BRITISH singing talent Tigerbee has just released her most personal single Rani.
The emotion-filled track inspired by her late mother Rani is one she hopes will resonate with all ages.
Eastern Eye got the singer/ songwriter to tell her mother’s inspiring story, from battling hardships to raising a family, and how her passing led to the beautiful new song.
“No words will ever truly capture the essence of my mother,” she said. “Her extraordinary life, simple, full of quiet resilience and untold stories shaped not just her world, but mine and many others. My song Rani honours her, but hardly scratches the surface of the legacy she left behind. I hope it still conveys the depth of her influence, strength and love.”
Tigerbee's mother RaniChildhood dreams and sacrifices: “My mother was born in a small village in Punjab, India, a place where opportunities were scarce, but dreams were abundant. Growing up in a large family, she understood what it meant to sacrifice for others from an early age. That childhood had hardships, but also joy despite the poverty, as they played in the fields, while knowing that hard work awaited them at home.
“Her father, a station master, and homemaker mother worked tirelessly to provide for their children, but it was never quite enough. There was always a sense of scarcity. My mother was a bright student who was eager to leave her mark on the world, but education would be an unaffordable luxury. At the age of 16, she left school to help her family. That moment of selflessness would define the choices she would make for the rest of her years.”
A new beginning: “During her late teens, my mother met a man with dreams of his own. After a whirlwind courtship, they married and emigrated to the UK in search of a better future. The exciting move was filled with uncertainty. My mother didn’t speak the language and knew little about the culture she was stepping into. She left behind her family, friends, and way of life to face this new chapter with quiet determination.
“She learned the basics of the English language, found work, and began to build a home. It wasn’t easy. There were moments of deep loneliness and questioning whether she made the right choice. She faced prejudice and isolation but was determined to succeed. That remarkable resilience led to working long hours and taking care of her children.”
Motherhood: “Raising children in a foreign land, without a support system, was no small feat. But she never let us see her struggle. To us, she was a pillar of strength who could do anything and everything. She was our teacher, nurse, guide and protector. She taught us the importance of perseverance and never giving up.
“When money was tight, she found ways to stretch every penny. When life threw challenges her way, Rani faced them head-on, with a quiet grace that still astounds me. There were moments where my mother was overwhelmed by emotion, but the next day she was ready to face whatever came her way.”
A life of grace: “Despite all the hardships, my mother’s life was also filled with joy. She loved music, sewing, dancing, and cooking elaborate meals that brought our family together. Her laughter was infectious.
“But the lows were equally powerful. My mother endured the loss of her own parents while being far away from them, unable to say goodbye in person. But she carried that heartbreak quietly. She also faced health issues later in life, but that never took away her spirit. Even as her body grew frail, her mind remained sharp, her love for her family undiminished.
Her passing: “When my mother passed away, it felt like the world stopped turning. I remember the phone call vividly, telling me something was wrong. None of us were ready. It was totally unexpected and felt too sudden. The grief was overwhelming for everyone whose lives she had touched. Her passing left a void that could never be filled. My siblings and I, now adults, suddenly felt like lost children. The house felt empty without her presence, voice, and warmth.
Tigerbee's new single“And yet, in that darkness, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for everything my mother had given us, including love, time and strength. She shaped us into the people we are today. Her legacy lived on in every act of kindness, every moment of resilience we carried forward.”
Tribute to my Rani: “The song I wrote in her memory is about the day she passed away. It’s a reminder to me, and anyone who listens, that no matter how hard life gets, there is always a way forward. Life always goes on. Love always remains.
“My mother passed away on Valentine’s Day and left a mark on my heart that will always remain. In writing a song about that day, I tried to capture the deep irony and complexity of losing someone so close on a day that’s supposed to be filled with joy, love and affection.
“I remember feeling like I was living in two different worlds – one where love was all around, and another where I was mourning the deepest love I’d ever known: my mother’s. Writing the song was a way to reconcile those conflicting emotions. It became a tribute not just to the love my mother gave me, but also to the cruel twist of fate that took her away on a day meant to celebrate love.
“The song is about the depth of her love which shaped my life, and the void her absence left. It was as if the universe chose that day to remind me that her love would always be with me, even in death. The song reflects the pain of losing her, but also the gratitude for the love that remains.”
