Sanah Moidutty

What’s the story behind your YouTube channel?

I had finished my engineering and I was looking for a platform that would help me build an audience. And I noticed that YouTube was catching up well. I had no expectation as such. I just wanted maximum people to hear me out. So when my first video got a good response, I was super-happy! And it motivated me to do more videos.

You have worked with A.R. Rahman (OST of 24, Mohenjo Daro). Do you remember the first meeting?

I had sent my YouTube links to Sir on email. I was fortunate that he checked it and after almost two years, I got an opportunity to meet him and sing for him. My first meeting was almost a blur! Though I was initially nervous, Sir and his team were kind to me.

How do you look at your journey so far?

It has been amazing till now but I believe it has all just begun. There’s so much more I’d like to do and experience as a musician. I’m really fortunate I got to work with amazing music directors at an early stage. But I’m equally fortunate to be having a great team that works hard on every song and video that I do for my channel. Also my manager, Ben Thomas, has been a constant source of support. 

What made you switch from computer engineering to music?

To be honest, I have always been a musician at heart. But I didn’t quite think of taking it up as a profession in spite of the training. I don’t think about my engineering days. It happened without much planning. I got a good score in my entrance exams, so I took it up.

How important has been your classical music training in YouTube era?

It has been the most important thing for me. It just helps me appreciate and understand things better. All thanks to my gurujis — Sundari Gopalakrishnan, Madhuvanti Pethe and Sunil Borgaonkar. I learned how discipline can work wonders. 

How do you think has YouTube changed the game for singers?

YouTube has given every artiste a face. You might face rejection in the industry for reasons known or unknown to you. But with YouTube, you get to track your progress at least in terms of reach, if not always in terms of quality. A singer, like every other artiste, is a creator. Being a creator, the first thing that you would want to do is create. YouTube lets you do just that… without having to worry about getting replaced. It’s not about sitting and waiting for the right song anymore.

Two years down the line…

Of course, I see myself growing in two years time as an artiste, not just as a brand. But I’d like to take it as it comes. As for songwriting, I keep getting ideas. I keep recording these ideas on my phone as voice notes. I’ve been doing this since a long time. But I do feel there’s a little more I need to understand about the process before I release an original.

Dino James

Most of your YouTube videos have received over a million hits. What made you get on the platform? 

I think it was the freedom of expression. I could say what I wanted, the way I wanted and present it exactly the way I wanted. For a new artiste like me back then, it was a dream situation. There was no pressure, no baggage. It was just me and my music, interacting with a whole new audience. That’s how the journey to a million plus views started.

Rapping is not something that’s easily accepted in the playback industry. What clicked?

I haven’t really done any playback stuff yet though I am in touch with a couple of banners, discussing upcoming projects. Rap as an art form has been represented very differently in Bollywood so far. I am just happy that they are opening their hearts and have started to accept me the way I am. I think the honesty in my thought and music works in my favour. People connect with my music because somewhere they find themselves in it.

Tell us about your track Tujhe meri yadein with Akriti Kakar....

I have always wanted to do a duet and was looking for the right collaborator for Tujhe meri yadein. I met Akriti though One Digital Entertainment and instantly connected with her. She is a great person and a stellar vocalist. When we started working, the song turned out to be better than I had imagined and did not organically demand a rap section. I do not like shoving stuff down people’s throats! So, I avoided the rap and let the song flow where it went naturally. It changed the game for me because it gave me a chance to tell my audience that I can do this too. And gave me a reason to work harder and explore a different side of my vocal skills. 

Two years down the line…

I see myself trying to work harder and still being motivated to try newer things. Success means more responsibility and I do not wish to give up on this anytime soon. For a “non-cover” independent artiste like me, the support of the people matters the most. I do not have fans. I have a family. And I hope two years from now, I will give them more reasons to never give up on me.