A video of a four-year-old Mizo girl’s rendition of A.R. Rahman’s Maa Tujhe Salaam- Vande Mataram has been shared widely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga and the musician tweeting admiration for her soulful rendition.
The music video with Esther Hnamte, from Lunglei district, in a frock and holding the Tricolour was posted on October 25 on YouTube and has received over 9 lakh views and over 7,600 comments till Monday evening.
Adorable and admirable! Proud of Esther Hnamte for this rendition. https://t.co/wQjiK3NOY0
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 31, 2020
Mesmerizing Esther Hnamte, a 4-years-old kid from Lunglei, Mizoram singing
— Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) October 30, 2020
Maa Tujhe Salaam; Vande Mataram https://t.co/at40H8j3zv pic.twitter.com/O1Nq2LxACK
The video also carried a message, “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.”
Modi said in a tweet: “Adorable and admirable! Proud of Esther Hnamte for this rendition.”
“Mesmerizing Esther Hnamte, a 4-years-old kid from Lunglei, Mizoram singing Maa Tujhe Salaam; Vande Mataram,” Zoramthanga tweeted.
When you are showered with cuteness and love 😊🌹Esther (4 years) https://t.co/AgCjcLXfov via @YouTube
— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) October 30, 2020
Rahman tweeted, “When you are showered with cuteness and love…”
Esther’s maternal uncle D. Renthlei, 31, told The Telegraph on Sunday night that she started singing when before she was three-years-old. She can sing in Mizo, Hindi and English and her next video will be a Christmas song.
Both Esther’s parents are into business, he said.
Renthlei also said that Rahman’s office contacted them on Friday morning but a detailed discussion could not take place.
“We will request Rahman sir to take Esther under his wings,” he said.