A 28-year-old professional stepped away from a stable consulting career to focus on writing and spoken-word performance, relocating from Singapore to Mumbai in pursuit of a creative path she had long considered but deferred.
Namrata Yadav, who previously worked at KPMG, said her decision followed years of academic and professional exploration that did not provide a sense of personal fulfilment.
“I decided I wanted a life I enjoyed rather than one spent living for the weekends,” she told Business Insider.
Academic and early professional background
Yadav’s career trajectory included multiple transitions before her move into consulting. After completing a law degree in India, she pursued a master’s programme in international relations at the National University of Singapore between 2019 and 2021.
Following her postgraduate studies, she worked briefly as a research analyst at the same institution. In 2022, she joined KPMG to gain experience in a corporate environment.
She described the role as stable, with an annual income of approximately 57,000 Singapore dollars (around Rs 41,82,331). Despite the high cost of living in Singapore — where her monthly expenses reached about SG$3,200 — she said finances were manageable.
However, she noted that the nature of the work did not align with her interests. “I realised I was too right-brained for the job,” she said, adding that extended working hours left limited space for creative pursuits.
Long-standing interest in writing
Yadav said her inclination towards writing predated her corporate career. She began writing regularly while living in Singapore, primarily in Hindi, focusing on themes such as relationships, family dynamics, friendships and everyday experiences.
She indicated that the intensity of her work schedule made it difficult to commit time to creative output, prompting her to reassess her priorities.
Turning point and relocation
A key moment came in December 2024, when she was selected to perform at a literature festival in Lucknow. Reflecting on that experience, she said: “I didn’t want to envy these people who get to have an hour onstage and entertain us. I wanted to be them.”
After returning to Singapore, she decided to leave her role and relocate. By September 2025, she had moved to Mumbai with an initial plan to find part-time or less demanding work to support her writing.
However, after attending job interviews, she concluded that returning to a conventional desk-based role would not align with her goals.
Financial adjustments and living conditions
Yadav currently lives in a shared apartment in Andheri West, an area known for housing emerging artists and performers. Her rent stands at approximately Rs 34,000 per month, significantly lower than her housing costs in Singapore.
Despite reduced expenses, she acknowledged the challenges of leaving a steady income. “I’m banking on my savings from my corporate job in Singapore to keep me going for the next few months,” she said.
Preparing for debut performance
In January, Yadav set a target to stage her first solo spoken-word performance on March 28. She has allocated a three-month period exclusively to writing and preparation.
Her daily routine involves extended writing sessions, beginning each morning after coffee and continuing into the afternoon. She has also been documenting her creative process on social media to build visibility ahead of the performance.
She described the transition as requiring a shift in mindset. “The biggest lesson learned since going into poetry full time has been unlearning the corporate mindset of expecting a tangible outcome at the end of the day,” she said.
She added that the creative process is inconsistent by nature: “Some days, I love what I’ve written. But on other days, it’s not worth sharing with people.”
Family response and future outlook
Yadav said her parents, who come from rural backgrounds, were initially uncertain about her decision to pursue a creative career. Over time, however, their stance has changed.
“They trust my choices and my hustle,” she said, adding that they are now supportive of her efforts and encouraged by her commitment.
Looking ahead, she acknowledged that she may eventually need to return to paid employment to sustain her work as an artist. For the present, however, she remains focused on exploring her potential as a writer and performer.
“I want to test if I have what it takes to become a storyteller and to become a memorable one at that,” she said.