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Esther Hnamte

Esther Lalduhawmi Hnamte (born 9 June 2016)[1] is a child singer and prodigy from Mizoram, India. She became a media sensation in late 2020 when her rendition of A. R. Rahman's song "Maa Tujhe Salaam" went viral.[2] She became the fastest viewer-gaining artists on YouTube among the Mizo people.

Esther Hnamte
Birth nameEsther Lalduhawmi Hnamte
Born (2016-06-09) 9 June 2016 (age 8)
Lunglei, Mizoram, India
GenresFolk music
Years active2020–present
LabelsMelody Records

Hnamte had received recognitions such as special appreciation award from the Governor of Mizoram, and the Young Achievers Award from Dalmia Cement Bharat Limited in 2021. She is the youngest member of Mizo Zaimi Inzawmkhawm, which presented her its 2021 "Non-native Award" for Jana Gana Mana, a music video made with the Indian Army.[3]

A documentary of her life A Star is Born won the Best Documentary Award (Silver) at the Northeast Film Festival in 2023.[4][5]

Life

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Esther Hnamte is the youngest of three children of Lalrinenga Hnamte, a taxi driver, and R. Lalawmpui.[6] Her family lives in Lunglei, Mizoram.[2] Her musical interest is mainly fostered by her mother, a retired soprano of the local church choir.[1] Before her birth, her mother almost gave her up for abortion, upon doctor's advice, due to pregnancy complications. But her mother decided to go through the consequences. She was born with a high-pitched voice to which people at the hospital commented that she was going to be a good singer.[6]

As a native of Mizo, Hnamte does not speak other language. She had to memorise Hindi and English songs by repeated singing with her friends.[7] She could sing properly when she turned two years of age, and unusually good at picking tunes and lyrics.[7] In one instance, she learned "One Day at a Time" in the morning, and was ready for recording in the afternoon.[6] Her first song "Maa Tujhe Salaam" was recorded at home during the COVID-19 restrictions.[6]

Music videos

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Maa Tujhe Salaam

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Considered as patriotic song in India, Maa Tujhe Salaam is A. R. Rahman's rendition of Vande Mataram (meaning "I bow to thee, Mother") and is a Guinness World Records holder for a song performed in the most languages.[8] Vande Mataram is originally a Sanskrit poem by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and the first two verses of which were as the National Song of India in October 1937 by the Congress Working Committee.[9] The Hindustan Times reported, "There are many who have sung renditions of AR Rahman's Maa Tujhe Salaam. However, there are only a few versions [referring to Hnamte's version] that would give you goosebumps like the original one."[10] Hnamte's music video was posted on 25 October on YouTube and widely appreciated throughout the country,[11] receiving 171,000 views in three days,[6] over 73,000 subscribers,[12] and 68,000 likes within a week.[13]

The video was made by Kima Chhangte of the Melody Records.[14] The caption on her video reads:

Dear brothers and sisters, be proud that you are an Indian. It is a land of love, care and affection. So lovely the variety in languages, cultures, lifestyle. Let us stand together to be good sons and daughters for our motherland in spite of the diversities.[2]

The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga commented her on Twitter as "mesmerizing,"[12] while Prime Minister Narendra Modi concurred as "Adorable and admirable!"[15][16] Rahman also reacted, saying, "When you are showered with cuteness and love."[17]

National anthem

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On 13 August 2021, Hnamte released a music video Jana Gana Mana, the national anthem of India, on Youtube.[18] It received over three million views within a week.[19] It featured the Indian Army, 3 Assam Rifles, headquartered in Lunglei, which supported the video production. The music was also played by the army band.[20] According to the former Indian Air Marshal Anil Chopra, the Indian Army had appreciated her patriotic singing and tracked her to her home to make this music video.[3] The video description reads:

This music video 'National Anthem' has been made to celebrate India's 75th Independence Day. It is a tribute to all the fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives at the altar of freedom. We hope this video makes us realise the value of freedom we enjoy.[20]

Awards and honours

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On 7 November 2020, the Governor of Mizoram P. S. Sreedharan Pillai gave Esther Hnamte a special award carrying a certificate and cash prize.[21] Hnamte also made her first formal public performance at the Governor's visit programme at Lunglei on 10 March 2021.[22]

In January 2021, India's largest diary firm[23] Amul honoured Hnamte as its Amul Girl. The poster caricature bears the slogan: "Esthereal performance! Amul vandeful taste."[24]

On 12 January 2021, Hnamte received the "Young Achievers Award," an annual award established by the Dalmia Cement Bharat Limited for talented young people.[25][26] She is the youngest recipient.[27]

She was contacted through her maternal uncle D. Renthlei in November 2020 from Rahman's agent and talked about possible support from Rahman.[17]

In 2021, she was inducted to the Mizo singers' society, Mizo Zaimi Inzawmkhawm, as a life member and is the youngest member.[25] On 5 November 2021, the MZI gave her the best "Non-native Award" for her music video, Jana Gana Mana.[28]

Discography

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Esther Hnamte has recorded and published the following songs:

  1. Maa Tujhe Salaam (2020)[1]
  2. Dilna Hlawhtlin Tirtu Lalpa (2020)[1]
  3. One Day at a Time (2020)[1]
  4. The Greatest Gift of All (2020, with R. Lalramchhana)[25]
  5. Jana Gana Mana (2021)[18]

Documentary

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The biography of Hnamte was released as a film A Star is Born in 2023. The 28-minute documentary was made by Napoleon RZ Thanga, and it received the Best Documentary Award (Silver) at the Northeast Film Festival.[4][5] The festival was organised at Mumbai between 24 and 26 March 2023 by the Sikkim Film Board and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.[4][29]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Sailo, Jimmy Lalhriatpuia (13 November 2020). "Daughter of taxi-driver from Mizoram becomes face of India's media during COVID-19". The Northeast Today. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Ghosh, Raya (1 January 2020). "PM Modi is proud of 4-yr-old Mizoram girl for her rendition of Vande Mataram. Viral post". India Today. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b Khanna, Cheena (30 August 2021). "5-Year-Old Mizoram Girl Singing National Anthem Is Winning The Internet". The Live Mirror. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "North East Film Fest 2023 Awards: 'Bohag Bohag Mon' wins best short film for Environment and Culture". India Today NE. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Esther Hnamte chanchinin NE Film Festival-ah Award a dawng" [Esther Hnamte's documentary received award at the NE Film Festival]. Vanglaini (in Mizo). 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e Bajaj, Simran (30 October 2020). "WATCH: Meet Esther, Mizoram's 4-year-old singing sensation who has caught AR Rahman's eye". EastMojo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  7. ^ a b "4-year-old Mizoram girl's rendition of 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' earns Modi, AR Rahman salute". The Times of India. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  8. ^ V., Swathi (20 August 2010). "NRI songster storms into Guinness". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  9. ^ Sabyasachi Bhattacharya (2003). Bande Mataram, the Biography of a Song. Penguin Books. pp. 17–24. ISBN 978-0-14-303055-3.
  10. ^ Sengupta, Trisha (29 October 2020). "4-year-old girl's soulful rendition of AR Rahman's Maa Tujhe Salaam will win your heart. Watch". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  11. ^ "Watch: 4-year-old Mizoram girl's soulful rendition of AR Rahman's 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' breaks the internet". Free Press Journal. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  12. ^ a b Achom, Debanish (31 October 2020). ""Adorable, Admirable": PM On 4-Year-Old Singing "Vande Mataram"". NDTV. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  13. ^ Shahi, Sukriti (1 November 2020). "Mizoram's Four-Year-Old Wins Internet with her 'Maa Tujhe Salam' Cover". Femina. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Interview: Mizoram talent Esther Hnamte "very happy" with massive reponse [sic] to 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' cover". INSIDE NE. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  15. ^ "Adorable and admirable: PM Modi lauds 4-year-old girl's rendition of 'Vande Mataram'". Deccan Herald. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  16. ^ "4-year-old girl's rendition of 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' has a new fan: PM Modi". The Indian Express. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  17. ^ a b Jaiswal, Umanand (3 November 2020). "Child singer wins Netizens' admiration". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  18. ^ a b Dey, Stela (29 August 2021). "Watch: 5-Year-Old Sings National Anthem In Army Uniform With Soldiers". NDTV. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  19. ^ "This Soulful Rendition of 'Jana Gana Mana' by Esther Hnamte In Indian Army Uniform Crosses 3 Million Views on YouTube (Watch Video)". LatestLY. 29 August 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  20. ^ a b Yadav, Prerna (30 August 2021). "Video: 5-year-old Mizoram girl singing National Anthem in army uniform with soldiers sure to melt your heart". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  21. ^ "Mizoram Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai fetes two citizens for winning hearts". The Sentinel. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  22. ^ Lalremruati, C. (10 March 2021). "Mizoram Governor visits Lunglei District". dipr.mizoram.gov.in. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  23. ^ "India's Amul is now world's 8th largest milk processor". Business Today. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  24. ^ "'Esthereal': Here's how Amul honoured Mizoram's 4-year-old internet sensation". EastMojo. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  25. ^ a b c "Naupang zaithiam Esther Hnamte kut-ah Dalmia Young Archiever [sic] Award" [Dalmia Young Achiever Award given to child singer Esther Hnamte]. Explore Mizoram (in Mizo). 15 January 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  26. ^ "Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd. recognises young talents from North East at their 8th brand launch anniversary in the region". 14 January 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  27. ^ "Dalmia presents Young Achievers Award to Morningstar". Meghalaya Times. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  28. ^ "MZI Rimawi Award 2021 hlanna hun hmang; Thangkhat lian chhunga zaithiam ber - Vanlalsailova!". 5 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  29. ^ "Mahima Chaudhry, Padmini Kolhapure, Gulshan Grover: Celebs grace the North Eastern Film Festival (NEFF 2023)". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
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