The Rise of Mizoram’s Esther Hnamte: India’s Youngest Singing Sensation
In the world of music and patriotism, one name is making headlines across India — Esther Lalduhawmi Hnamte, a nine-year-old singing prodigy from Lunglei, Mizoram. She’s not just a viral internet star — she’s become a symbol of youthful patriotism, cultural pride, and artistic excellence. Here’s why the country has been buzzing about Esther lately.
Who Is Esther Hnamte?
Esther Lalduhawmi Hnamte was born on June 9, 2016, in Lunglei, a scenic town in the northeastern state of Mizoram, India. She discovered her passion for singing at a very young age — reportedly beginning to sing in public by the age of three. Growing up in a musical environment, with a family and community that nurtured her talent, she quickly stood out for her clear voice, emotional depth, and ability to memorise complex songs in different languages despite her young age. The Times of India+1
Esther isn’t just a local talent — she’s one of the fastest-growing young musicians in the Northeast. Her YouTube channel became an essential platform where she uploaded heartfelt renditions of patriotic and popular songs, attracting millions of viewers and subscribers. The Times of India+1
From Viral Videos to National Fame
Esther’s breakthrough moment came in 2020, when a video of her singing A.R. Rahman’s “Maa Tujhe Salaam” went viral on social media. What started as a humble home performance rapidly caught the attention of people across India — with prominent figures like Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising her rendition as “adorable and admirable.” The Times of India+1
But that was just the beginning.
🇮🇳 Patriotic Performances That Touched Millions
Esther’s heartfelt renditions of patriotic songs like “Vande Mataram” and “Jana Gana Mana” have made her a nationwide symbol of youthful love for the nation. One of her most memorable performances involved her singing the national anthem alongside soldiers from the Assam Rifles, dressed in a miniature Army uniform — a moment shared and celebrated across social platforms. The Times of India+1
Her music videos have accumulated tens of millions of views, and at one point she became the first individual Mizo YouTuber to surpass one million subscribers — a major milestone for representation from the Northeast on digital platforms. NorthEast Now+1
Recognition, Awards & National Honour
What really pushed Esther into the spotlight recently is her being awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 — the highest civilian honour given to children in India — in the category of Art & Culture. She received this prestigious award from Presidhttps://trendsbrief.com/the-rise-of-mizorams-esther-hnamte-indias-youngest-singing-sensation/ent Droupadi Murmu on December 26, 2025, in New Delhi. India Today NE
The Rashtriya Bal Puraskar celebrates exceptional achievements by children under 18, and Esther’s inclusion underlines not just her musical talent, but her impact as a cultural ambassador for the Northeast. India Today NE
Over the years, she has also received various other recognitions — from appreciation awards by the Governor of Mizoram to Young Achievers Awards from private institutions, and even featuring in an award-winning documentary titled “A Star is Born,” which won a Silver Award at the Northeast Film Festival. Uni India
Why Is She Trending Now?
Esther has resurfaced in public conversation and media trending lists for several reasons:
1. Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025
Her receiving India’s top national recognition for children is the big news that’s driving coverage across the country. India Today NE
2. Continued Social Media & Cultural Impact
Her YouTube milestones and viral videos have kept her in the public eye beyond just one performance. NorthEast Now
3. Representation & Inspiration
Esther represents regional diversity, digital success, and national unity — especially significant coming from the Northeast, a region that often gets less coverage in mainstream Indian media. Uni India
What Makes Esther Special?
What sets Esther apart isn’t just her voice — it’s her emotional delivery and ability to touch hearts across cultures and languages.
- She began singing as a toddler and picked up multi-lingual songs early on. Uni India
- She has performed patriotic songs with full sincerity and respect, making audiences emotional and proud. GKToday
- She has stood beside grown-up artists and soldiers with confidence far beyond her years. GKToday
Her story is inspiring not just for aspiring artists, but for anyone who believes talent combined with passion and opportunity can transcend boundaries.
Esther Hnamte’s journey — from her home in Mizoram to the halls of Rashtrapati Bhavan — is a story of innate talent, viral recognition, and national pride. Her singing has united diverse audiences, celebrated India’s cultural fabric, and shown the world how a child from the Northeast can become a symbol of unity in diversity.
