Aizawl: Esther Hnamte, an 8-year-old singing sensation from Mizoram, has scripted history by becoming the first individual Mizo YouTuber to surpass the coveted 1 million (10 lakh) subscriber mark.
Hnamte, whose captivating singing has steadily drawn a massive following since she launched her YouTube channel, continues to enchant audiences.
The child prodigy became a media sensation in late 2020 when her rendition of A. R. Rahman’s song “Maa Tujhe Salaam” went viral.
She became the fastest viewer-gaining artistes on YouTube among the Mizo people.
Hnamte, who hails from Mizoram’s Lunglei, 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.
A documentary on her life, ‘A Star is Born’, won the Best Documentary Award (Silver) at the Northeast Film Festival in 2023.
Her musical inclination is largely nurtured by her mother, a retired soprano from the local church choir.
Her first song -“Maa Tujhe Salaa,m”- was recorded at home during the COVID-19 restrictions.
On August 13, 2021, Hnamte released a music video of India’s national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana,” on YouTube. The video quickly garnered over three million views within a week.
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It featured the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, headquartered in Lunglei, which supported the video production. The music was also played by the army band.
Her renditions of popular songs have resonated deeply with audiences far beyond the borders of Mizoram.
