The serene in sensation

In conversation with Shyamoli Sanghi, the 19-year-old singing sensation!

What do you call a person who studies Maths and Philosophy at Stanford University, sings in Zulu, Zhosa, Spanish, Mandarin and Shona as part of an a cappella, plays the tabla, the harmonium and the piano proficiently, has been a playback singer for Indian teleserials, and has just released two original tracks with a renowned music label? You call her a genius, and you definitely call her over for more work!

Welcome Shyamoli Sanghi, the 19-year-old singing sensation who has taken the music industry by storm with her just-released singles ‘Tu Na Aaya’ and ‘Dorr’. She has also sung for shows Kalash: Ek Vishwaas and Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil and earned some magical praise from Ekta Kapoor.

Beginning young comes easy to Shyamoli.

The songstress says she trained in Hindustani classical music since she was six. While music is her first love, academics is important to her. “Although I come from an academically inclined family, my parents do enjoy music — a primary reason they encouraged me to pursue my interest in this area. However, I made sure I maintained a balance between studies and music,” she says, alluding to enrolling at Stanford.

When she took a six-month break after the first semester there, Shyamoli met Ravi Singhal, the music composer of ‘Tu Na Aaya’. They hit it off and decided to get it recorded. “When Zee Music heard the song, they loved it and decided to release it on their platform. It was a big break for me, and the song received over 11 million views in the first month of its release,” she says. Her second track, called ‘Dorr’, has already crossed five million views within a week of release.

Shyamoli has now resumed her studies. Walking the tightrope between work and studies comes easy to the young girl. “I am used to maintaining a balance between the two. Although it was challenging for me to balance singing and studies initially, with time I learned the art of dividing and dedicating my hours to both.”

Shyamoli says that adulation by fans is not something she covets. “Even if someone does not know that I have sung the songs, but likes them, that is more than enough for me. It is important to not let success get to you as it can cloud the mind and prevent you from focusing on your goal. For me, it is important that I get better with each song and learn new things along the way. I am taking this success in my stride and considering it as a stepping stone to my dream of becoming a playback singer one day.”

Up next is a Sufi-inspired single, a style the girl loves.

Shyamoli is on a high as both her singles feature her. “I have always wanted to compose and sing original numbers, and sing the kind of songs I love listening to. It gives me immense satisfaction that I am getting an opportunity to live my dream. To feature in my own songs is a bonus definitely!” she confesses.