A young singer from Kerala has captured national attention after her audition on a popular Hindi music reality show went massively viral, amassing over 60 million views online within days.
Amritha Rajan, a native of Perumbavoor in Kerala, impressed judges Shreya Ghoshal, Vishal Dadlani and Badshah on Indian Idol Season 16 with her confident, effortless rendition of the classic Bollywood song “Hey Rama Ye Kya Hua”.
A confident audition that struck a chord
With her hands casually tucked into her pockets, Amritha delivered flawless vocals and infectious energy, combining technical precision with an easy stage presence. Even before her performance began, she won applause during the sound check with a confident “Check, check, check,” drawing praise from Shreya Ghoshal.
Judges lauded not just her singing but her authenticity and joy on stage — qualities that viewers across India found instantly relatable.
From Kerala to national recognition
Amritha’s journey has been marked by perseverance. Despite limited family support in her early years, she pursued music independently, composing original tracks and refining her craft. Her dedication earned her recognition from A. R. Rahman, who selected her among 10 global voices for his 99 Songs cover competition and personally interacted with her in 2021.
She is also an ICMA award winner and has released multiple original works across streaming platforms, including Kadalinnazham, Hope and Kripaya Palaya.
Words that resonated online
Asked what she expected from the show, Amritha’s response struck a chord: “Don’t impress, just express; don’t compete, just connect.” The statement quickly went viral, further cementing her popularity.
Now among the Top 16 contestants, Amritha Rajan is emerging as a powerful new Malayalam voice on the national stage.