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{{Short description|Indian singer and child prodigy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Esther Hnamte
| image =
| birth_name = Esther Lalduhawmi Hnamte
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2016|6|9}}
| birth_place = [[Lunglei]], [[Mizoram]], India
| genre = [[Folk music]]
| associated_acts =
| label = Melody Records
| years_active = 2020–present
}}
'''Esther Lalduhawmi Hnamte''' (born 9 June 2016)<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=Sailo|first=Jimmy Lalhriatpuia|date=2020-11-13|title=Daughter of taxi-driver from Mizoram becomes face of India’s media during COVID-19|url=https://thenortheasttoday.com/states/mizoram/daughter-of-taxi-driver-from-mizoram-becomes-face-of-indias/cid2515432.htm|access-date=2021-06-02|website=The Northeast Today|language=en-IN}}</ref> is a child singer and [[Child prodigy|prodigy]] from [[Mizoram]], India. She became a [[media sensation]] in late 2020 when her rendition of [[A. R. Rahman]]'s song "[[Vande Mataram (album)|Maa Tujhe Salaam]]" went viral.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Ghosh|first=Raya|last2=|first2=|last3=|first3=|date=1 January 2020|title=PM Modi is proud of 4-yr-old Mizoram girl for her rendition of Vande Mataram. Viral post|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/pm-modi-is-proud-of-4-yr-old-mizoram-girl-for-her-rendition-of-vande-mataram-viral-post-1736978-2020-11-01|access-date=2021-06-02|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> 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 Group|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]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|last=Khanna|first=Cheena|date=2021-08-30|title=5-Year-Old Mizoram Girl Singing National Anthem Is Winning The Internet|url=https://www.thelivemirror.com/5-year-old-mizoram-girl-singing-national-anthem/|access-date=2021-11-07|website=The Live Mirror|language=en-US}}</ref>

A documentary of her life ''A Star is Born'' won the Best Documentary Award (Silver) at the [[Northeast Film Festival]] in 2023.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=2023-03-26 |title=North East Film Fest 2023 Awards: 'Bohag Bohag Mon' wins best short film for Environment and Culture |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/north-east-film-fest-2023-awards-bohag-bohag-mon-wins-best-short-film-for-environment-and-culture-532768-2023-03-26 |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=India Today NE |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=2023-03-29 |title=Esther Hnamte chanchinin NE Film Festival-ah Award a dawng |trans-title=Esther Hnamte's documentary received award at the NE Film Festival |url=https://vanglaini.org/thalai/91528 |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Vanglaini |language=Mizo}}</ref>

== Life ==
Esther Hnamte is the youngest of three children of Lalrinenga Hnamte, a taxi driver, and R. Lalawmpui.<ref name=":1" /> Her family lives in Lunglei, Mizoram.<ref name=":0" /> Her musical interest is mainly fostered by her mother, a retired soprano of the local church choir.<ref name=":7" /> 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.<ref name=":1" />

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.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=|first=|last2=|last3=|first3=|date=2020-11-02|title=4-year-old Mizoram girl’s rendition of ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’ earns Modi, AR Rahman salute|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/4-year-old-mizoram-girls-rendition-of-maa-tujhe-salaam-earns-modi-rahman-salute/articleshow/78992165.cms|access-date=2021-06-02|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> She could sing properly when she turned two years of age, and unusually good at picking tunes and lyrics.<ref name=":4" /> In one instance, she learned "[[One Day at a Time (song)|One Day at a Time]]" in the morning, and was ready for recording in the afternoon.<ref name=":1" /> Her first song "[[Vande Mataram (album)|Maa Tujhe Salaam]]" was recorded at home during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19]] restrictions.<ref name=":1" />

== Music videos ==

=== Maa Tujhe Salaam ===
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 Record|Guinness World Records]] holder for a song performed in the most languages.<ref>{{Cite news|last=V.|first=Swathi|date=2010-08-20|title=NRI songster storms into Guinness|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/NRI-songster-storms-into-Guinness/article16138759.ece|access-date=2021-06-02|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Vande Mataram is originally a Sanskrit poem by [[Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay|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]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Sabyasachi Bhattacharya|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cJqfAAAAMAAJ|title=Bande Mataram, the Biography of a Song|publisher=Penguin Books|year=2003|isbn=978-0-14-303055-3|pages=17–24}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sengupta|first=Trisha|date=2020-10-29|title=4-year-old girl’s soulful rendition of AR Rahman’s Maa Tujhe Salaam will win your heart. Watch|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/it-s-viral/4-year-old-girl-s-soulful-rendition-of-ar-rahman-s-maa-tujhe-salaam-will-win-your-heart-watch/story-9mb8VehlclTVwFR8IiV2kK.html|access-date=2021-06-03|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> Hnamte's music video was posted on 25 October on [[YouTube]] and widely appreciated throughout the country,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-30|title=Watch: 4-year-old Mizoram girl's soulful rendition of AR Rahman's 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' breaks the internet|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/viral/watch-4-year-old-mizoram-girls-soulful-rendition-of-ar-rahmans-maa-tujhe-salaam-breaks-the-internet|access-date=2021-06-02|website=Free Press Journal|language=en}}</ref> receiving 171,000 views in three days,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Bajaj|first=Simran|date=2020-10-30|title=WATCH: Meet Esther, Mizoram's 4-year-old singing sensation who has caught AR Rahman's eye|url=https://www.eastmojo.com/news/2020/10/30/watch-meet-esther-mizorams-4-year-old-singing-sensation-who-has-caught-ar-rahmans-eye/|access-date=2021-06-02|website=EastMojo|language=en-US}}</ref> over 73,000 subscribers,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Achom|first=Debanish|date=2020-10-31|title="Adorable, Admirable": PM On 4-Year-Old Singing "Vande Mataram"|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/adorable-admirable-says-pm-narendra-modi-on-4-year-old-esther-hnamte-singing-vande-mataram-2318758|access-date=2021-06-02|website=NDTV}}</ref> and 68,000 likes within a week.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shahi|first=Sukriti|date=2020-11-01|title=Mizoram’s Four-Year-Old Wins Internet with her ‘Maa Tujhe Salam’ Cover|url=https://www.femina.in/trending/in-the-news/mizorams-four-year-old-wins-internet-with-her-maa-tujhe-salam-cover-176232.html|access-date=2021-06-02|website=Femina|language=en}}</ref>

The video was made by Kima Chhangte of the Melody Records.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-01|title=Interview: Mizoram talent Esther Hnamte “very happy” with massive {{as written|rep|onse [sic]}} to ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’ cover|url=https://www.insidene.com/interview-mizoram-talent-esther-hnamte-very-happy-with-massive-reponse-to-maa-tujhe-salaam-cover/amp/|access-date=2021-06-03|website=INSIDE NE|language=en-US}}</ref> The caption on her video reads:<blockquote>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.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>The [[Chief Minister of Mizoram]], [[Zoramthanga]] commented her on [[Twitter]] as "mesmerizing,"<ref name=":2" /> while [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] concurred as "Adorable and admirable!"<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-01|title=Adorable and admirable: PM Modi lauds 4-year-old girl's rendition of 'Vande Mataram'|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/adorable-and-admirable-pm-modi-lauds-4-year-old-girls-rendition-of-vande-mataram-909763.html|access-date=2021-06-02|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-01|title=4-year-old girl’s rendition of ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’ has a new fan: PM Modi|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/4-year-old-mizo-girls-maa-tujhe-salaam-cover-has-left-netizens-mesmerised-6908278/|access-date=2021-06-02|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> Rahman also reacted, saying, "When you are showered with cuteness and love."<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Jaiswal|first=Umanand|date=2020-11-03|title=Child singer wins Netizens’ admiration|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/video-of-mizo-girls-maa-tujhe-salaam-attracts-over-9-lakh-views/cid/1796351|access-date=2021-06-03|website=The Telegraph}}</ref>

=== National anthem ===
On 13 August 2021, Hnamte released a music video [[Jana Gana Mana]], the national anthem of India, on Youtube.<ref name=":8" /> It received over three million views within a week.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-29|title=This Soulful Rendition of 'Jana Gana Mana' by Esther Hnamte In Indian Army Uniform Crosses 3 Million Views on YouTube (Watch Video)|url=https://www.latestly.com/social-viral/this-soulful-rendition-of-jana-gana-mana-by-esther-hnamte-crosses-3-million-views-on-youtube-watch-video-2792143.html|access-date=2021-11-07|website=LatestLY|language=en}}</ref> It featured the Indian Army, [[Assam Rifles|3 Assam Rifles]], headquartered in Lunglei, which supported the video production. The music was also played by the army band.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|last=Yadav|first=Prerna|date=2021-08-30|title=Video: 5-year-old Mizoram girl singing National Anthem in army uniform with soldiers sure to melt your heart|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/trending/offbeat-video-5-year-old-mizoram-girl-singing-national-anthem-in-army-uniform-with-soldiers-sure-to-melt-your-heart-730160|access-date=2021-11-07|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en}}</ref> According to the former [[Air marshal (India)|Indian Air Marshal]] [[Anil Chopra]], the Indian Army had appreciated her patriotic singing and tracked her to her home to make this music video.<ref name=":10" /> The video description reads:<blockquote>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.<ref name=":9" /></blockquote>

== Awards and honours ==
On 7 November 2020, the [[Governor of Mizoram]] P. S. Sreedharan Pillai gave Esther Hnamte a special award carrying a certificate and cash prize.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-11-09|title=Mizoram Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai fetes two citizens for winning hearts|url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/mizoram-news/mizoram-governor-ps-sreedharan-pillai-fetes-two-citizens-for-winning-hearts-510703|access-date=2021-06-03|website=The Sentinel|language=en}}</ref> Hnamte also made her first formal public performance at the Governor's visit programme at Lunglei on 10 March 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lalremruati|first=C.|date=2021-03-10|title=Mizoram Governor visits Lunglei District|url=https://dipr.mizoram.gov.in/post/mizoram-governor-visits-lunglei-district|access-date=2021-06-03|website=dipr.mizoram.gov.in|language=en}}</ref>

In January 2021, India's largest diary firm<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-02|title=India's Amul is now world's 8th largest milk processor|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/amul-worlds-8th-largest-milk-processor-now-moves-10-notches-in-ifcns-latest-ranking/story/423645.html|access-date=2021-06-03|website=Business Today}}</ref> [[Amul]] honoured Hnamte as its [[Amul girl|Amul Girl]]. The poster caricature bears the slogan: "Esthereal performance! Amul vandeful taste."<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|date=2021-01-29|title='Esthereal': Here's how Amul honoured Mizoram's 4-year-old internet sensation|url=https://www.eastmojo.com/news/2021/01/29/esthereal-heres-how-amul-honoured-mizorams-4-year-old-internet-sensation/|access-date=2021-06-03|website=EastMojo|language=en-US}}</ref>

On 12 January 2021, Hnamte received the "Young Achievers Award," an annual award established by the [[Dalmia Group|Dalmia Cement Bharat Limited]] for talented young people.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=2021-01-15|title=Naupang zaithiam Esther Hnamte kut-ah Dalmia Young {{as written|Arc|hiever [sic]}} Award|trans-title=Dalmia Young Achiever Award given to child singer Esther Hnamte|url=https://www.exploremizoram.com/2021/01/naupang-zaithiam-esther-hnamte-kut-ah.html|access-date=2021-06-03|website=Explore Mizoram|language=Mizo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-14|title=Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd. recognises young talents from North East at their 8th brand launch anniversary in the region|url=https://www.dalmiacement.com/pressrelease/dalmia-cement-bharat-ltd-recognises-young-talents-from-north-east-at-their-8th-brand-launch-anniversary-in-the-region/|access-date=2021-06-02|language=en-US}}</ref> She is the youngest recipient.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2021-01-15|title=Dalmia presents Young Achievers Award to Morningstar|url=https://www.meghalayatimes.in/dalmia-presents-young-achievers-award-to-morningstar/|access-date=2021-06-02|website=Meghalaya Times|language=en-US}}</ref>

She was contacted through her maternal uncle D. Renthlei in November 2020 from Rahman's agent and talked about possible support from Rahman.<ref name=":3" />

In 2021, she was inducted to the Mizo singers' society, Mizo Zaimi Inzawmkhawm, as a life member and is the youngest member.<ref name=":5" /> On 5 November 2021, the MZI gave her the best "Non-native Award" for her music video, Jana Gana Mana.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-05|title=MZI Rimawi Award 2021 hlanna hun hmang; Thangkhat lian chhunga zaithiam ber - Vanlalsailova!|url=https://www.exploremizoram.com/2021/11/mzi-rimawi-award-2021-hlanna-hun-hmang.html|access-date=2021-11-07}}</ref>

== Discography ==
Esther Hnamte has recorded and published the following songs:

# Maa Tujhe Salaam (2020)<ref name=":7" />
# Dilna Hlawhtlin Tirtu Lalpa (2020)<ref name=":7" />
# One Day at a Time (2020)<ref name=":7" />
# [[The Greatest Gift of All]] (2020, with R. Lalramchhana)<ref name=":5" />
#Jana Gana Mana (2021)<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|last=Dey|first=Stela|date=2021-08-29|title=Watch: 5-Year-Old Sings National Anthem In Army Uniform With Soldiers|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/watch-5-year-old-mizoram-girl-esther-hnamte-sings-national-anthem-in-army-uniform-with-soldiers-2522547|access-date=2021-11-07|website=NDTV}}</ref>

== Documentary ==
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]].<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":12" /> The festival was organised at Mumbai between 24 and 26 March 2023 by the Sikkim Film Board and the [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]], Government of India.<ref name=":11" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Mahima Chaudhry, Padmini Kolhapure, Gulshan Grover: Celebs grace the North Eastern Film Festival (NEFF 2023) |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/mahima-chaudhry-padmini-kolhapure-gulshan-grover-celebs-grace-the-north-eastern-film-festival-neff-2023/articleshow/99015101.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-03-29 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hnamte, Esther}}
[[Category:2016 births]]
[[Category:People from Lunglei]]
[[Category:Mizo people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian child singers]]
[[Category:Female characters in advertising]]
[[Category:Child characters in advertising]]

Esther Hnamte - Revision history

WikiDwarfBOT at 04:52, 22 July 2023