Singer-songwriter Zeba Tommy on successful the Kerala State Awards 2024 for Best Playback Singer

“It is a full circle second,” says singer-songwriter Zeba Tommy on successful the Kerala State Film Awards 2024 for one of the best playback singer (feminine). The singer, 24, who started her journey singing choruses for Gopi Sundar as an adolescent, has received the award for the tune ‘Aarorum’, composed by him for Am Ah starring Dileesh Pothan.

“’Aarorum’ comes at an important stage within the movie; so I needed to verify I did justice to the tune and convey the feelings expressed within the lyrics.”

The artiste says the monitor is totally different when in comparison with the remainder of her discography, owing to its low-pitched nature. “This tune explored the decrease vary of my voice,” says the artiste.

The State Award win has come at a time for Zeba when she is recent from the success of Lokah Chapter 1 : Chandra, during which she sang the English monitor ‘Queen of the Night’, which was additionally written by her. “I sing in several languages and genres. The award has come for a melodic Malayalam lullaby, whereas ‘Queen of the Night’ falls into one other style, exploring the protagonist’s solitude. To have back-to-back success with totally different genres feels nice.”

Zeba describes the recognition of ‘Queen of the Night’ as “a testomony to the Malayali listeners’ style. This was additionally the primary time that I wrote a tune for a film. When Jakes chettan (composer Jakes Bejoy) requested if I needed to put in writing the lyrics, I agreed. Then, Dominic Arun [director of Lokah…]briefed me concerning the film and despatched a couple of visuals. This made issues simpler. I put myself in Chandra’s footwear and wrote how she feels,” says Zeba, who has additionally crooned in Officer on Duty, Phillip’s, Garudan, and Pookkalam.

While she started studying Carnatic music on the age of six, she picked up Western music on her personal throughout her teenage years. She holds grades six and eight in rock and pop, and Western classical music, respectively, from the Trinity College London. “I’m a mix of all these colleges of music and studying. My listening and experimentation replicate in my music,” says Zeba.

After ending her education and faculty in Kochi, she moved to Mumbai to pursue a diploma in music manufacturing from The Audio Guys Institute. She stayed again within the metropolis for a couple of extra years. “I really like Mumbai. The metropolis has helped me personally and creatively. It is vibrant, chaotic, however has a lot character. I acquired the artistic push for my two originals from town. I’ve grown as an individual as nicely,” says Zeba.

The stint in Mumbai additionally earned Zeba an opportunity to work in Bollywood. In Heeramandi, a interval drama sequence on Netflix directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, she has sung the tracks featured within the teasers and trailers of the present.

What lies forward

While the artiste has earned her singer-songwriter tag, she says it was solely not too long ago that she discovered the boldness to place out her personal songs. “I compose my very own songs too. I consider the sky is the restrict for any artiste. I’d like to foray into music composing, association, and manufacturing. I’d additionally like to do music for films sooner or later.”

Zeba, who’s planning the discharge of her subsequent single titled, ‘Cortados’ on November 15, says, “Just a few folks have reached out to me for playback singing. I’m additionally specializing in releasing my impartial music and do exhibits with my band, Zeba Tommy Live.”