As of today, the infectious Tamil track ‘Golden Sparrow’ from the eagerly awaited Dhanush-Priyanka Mohan film, Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam, has taken the internet by storm, amassing an impressive 18 million views and receiving over 4,200 comments on YouTube. This song has ignited a fierce debate on X (formerly known as Twitter), pitting Generation Z against the pre-Y2K generation in a battle over which era delivered superior music. While the debate rages on, the song’s 24-year-old vocalist, Sublahshini, revels in sharing her personal journey and the role the song has played in her life.
“I’ve read nearly all the comments,” Sublahshini admits with a sense of pride. “Initially, most of the feedback was about [actor] Priyanka Mohan. But eventually, people started to appreciate my voice too. This is a massive milestone for me,” says the vibrant young singer, who has lent her voice alongside the likes of Dhanush and rapper Arivu, all under the music direction of GV Prakash Kumar.
Growing up with insecurities about her deep voice, Sublahshini’s viral hit feels incredibly validating. “My parents cut off the cable connection at home the year I was born to ensure that my brother and I focused solely on our studies. Consequently, the radio became my constant companion. I spent every free moment listening to music but realized that female singers always hit the high notes, which I could never reach. For years, I compromised by singing the male parts. I’m grateful for artists like Adele, Bombay Jayashri, and Usha Uthup. They showed me that a wide range of voices could be captivating, but growing confident in my own voice has been a journey. All I had to do was adjust my pitch,” she explains.
Although ‘Golden Sparrow’ marks her debut in playback singing, Sublahshini is no stranger to the music scene. She has released several independent songs and made a name for herself on Instagram, where she primarily shares English covers. She shares that her music saw a surge in visibility when music producer and singer-songwriter Ritviz reposted one of her covers. This recognition eventually led her to win a contest in 2020, giving her the opportunity to record ‘Kanaa’, a track produced by Indian music producer Nucleya.
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Yet, it was her one-minute song ‘Kaathadi’, created in collaboration with Anand Kashinath during the pandemic in 2021, that really put her on the map. She recalls with delight, “I’ve always been a huge fan of Dulquer Salman because… well, just look at him! When he mentioned liking ‘Kaathadi’ in an interview, it felt surreal. I was on cloud nine.”
Sublahshini, a lover of puns, reinvented her Instagram handle to reflect her playful personality. This creative move not only gained her a unique identity in the music industry but also allowed her to transition from her regular job as a human resources professional to focusing entirely on her music career. She reveals, “I’ve been working on an English album for quite some time. I’m beyond excited to release my independent music by the end of the year, hopefully,” she says.
For now, Sublahshini basks in the success of her viral ‘Golden Sparrow’. The warm reception of this track has provided her with the validation she yearned for as a young girl with an atypical voice in the industry. It is a remarkable moment in her journey, one that she hopes will inspire others with unique voices to find their own place in the music world. This sense of accomplishment drives her to push her boundaries even further.
With her eye-catching rise in the industry and the imminent release of her English album, the future looks bright for Sublahshini. This upcoming project is expected to usher in yet another chapter in her already promising career, showcasing her undeniable talent and versatility. As she stands on the cusp of new musical adventures, the young artist is ready to captivate audiences worldwide with her distinctive voice and creative ingenuity. Only time will tell, but it seems the golden era of Sublahshini has only just begun.
Published – September 25, 2024 03:23 pm IST
Tamil cinema / Indian cinema / pop music / film music
