Pursuing creative success
SINGER and songwriter Sanam Sitaram has been inspired and driven by the arts since she was just six.
Sitaram has qualifications in drama, media studies and film production, which she says are useful tools in her pursuit of creative success. “To be able to direct my own short films and music videos is really helpful. My first single, Paper Doll, will be shot by Niko Padayachi and Dayakar Padayachee,” said the 23-yearold.
She has little formal training in music. Her only previous experience was singing in school choirs and a few piano lessons, but Sitaram persisted in developing a singing career. Now, her song will be part of the soundtrack for local writer and director Dayakar Padayachee’s short film, Shadow.
“During my time at university, I performed and taught poetry. Poetry has always fed into the way I write my songs. I ended up developing an indie-pop sound by listening to everything from classic rock to modern hiphop,” said Sitaram.
She also credits the influence of other artists like Halsey, Lana Del Rey, Lorde, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Taylor Momsen (of The Pretty Reckless), for having inspired her vocal styles and lyrics.
When Sitaram was 10, she heard Josh Groban’s song, You Raise Me Up, and decided music was something she loved dearly and wanted to create.
Over the years she has spent countless hours stringing together lyrics and musical sounds. Her passion and dedication, caught the eye of Padayachee, and she was asked to write a song for Shadow.
We got acquainted at a social gathering recently. I was excited to lend my vocals to the film,” she said.
Sitaram is not just a singer, however. “I’m also an actress, which allows me to delve into someone else’s world. I am very happy to have been cast in a local comedy feature. In the near future I will be collaborating with local DJ Carly O on a track,” she said.
Sitaram is currently working on more original songs and a new album.