Bhubaneswar: Jyotirmayee Nayak’s stint on Indian Idol 16 reflects not just her musical journey but also significant personal growth, marking her transition from regional recognition in Odisha to a national platform.
Alongside her work on stage, Nayak’s role as a music therapist adds depth to her journey, with her voice serving as a medium of comfort and healing.
In an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, Nayak said the show has played a key role in shaping her growth, both professionally and personally.
“If I talk about it from a singer’s perspective, when I came here, I was already known as an Ollywood playback singer in Odisha. I had sung many songs back home. But when you come to a national platform like Indian Idol, the responsibility becomes much bigger because now you’re representing your state in front of the whole country,” Nayak shared.
She acknowledged that the journey was marked by pressure and moments of self-doubt, which continually pushed her to strive for improvement.
“There was a lot of pressure. I kept thinking about what next, how to improve, what more I could do. Earlier, I couldn’t even sit for long hours to practise, but here, being surrounded by such talented singers, you automatically start adapting. You learn from your co-contestants, their habits, their discipline,” she added.
“As a singer, I’ve learned so much, and that has also changed me as a person. If I look back at myself from seven months ago, I can clearly see how much I’ve grown.”
Speaking about the judges’ feedback, Nayak said she has learned to accept both appreciation and criticism with equal composure.
“Yes, there were moments when I felt a bit low, like when I wasn’t appreciated as much despite putting in a lot of effort. But that’s part of life. The same people will praise you one day and point out your mistakes the next,” she said.
“I’ve learned to take all feedback positively because the judges are legends—they have so much experience. For example, Vishal sir once told me that my voice has a natural husk, which is a gift. But he also said that if I add more dynamics, I can make it even better. Since then, I’ve been consciously working on that,” she went on.
On the death of Asha Bhosle and the impact of her legacy, an emotional Nayak said, “I don’t think there is any singer who hasn’t been inspired by Asha ji. Her journey itself is so inspiring—it wasn’t easy for her to reach where she did.”
“Today, we have social media and so many platforms, but back then, it was much harder. Her life as well as her music motivates me a lot, especially as a woman trying to make a mark.”
Talking about her music, she said, “Every song she sang had a different character. It never felt like the same person singing. I’ve performed many of her songs like Khatuba, Soni Meri Soni, and O Haseena Zulfon Wali, and each one felt completely different. That’s what inspires me—the versatility she had.”
Opening up about her fiancé and the emotional moment when he surprised her on the show, Nayak said, “To be honest, even I didn’t expect that moment to happen in Abu Dhabi — it was very special. Ours is a proper arranged marriage. We met through our parents on an online platform and started talking from there.”
She revealed that their relationship is just “slightly longer” than her Indian Idol journey.
“He came to Mumbai once to meet me during my rehearsals, and then the second time was in Yas Island, which made it even more memorable.”
On her future plans, Nayak said, “As for marriage, we’ve thought about it, but not right now. I want to focus on my career first. We’ll definitely announce it when the time is right, but for now, I’d like to keep that part of my life a little private.”
One of the most defining aspects of her journey, she said, is her work as a music therapist, which she described as deeply meaningful.
“I’m a very emotional and spiritual person. I feel deeply connected to Lord Jagannath. At one point, I started questioning the purpose of my music — how I could use it for something meaningful,” she said.
“That’s when I discovered music therapy. I studied it and did an internship at a hospital, working with cancer patients. I saw how music could actually help people heal. We even measured changes in things like blood pressure and oxygen levels,” she revealed.
Reflecting on the impact of those experiences, she shared, “Some patients told me they felt better just by listening to me sing. That made me realise how powerful music can be.”
Nayak recalled a deeply emotional moment. “There was one patient, Mania Tirke, who really connected with me. She used to ask for specific songs, and even though I wasn’t familiar with gospel music, I learned for her. Later, I found out she kept asking about me even after I stopped going… and then she passed away.”
“That moment still stays with me. I felt guilty that I couldn’t go back and sing for her one last time. But I also believe that the blessings I received from patients like her helped me reach where I am today.”
