Journey from South Africa to the Indian Music Industry

As far back as I can remember, music has been a constant in my life. At the age of three, my fascination with instruments began. I would pick up any instrument I could find, eager to figure out how to play it. This curiosity soon evolved into a deep love for Eastern percussion instruments, particularly the tabla, which I’ve been playing and performing for over two decades now.

My musical journey took a significant turn when I was 16. TM Sounderajan, the legendary Tamil playback singer, honored me with an accolade after I backed him for four shows during his last tour to South Africa. His words still resonate with me: "Make music your profession. Give me six months, and I’ll prepare you for film pop music." Inspired by his encouragement, I took vocal training more seriously, even though I had been singing since I was 10. By 18, I was performing vocals professionally, and for the past 15 years, I’ve been dedicated to perfecting my craft.

Growing up on a farm without access to traditional Indian instruments, I had to get creative. I practiced tabla on whatever I could find—tables, buckets, even car dashboards. When I finally got my first Naal and Tabla, I was ready. My hands were strong, and I would practice for hours each day. Vocal training followed a similar path. I would practice daily without fail, dedicating at least two hours each day to my voice. Music was, and still is, the most significant part of my life, so much so that I would often feel reluctant to take holidays or weekend breaks because it felt like I was neglecting my passion.

Over the years, my singing took center stage. I challenged myself with more complex songs, creating captivating live performances for my audiences. The positive feedback I received kept me going. Along the way, I had the honor of learning grand piano from Jean White, an English pianist, who helped foster my passion for notations and chord work. I was also fortunate to receive guidance in tabla from P.V. Murali and other international artists whenever the opportunity arose. Musicians often share knowledge with each other, and I found that this happens more frequently on an international level than locally.

Some of my most cherished moments come from encounters with legendary artists who encouraged and inspired me to pursue my passion further. One of my greatest sources of inspiration has been my formal vocal training under Mr. Sudhanshu Shome. He refined my skills in Hindustani classical and pop film music, and his influence made all the years of practice worthwhile. In Indian music, the guru-student relationship is sacred, and my teacher is not just a mentor but family to me. Music, after all, is more than a profession; it is a way of life.

Of course, my journey wasn’t without its struggles. Growing up in South Africa, I faced challenges such as a lack of access to music resources, financial difficulties, and the struggle to find the right teacher at a young age. It’s often said that the student finds the perfect teacher, not the other way around. Born outside India, it was difficult to nurture my God-given talent and passion for music. This is why I knew I had to go to India, the heart of the Indian music industry, to formalize my education and develop my skills. South Africa, like other countries with Indian populations, follows the mainstream music industry in India, so learning Indian music from the source was crucial for me.

Over the years, I faced envy and jealousy—common struggles for any upcoming artist—but I persevered. Another challenge was financial sustainability as an artist in South Africa. Many artists there turn to performing cover songs from North and South Indian film industries because they cannot afford to sustain original music careers. It’s rare to find an Indian pop artist in South Africa who can create music on an international level, and even rarer to find those who register themselves as professional recording artists producing original songs.

Looking ahead, my focus is on further exploring and participating in the Indian world music industry. I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, including an exciting project with Virgin Music. While my debut single "DIL DENA" has helped me reach an international audience, I’m letting my journey unfold naturally, trusting in the divine plan that has guided me so far.

Reflecting on my achievements, one of the highlights of my career was backing the legendary TM Sounderajan on his final tour to South Africa and receiving an accolade from him at just 16. Performing at the Alka Yagnik & SaReGaMaPa Lil' Champs concert was another milestone. However, my biggest accomplishment is the realization that I am on the right path. After all the challenges and difficulties, I can proudly say that my efforts have been original, and I am one of the very few—if not the only—Indian pop artists from South Africa representing South African pop vocals in the world of Indian music.