Nisha Bissambhar — Another Chutney Soca Queen
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Family Roots
- First Steps on Stage
- Building the Band Karma
- Radio, TV and Fashion Business
- Legacy and Family Ties
Early Life and Family Roots
In Trinidad and Tobago, when people say “Nisha B,” everyone knows the voice. Nisha Bissambhar is a singer, songwriter, band leader, radio host, TV host, and fashion business owner. She is one of the strongest and longest-working women in Caribbean chutney soca music.
She grew up in a family that loved Indian culture and music. Music was part of everyday life. Her late father sang on stage, and her brothers played instruments. In 2009, the State of New York recognized the Bissambhar family as ambassadors of chutney music. This strong foundation helped her enter cultural singing contests as a teenager.
First Steps on Stage
As a young girl, Nisha joined popular contests like Mastana Bahar and Children of Mastana. She says these contests were her real school for music.
Old videos from 1995 show a young Nisha performing at Mastana Bahar. In one clip she wears a white scarf and a gold-floral top; in another she wears braided hair and silver jewelry. Fans who watched the classic videos still remember how much they enjoyed her early talent. A few years later, her music career took off into full-fledged crossover success.
Building the Band Karma
Nisha joined forces with her older brother Ravi B and brother Anil Bissambhar to form the renowned band Karma. As the main female lead singer of Karma, Nisha helped establish a powerful space for female vocalists in the male-dominated chutney soca genre, writing songs and working as a driving creative force behind the group.
The band took chutney soca music to New York, Miami, Canada, Guyana, Europe, and many other global destinations. Nisha was often the prominent female artist sharing the stage alongside major male performers. Karma has earned dozens of awards, with Nisha herself being honored with multiple Best Female Chutney Soca Artist titles over her career.
She also engages tens of thousands of followers on TikTok (@nishabkarma1), where she shares live concert clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and fashion videos.
Radio, TV and Fashion Business
Nisha did not stop at singing. She expanded into broadcasting, hosting radio shows such as “The Night Life” alongside her brother on Radio 90.5 FM (and 103.1 FM), as well as hosting segments like “Chutney Island” on Synergy TV. This work keeps her voice well-known even after Carnival season ends.
Fashion is her second love. In 2017, she launched her own boutique in Trinidad called The DollHouse by Nisha B on Southern Main Road, Cunupia. When the shop was broken into that same year, she publicly addressed the incident, demonstrating resilience and thanking the local police and supportive community.
She regularly shares stylish looks on her social media pages, using major cultural events and awards nights to highlight both her music and her distinctive fashion style.
Legacy and Family Ties
Nisha’s family has deep roots in Caribbean chutney music. On her father’s side, she is related to the legendary Sam Boodram, known as the "Lion of Cumuto" and widely regarded as the grandfather of chutney music. Following his passing in 2020, the family paid tribute to his massive influence on their lives and musical heritage.
As the younger sister of Ravi B and co-frontliner of Karma TT, Nisha masterfully blends soca, dancehall, reggae, and traditional Indian music influences. She has performed for international dignitaries and shared stages with Bollywood stars such as Rajesh Khanna, Zeenat Aman, Alka Yagnik, and Sonu Nigam.
From her initial steps on stage in 1995 to high-energy concerts today, Nisha’s journey is defined by dedication, hard work, and staying true to her roots. When asked to reflect on her long-standing career in music, her perspective remains simple: “I’m glad I did.”
