Today we’d like to introduce you to Riyan Khandker.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always enjoyed performing and singing throughout my life. But as I got older, I started lacking self-confidence, and I wasn’t able to break out of that mindset until I reached my early 20s. That was when I really found my stride and realized that many of the decisions I had made were based on not wanting to disappoint my family or being afraid of being judged.
I decided to stop taking other people’s opinions personally and instead use them as feedback to help me improve. As for taking the safe route and getting a degree, I don’t regret it one bit. It allowed me to understand the difference between my interests and my passions. Now, I dedicate my free time to exploring and pursuing the passionate side of myself.
I’ve decided that I’m not going to waste any more time moving forward.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My biggest struggle has been staying consistent in my craft. Over the past year, I have been fairly consistently posted singing content, amassed over 1,000 followers across all platforms, and released music as well. The struggle has been balancing my work with my music while also maintaining my physical and social life. However, that is a challenge I continue to tackle head-on every day.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
During the day, I work as a Manufacturing Engineer building hyperscale server racks for data centers. Over the last few months, I have primarily focused on equipment procurement, facility design, and troubleshooting systems to identify and resolve issues.
One trait I am very grateful for is being a jack of all trades. I am an engineer who writes songs, sings, and is musically inclined, while also staying active through sports and working out. I feel that this allows me to connect with people from many different backgrounds because I have knowledge and experience across a wide variety of interests and topics.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I would not have the luxury of pursuing everything I do with ease without the support of my parents. They have been my rock and a huge reason why I strive to achieve everything I set out to do in every facet of my life. That support also extends to my Bengali community. The motivation, encouragement, and positivity I receive from them allow me to keep pushing forward and remind me just how much love and support I have around me.
As far as my music career, some of my biggest support comes from my vocal teachers, who have helped me grow as a singer and musician, as well as my mixing engineer/friend, Santiago Torres. He dedicates countless hours out of his busy schedule to making sure my music is at the standard to share with the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @rimakh_x
- Other: Tiktok: @rimakh_x
