GUWAHATI: Esther Hnamte, the 8-year-old singing prodigy from Mizoram, has become the first individual Mizo YouTuber to cross the one million (10 lakh) subscriber milestone on the platform. Known for her soulful renditions, Hnamte has captivated audiences across India and beyond.
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Hailing from Lunglei district, Esther rose to prominence in late 2020 when her heartfelt version of A.R. Rahman’s patriotic song “Maa Tujhe Salaam” went viral. The song, recorded at home during the COVID-19 lockdown, catapulted her to national attention and earned her wide acclaim.
In 2021, she further released a music video of India’s national anthem “Jana Gana Mana” on August 13. The video featured the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, both of which supported the production. It garnered over three million views within a week. She became the youngest recipient of the “Non-native Award” from Mizo Zaimi Inzawmkhawm for this work.
Hnamte’s musical journey has been nurtured by her mother, a retired soprano from the local church choir. Her consistent success has also brought her several recognitions, including a special appreciation from the Governor of Mizoram.
In 2023, a documentary on her life titled A Star is Born won the Best Documentary Award (Silver) at the Northeast Film Festival.
