From lead guitarist in college, to full-time musician, 21-year-old Vihan Damaris a contemporary Christian genre musician, composes and produces her own music in her father’s studio.
he songstress from Bengaluru, always knew she wanted to take up music and plunged into it, soon after college ended. In the past year, she has released 10 songs and four music videos, one of which won the best music video student award at the Indian Cine Film Festival in 2015.
“I grew up in a musical family. My dad played the guitar when he was in college and my mum came out with her own album a few years ago. So, I think I was destined to follow the same path,” says the musician who has performed solo shows at a number of venues in the city.
But for someone who was in college just a year ago, making the choice of becoming a full-time musician could not have been easy. “The key to all of my achievements is my family. They are my biggest support. Music is a risky business but I knew that this is what I wanted to do. My parents have never questioned my decision even though people in the society around us have, because, I’m just starting off and have zero financial security. But I was sure that I’d rather be on the road making music than working a job and wishing I could make music and I still am,” says Vihan positively.
Vihan also opened for Lagori, a huge band in the city but like any other musician, is still waiting for the right moment to make her big break. “I know it takes a while to get there, but I want to get there my way. Not by doing regular covers or the top 40 songs, not that there’s anything wrong with that,” she clarifies hurriedly.
“It’s just that, it’s a whole different thing to listen to and enjoy these songs than to sing and play them. My music is about the relationship I have with God and I feel so strongly about this relationship that I am unable to write about or sing about anything else,” she says.
Contemporary Christian music is not the most popular genre today, and despite that Vihan seems to be doing well for a beginner. “The highlight of my career till date, was when people actually understood and related to my music that was initially very private to me. My lyrics are prayers to God that I note down when I’m either very troubled or ecstatic. And for me, like any other musician, it’s the best feeling in the world when people relate to, and appreciate lyrics that were previously heard only by my bedroom walls,” says the composer who is in the process of recording projects that will soon be aired on television. “I’m not allowed to let out details about it yet. But I’m currently recording projects for local churches, that will be out soon,” she concludes.
