Manthan
SINGER-SONGWRITER | RESEARCH SCHOLAR | TECH ENTHUSIAST
Q1.Can you take us back to 2014—what sparked your interest in music, and how did it all begin with Zenith Sun?
It’s going to be a nostalgic ride back to history. In 2014, a few friends of mine in school performed &; Boulevard of Broken Dreams; by Green Day in the morning assembly. I kinda liked what they were doing up on the stage. Maybe the wire to get into music sparked from that day onwards. I recall around that time I used to record my voice in the mobile recorder app and check how my voice sounds, but I was never confident enough that I sound good. It was the same time period, when I became a huge fan of the band One Direction and was very much influenced by Zayn Malik. One day, around November or December 2014, I randomly recorded a video doing a cover of the song, & What Makes You Beautiful; by One Direction and shared it with those friends of mine in school who performed at the assembly. They liked my voice and said that I should’ve been a part of their band. Since our journey with school was ending, hence we decided to form a band post our board examinations, April 2015 onwards. Eventually, it was all set, we had a team and decided to name our band, &Black Lash. The genre of songs that we planned to make were of genre rock, classic-rock and pop-rock.
Manthan
SINGER-SONGWRITER | RESEARCH SCHOLAR | TECH ENTHUSIAST
Q1.Can you take us back to 2014—what sparked your interest in music, and how did it all begin with Zenith Sun?
It’s going to be a nostalgic ride back to history. In 2014, a few friends of mine in school performed &; Boulevard of Broken Dreams; by Green Day in the morning assembly. I kinda liked what they were doing up on the stage. Maybe the wire to get into music sparked from that day onwards. I recall around that time I used to record my voice in the mobile recorder app and check how my voice sounds, but I was never confident enough that I sound good.
It was the same time period, when I became a huge fan of the band One Direction and was very much influenced by Zayn Malik. One day, around November or December 2014, I randomly recorded a video doing a cover of the song, & What Makes You Beautiful; by One Direction and shared it with those friends of mine in school who performed at the assembly. They liked my voice and said that I should’ve been a part of their band. Since our journey with school was ending, hence we decided to form a band post our board examinations, April 2015 onwards. Eventually, it was all set, we had a team and decided to name our band, &Black Lash. The genre of songs that we planned to make were of genre rock, classic-rock and pop-rock.
We were aiming to get featured on VH1 India. In this new journey, I realised that my real name would be difficult to pronounce for an international audience thus I made an artist name for myself. This is how Zenith Sun came to existence. My mom’s side of the family belongs to the solar dynasty, same as Lord Rama, and the zenith alias horizon is the point where sun rises and sets down for us, the people on Earth. Hence, Zenith Sun! Now further the band went on a hiatus before we could even record our first song due to everyone’s personal lives engagement, but music was my first priority and I decided to carry onto this journey forward all alone. Around the same time, there was a lot of tussle at home between me and my parents regarding my career choice. I was making music in English, and they wondered why an audience outside would listen to a brown Indian guy. The concern was genuine as there was no big scope for a solo artist pursuing English Music in the Indian music industry, and there weren’t any big names to be showcased as an example as well. Also they wanted me to just learn music and keep it just as a passion. Beyond that they wanted me learn Indian Classical Music. They were not in favour of me posting videos on YouTube as well. Not being able to find the right teachers, and having no support at home, thus, I decided to make it all private and live in a confined world. Zenith Sun became my alter identity. My parents weren’t aware of this name, therefore I started making music covers under this name and kept the privacy setting such that it could be seen just to the people with whom I shared the link. It was my safe haven.
Q2.You were doing live sessions on YouNow back then—how did that experience shape your confidence and connection with audiences?
The decision to do live sessions on YouNow was a conscious choice. I wanted to perform live shows when I entered college and wanted to join the college’s band, but they were making purely rock music which wasn’t my interest anymore. I was inclined more towards creating music like pop-artists, to name a few- Zayn, Shakira, Rihanna, Backstreet Boys, Charlie Puth, Coldplay, Maroon 5 and many more. Also, I wasn’t confident performing live in front of so many people. Therefore, I decided to stick to YouTube until I was ready. Now, I used to follow some American and Canadian YouTubers back then whom I saw doing live sessions on You Now. That’s how I got to know about the app. The beautiful aspect of this app was that it connected you to an unknown audience in the world. Therefore, around winters in 2015 I made my account. I started learning about the app, and used to ask for chances from the live performers there if they could feature me during their sessions for a minute or so. Got some chances and I got positive reviews which gave me the confidence to run a live show of my own. YouNow gave me a chance to connect with the world and show my art to an audience who understood that artform well. I recall there were days where there wasn’t any audience at all and I was still performing for an hour or so, but one day a miracle happened, and I had around 1k viewers, which kinda elevated my confidence to stay on this musical journey ahead. In a way it taught me about dealing with the audience. Lesson was- & You might have tough days in life, but it shouldn’t be reflected on your face. Keep that smile on your face and let the show go on
Q3.Tell us about your classical Western music training with Nadya Balyan—how did it influence your sound?
Back in 2015 my search for a vocal coach of Western Music began. It was a very difficult task then as I had no connections with anyone in the industry, and those connections I’ve had around knew gurus of Indian classical music only. Met many wrong teachers on the way who made it look like being a performer wouldn’t be ever possible in India. Though I never had faith in such voices so I stopped looking for teachers and started using online resources to furnish my skills. Finally after a long time a miracle happened, and I met Nadya Balyan Ma’am in 2021. I was pretty nervous when I first met her as she was a big name in the Classical Western Music scenario in the city. She’s been the conductor of Delhi Chamber Choir as well. Thus, I thought she might reject me but I recall my first class with her and all that fear going away as soon as the class began. She is such a sweet lady and a mentor and teaches her students with such patience and warmth. I never understood the relevance of sheet music and the importance of understanding classical pieces. She also began to teach me play piano alongside. Along with these two classes she used to tell me the story behind evolution of certain sounds and made me understand how mathematical this entire process of music composition can be. She once said to me, Manthan, you can make music digitally these days but understanding classical music helps you expand your production. These lines have been my mantra which lies in the core of my heart now. Understanding how instrumental music can beautifully reflect upon human emotions and how classical western music emphasises on the science behind generating different voices and breathing help me incorporate the methodology to the lessons I learned over the past years on my own. Biggest lesson was to unlearn a lot of wrong techniques which I was practicing over years. Thus meeting her gave me a new perspective to understand music.
Q4.After a decade of learning and growing, how did you know it was the right time to release your debut single?
It wasn’t that I never tried to take my music out and share with the rest of word. I really wished to do that, but the genre and language in which I was making songs hardly had any shots to be signed by the Record Labels in India, 10 years ago. After a long time with industry revolutionising itself and giving a chance to independent western musicians gave me the comfort to think over again. Finally in 2023, I attended a concert of & Backstreet Boys. They were magical on stage. Seeing them I realised it’s been enough now and I want to get on the other side of the stage. Second such incidence happened when I attended a concert of Delhi Chamber Choir conducted by my mentor, Nadya Ma’am. The happiness those artists had after the show was over spoke volumes. That was the moment when I took out from the locked folders and decided to send the one as a demo further. I was lil dubious regarding sharing demo to Record Labels across the country, because I made my mind that this was my last attempt to think professionally about this career and had a fear what if someone stole it and claim its theirs. Finally I let all the guards go off and sent, to all the labels who might be interested in the genre of my song, also texted some independent musicians on Instagram to guide me on this way. I waited for months but none of them replied back except for one label. That reply wasn’t to offer me a deal, but to appreciate my work and state the reason behind not signing me up as well too. Having all hopes gone in the country, I finally found this France based producer who was ready to collaborate with me, and things officially started processing then after. Everything was in line until came a day when I had to sign the contract with his Label. That’s when I asked my dad after 9 years, around January 2024 to help me taking the professional steps ahead. Before signing the contract I had to be sure, I wasn’t getting trapped into something that I might regret later thus he was the only option available around me to advise me further. Though he wasn’t still sure about my singing ability, but he took my demo to Himanshu Joshi uncle(Indian Ocean Band) and without telling my name made him listen my demo. Himanshu uncle loved the song and when he got to know it was sung by me and the scenario I was surrounded with, it was his idea to get the song released with a local producer than jumping abroad at first go. This also gave my parents a confidence in me and now they started being much supportive. He suggested me to contact an Indian producer who was also based in France then. Turned out it was a small world, the producer was none other than, Sharad Joshi. Sharad I were connected on Facebook for years but I never had guts to approach him for work over the years. Finally me and Sharad met and recorded, & Rencontre. Idea was just to create one song and check how it plays out. We started working together towards the release is when we realised that we have a similar music taste and one day he said, I’d be happy to collaborate for further projects, and that’s how we ended up releasing my debut single, Rencontré, 5 other singles and an EP so far, and we’re still working on our new project.
Q5.Your music has unique names like Rencontre, Vintage, Ruse- what inspires your songwriting and naming process?
What if I say, there is no such process behind it? haha! Definitely there is a basic songwriting structure that I follow, but I don’t see myself bounded by it. I do understand the necessity of knowing the methodology, but so do I feel that no one can teach you songwriting. It comes from within. What methodology can do is just furnish your writing and make it suitable to the composition. About song titles, I’d say again that there is no process. Idea is just to have one which represents the emotions in the songs aptly, yet maintains the mystery for audience until they hear the song.
Q6.How do you balance being a Research Scholar in Economics and a singer-songwriter? Do these worlds ever overlap?
It was a tough choice to manage both the worlds together, but I had the confidence over years of being able to manage my time wisely between academia and music, thus I went all in without a doubt. Getting a Ph.D degree is a big task in life, and yes the worlds overlapped in the first year of the program wherein I had to spent a year at campus for coursework. Thus, I had to be in Gandhinagar(Gujarat) for one year. Being away from home, living in a city by my own had its own challenge. I had to cook my meals, do my laundry and go to the University and take time out for rehearsals in the same time frame. There were days when we had Seminar and I had to be in university all day round and couldn’t give time to music but made it sure to compensate for that on the other day when I’m. free. Fun part is that I recorded my demo for and wrote my song & Vintage in Gandhinagar only. I was able to maintain a fine balance thus had the perfect grades in the end of the day and kicked off my music journey professionally. A lot of credit goes to the faculty of my University especially my research supervisor Dr. Satyajeet Deshpande and Prof. Sarita Agarwal for being so supportive in my musical journey and making things easier as a Research Scholar for me. Its hard to find such a support outside your family.
Q7.How Your EP, 'Amour' and your singles have been loved. What feedback has touched you the most so far?
Three feedbacks which gave a positive affirmation that I’m on the right track was coming from three legends in their respective professional fields. Firstly, the support I
have received from Hrishikesh Kannan Sir(National Brand Head, Radio One International) and the team of 94.3 Radio One International has made this journey easier. After listening to my demo track for the first time, HrishiKay Sir said that he and Radio One Network would support me in beginning this chapter of my life. After all these years of struggle to be accepted and recognised for my work, it was a very big moment for me. Secondly, a veteran music journalist, Narendra Kusnur Sir reviewed my debut single. He found my voice bringing back a taste of music by the bands in the 90s which is a very big compliment as I grew up listening to the music of 90s. Thirdly, last year I was blessed enough to get a chance to meet Sukhwinder Singh Sir and make him listen my songs. What he said boosted my confidence to keep pursuing what I’m doing right now. He said, Manthan, your voice is like a Lullaby to the ears of a sleeping kid. It’s beautiful, don’t change it ever All these moments touched my heart to its core.
Q8.What was the experience like performing lives at Banaras Lit Fest and Kalinga Lit Fest for the first time?
Performing my songs live was a dream, and these two festivals gave me a chance to live that dream. A year ago I was attending Kalinga Lit Fest in Kathmandu, Nepal as an audience. This was when I was approached by the Founder of the festival Mr. Rashmi Ranjan Paridathat, Manthan you’re definitely performing at Kalinga Lit Fest- Bhubaneswar in 2025 and I couldn’t say No. It was all I wanted for a long time. Post that I got a call from Banaras Lit Fest and the timeline was such that both festivals were in March. BLF in the starting of month and KLF towards the end of month. These live shows made me meet two wonderful musicians, my guitarist, Yash Pahwa and my keyboardist, Kshaunish Girdhar. In both the places I didn’t expect it but the appreciation I got from different age groups of people was very overwhelming. Though it was challenging to perform at Banaras Lit Fest as a while ago only I lost my maternal grandpa and had to keep the show running whatever the case be. Thus there was so much to learn about live shows as an artist. Overall it was a joyous journey.
Q9.Banaras Do you follow a set process while composing, or does creativity strike you at random times?
There is no one pathway that I follow while composing. I’d rather say that it’s a blend of two. Sometimes I have the lyrics ready with me then I compose a melody to match the vibes of the song while sometimes both things happen alongside- writing and composing. Also sometimes in case of half cooked songs it’s a conscious effort to complete the song if it ain’t naturally adding up.
Q10.How do you blend Western Music with Indian folk in your upcoming EP? Any teasers you'd like to share?
Well, I’ll say, let’s keep that as a mystery. All I can say for now, it is a very challenging and exciting project that I’ve picked up. And I’m eagerly waiting for the day to present these songs to all of you.
Q11.What role does vulnerability play in your music?
I’ve been through a phase of life when I struggled with Depression. I recall the days of being stuck to my bed and not wanting do anything, neither socialising with anyone. After getting some advice from professionals through online resources which was very hard to find in the country then, finally I started involving myself in productive utilisation of my time, that was learning and making music. Also as a listener it was all around me. Few songs made me realise that I’m not alone. Thus, both as a creator and a listener, music helped me in healing myself. Therefore through my songs I try to be as honest I can be with my emotions without any layer of filter, so out there if someone is struggling with similar situation then they feel heard and relatable enough.
Q 12.Has music ever helped you overcome personal challenges or express what words couldn't?
Well sometimes words can be exhausting enough to make you survive a perplex situation in life. Thus when these words entangle themselves with music they altogether create a different world. I recall of the time when I walked off the relationship I was into years ago, it was difficult for me to express my emotions to anyone and music use to be the medium to express and make everyone around me understand what I’m going through.
Q 13.What can we expect from your new single, "M2A" that you released in May 2025?
Well, Well! M2A was that song which I was planning to shelve this year, but an instinct made me take a decision to rather release it now. It’s a song about journey of two
people between places and how that journey turns out for the two in the end. It’s about how a narcissist partner can make your life surrounded by an imaginary bubble making it look like, that you are a problem and not their action instead, and comes a day finally when you realise it’s enough and you do everything to protect yourself. In short, it’s a story about surviving a Psychologically Abusive relationship.
Q 14.Where do you see your musical journey heading over the next three years?
Probably creating more songs and experimenting with new genres that I haven’t tried so far.
Q 15."What does Success" mean to you- charts, connection, or creative freedom?
I can say, the charts and connections don’t matter at all to me, but that would be a lie. Well I decided to put my songs in a public domain so it does matter to me that it reaches a considerable number of audience and connects with them, but I admit that I’m not dying to witness huge numbers everyday. I hardly check my statistics unless professionally required to do the same. About Creative Freedom yes! Its a success to me if I’m being able to present myself the way I’m without any filters.
Q 16.Any success mantra or personal belief that keeps you going, especially on tough days?
I’d like to quote a line from my favourite show, Once Upon a Time (ABC). In the show, the character Mary Margaret says this to her grandson Henry- Believing in even the possibility of a happy ending, is a powerful thing These lines have kept me going despite how worst the situations been in life. Along with that Being Authentic is another mantra I prefer to follow.