come to me and this is a very big misunderstanding that people have. They think that some management is going to step in and something's going to change overnight. No, you know, you're always going to do the work. As I mentioned before, nobody builds an artist. I will always build the environment around your art. I will help you. You, I'll build your ecosystem around it. But you have to put in the effort. You have to show up for yourself. So I can't manage you if you're not at the stage of being managed. I always say this. Somebody should look for a management when they are somewhere where they can't handle it by themselves. You should also know all the aspects of, uh, your own work and job. Right. Then only somebody can step into it, tell you what you're doing right, what you're doing wrong. I always come in and evaluate where the artist is. I will ask them what are the challenges that you've been facing? What is the problem that you have around your clients? And I actually sit around and take that study to know what exactly I have to do with this person and what are the areas of gap that I have to fill.

Speaker E: So guys, if you want to be represented by Tarajna. There you go. You've got the blueprint from the, from the lady herself. Um, we'll do a quick shout out to Nayab because she was a wonderful guest on our show back in back end of last year and uh, I'm very grateful to you for, for allowing a bit of time for, for us to, to spend with her. She's been a crucial to, to while you've both been crucial to each other's growth. So just a quick shout out to Naib for being so wonderful. Now we come to the final sort of question of the show where um, we ask every guest this and I'm hoping you've had a little bit of time to prepare and that question is um, if your 18 year old self have a, had a conversation with your 80 year old self, what would that conversation be about?

Speaker D: Interesting question. I think I will um, I think my 18 year old self would not be scared to confess that it's that she was chasing security instead of speed. You know, most of the times you see the younger generations or people are actually chasing visibility. They're chasing the speed and the growth. But though actual growth is a very slow and steady growth also like I mentioned, um, stability and security because I feel the 18 year old Parul was looking for security. I didn't have the luxury to stop and experiment a lot or I would have done a lot of things. So do not lose your passion in the uh, you know, in the journey.

Speaker E: Amazing Parol. Thank you so much for your time. I appreciate you and uh, I'm really looking forward to when this episode airs because I think you've spoken so wonderfully about talent management, about your own journey journey and people that want to get into the industry. And um, I'm hoping or I know a lot of people will take a lot of value from the conversation today. So I'm very grateful for your time and uh, I appreciate it. Thank you very much.

Speaker D: Thank you. Hey everybody.

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