YEH MERI KAHANI

I participated in a state level singing competition when I was 16 years of age and won it! It was a surprise because I had never received any professional training, though the love for music was in me since a young age. In the same year, 2015, I got appreciated by Bollywood singer Ami Mishra for the cover I did of his famous song ‘Haan Hasi Ban Gaye’. However small that achievement may seem in hindsight, it gave me the confidence to go ahead and chase my dreams.

Talking about my music journey, my father was an Indian Classical teacher and director of People’s Theatre Association of Bihar for 23 years. In 2002, Bihar suffered a destructive earthquake. The high school he used to teach at was destroyed and he lost his job. The family went through a bad financial crisis. To support us, he started a general store. The shop paid well but for that he had to let go of his dreams of becoming a musician.

My father told me that he sees a great deal of himself in me and that with the right training and guidance I could accomplish a lot in my musical career, which he couldn’t.
To pursue our dream, I joined Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, New Delhi, the most prestigious music college in India. It was quite difficult getting in there, but after many rigorous auditions I got admission. During my Classical training days, I won the singing reality show - Shining Stars on Delhi level.

Hymnusion Live - was a six-piece band, which we formed and performed pan-India, till the pandemic hit. Like every artist, it affected me too. I moved to Mumbai, a city where dreams come true. We all adjusted to the ‘New Normal’ and I started doing digital performances, which were a new experience. I got an opportunity to work with Della Resorts, Lonavala as their in-house artist.
 

The phrase –

"Don’t worry about the destination, enjoy the journey."

I live by that now… Through all the ups and downs, I have only become a better version of myself, and a much better performer!

- Saksham Rajput