Esther Hnamte

Esther Lalduhawmi Hnamte (born 9 June 2016) 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. She became the fastest viewer-gaining artists on YouTube among the Mizo people.
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.
A documentary of her life A Star is Born won the Best Documentary Award (Silver) at the Northeast Film Festival in 2023.
Esther Hnamte is the youngest of three children of Lalrinenga Hnamte, a taxi driver, and R. Lalawmpui. Her family lives in Lunglei, Mizoram. Her musical interest is mainly fostered by her mother, a retired soprano of the local church choir. 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.
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. She could sing properly when she turned two years of age, and unusually good at picking tunes and lyrics. In one instance, she learned "One Day at a Time" in the morning, and was ready for recording in the afternoon. Her first song "Maa Tujhe Salaam" was recorded at home during the COVID-19 restrictions.
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. 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. 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." Hnamte's music video was posted on 25 October on YouTube and widely appreciated throughout the country, receiving 171,000 views in three days, over 73,000 subscribers, and 68,000 likes within a week.
The video was made by Kima Chhangte of the Melody Records. The caption on her video reads:
The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga commented her on Twitter as "mesmerizing," while Prime Minister Narendra Modi concurred as "Adorable and admirable!" Rahman also reacted, saying, "When you are showered with cuteness and love."
On 13 August 2021, Hnamte released a music video Jana Gana Mana, the national anthem of India, on Youtube. It received over three million views within a week. 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. 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. The video description reads:
On 7 November 2020, the Governor of Mizoram P. S. Sreedharan Pillai gave Esther Hnamte a special award carrying a certificate and cash prize. Hnamte also made her first formal public performance at the Governor's visit programme at Lunglei on 10 March 2021.
In January 2021, India's largest diary firm Amul honoured Hnamte as its Amul Girl. The poster caricature bears the slogan: "Esthereal performance! Amul vandeful taste."
On 12 January 2021, Hnamte received the "Young Achievers Award," an annual award established by the Dalmia Cement Bharat Limited for talented young people. She is the youngest recipient.
She was contacted through her maternal uncle D. Renthlei in November 2020 from Rahman's agent and talked about possible support from Rahman.
In 2021, she was inducted to the Mizo singers' society, Mizo Zaimi Inzawmkhawm, as a life member and is the youngest member. On 5 November 2021, the MZI gave her the best "Non-native Award" for her music video, Jana Gana Mana.
Esther Hnamte has recorded and published the following songs:
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. 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.