A multilingual marvel, London-born Indo-Nairobian Syna Shah captivates audiences with her soulful voice while inspiring others to pursue their dreams. The 12-year-old singer began her musical journey at the tender age of five, and has released several albums, and can perform in Hindi, English, Swahili, Spanish, French, and Tamil. As the brand ambassador for an albinism foundation, she powerfully sends across the message that just as albinism has not hindered her talent, anyone can achieve their dreams.
A melodious beginning
Syna’s passion for music blossomed early in life. As a young child, she was known for humming and singing songs, a habit that quickly evolved into a full-blown love affair with music. “I used to sing along to songs whenever I heard them, like while travelling in the car,” she recalls, a memory that ties back to the encouragement of her maternal grandfather. His support was instrumental in Syna’s early years, and his passing in 2019 only deepened her resolve. “I’ve been inspired by my nana who died in 2019, and I took up music to make him proud,” Syna shared in an interview.
Her musical talent did not go unnoticed for long. At a social gathering in India, the singing prodigy met Rameshwar Singh, a renowned video director. Impressed by her vocal abilities, Singh quickly recognized the potential in the young artist. “I can sing both Western and Indian classical,” she said, referring to the diverse styles that shape her unique sound. With Singh’s mentorship, Syna embarked on her professional journey in music with several YouTube videos to her credit.
Global influences and musical mastery
Despite growing up in Nairobi, Syna’s roots and inspirations are as diverse as her repertoire. Her ability to sing in multiple languages adds a rich, multicultural texture to her music.
Her collaborations speak volumes about her growing influence in the music industry. Syna has released more than ten songs to date, working with prominent names such as the Kenyan musician Bien-Aimé Baraza and Agnes Kiunga (better known as Aggie the Dance Queen). One of Syna’s biggest hits, “Fly Away,” was co-written by Bien, while her cover of Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do” featured Aggie the Dance Queen.
View this post on Instagram
Balancing beats and books
What makes Syna’s story even more remarkable is her ability to juggle her burgeoning music career with her academic responsibilities. A dedicated student at Nairobi’s Peponi School, Syna is a living example of the idea that passion and discipline can coexist harmoniously. “I do my homework and whatever I’ve been given and sing Indian classical or Western, one of them every day for one hour,” she explained, adding that she attends singing classes thrice a week. Her structured routine, which includes attending school from Monday to Friday followed by regular practice sessions helps her build balance between her academics and musical pursuits.
Dreaming big
Looking to the future, Syna remains both humble and ambitious. “My parents support me a lot and during the hard times they always encourage me,” she reflected. With dreams of collaborating with global icons, she envisions a future where she can sing with established singers. “I would like to work with maybe Bruno Mars or Ed Sheeran or Shreya Ghoshal,” she remarked.
The young singer’s admiration for legendary artists is evident in the way she models her own artistry. “My favourite singer is Lata Mangeshkar,” revealed the young singer who draws inspiration from one of India’s most revered voices. Even as Syna experiments with different genres and languages, her heart remains rooted in the rich traditions of Indian culture, however she prefers singing in English because she understands the lyrics better.
Syna Shah’s journey is a radiant reminder that no barrier can dim the brilliance of a dream pursued with passion.
- Follow Syna Shah on Instagram and YouTube
- Read More Fascinating Stories
