Bir-Based Musician Anuman Sharma Shares Journey from IT Engineer to Independent Artist

Himachal Pradesh musician reflects on finding his authentic voice, overcoming self-doubt and building a music career on his own terms

BIR, HIMACHAL PRADESH: Musician Anuman Sharma has spoken about his journey from a corporate IT job to pursuing music full-time, highlighting the importance of self-discovery, discipline and perseverance in an episode of Still Human, hosted by actor and filmmaker Robin Leo Hoffman.

In the seventh episode of the series, Sharma reflects on the challenges of choosing an unconventional career, discovering his vocal identity and navigating the pressures of the music industry while remaining rooted in Bir, Himachal Pradesh.

Sharma, who completed an engineering degree before entering the corporate sector, said his desire to pursue music grew stronger over time. During his college years, he experienced considerable emotional conflict over his career choices but decided to complete his degree after recognising the sacrifices his parents had made for his education.

His transition towards music gathered momentum during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when he began exploring his vocal abilities more deeply. In 2023, he eventually left his IT job to pursue music professionally, including opportunities in major music centres such as Mumbai and Delhi.

Discovering his authentic voice

A defining moment in Sharma’s musical journey came during a practice session in the lockdown period. Initially influenced by international pop and R&B singers such as Zayn Malik, Bruno Mars, Enrique Iglesias and Michael Jackson, he had relied heavily on throat singing and falsetto to reach higher notes.

During one evening’s practice, he discovered a way of engaging his chest and diaphragm voice that allowed him to produce a fuller, more resonant sound with less throat strain. The experience was deeply emotional and strengthened his conviction that music was his true calling.

For Sharma, the breakthrough was not merely a technical improvement but a turning point in understanding his artistic identity.

Viral success brought unexpected pressure

During the pandemic, Sharma began posting singing videos on Instagram, sometimes featuring his mother, who is also a vocalist. The videos attracted significant online attention and reportedly generated between 1,000 and 2,000 messages, including approaches from record labels and management companies in Mumbai and Delhi.

The offers included potential recording contracts, live performances and songwriting collaborations. However, Sharma found himself overwhelmed by the sudden attention and his own lack of experience in dealing with the music industry.

He avoided opening or responding to many of these offers for nearly two years. Looking back, he considers the delay both a missed opportunity and a period of personal growth that helped him mature emotionally.

Balancing Hindi expression with global influences

Sharma’s musical identity draws on a combination of Western R&B, pop-rock and ballads. He sees English as a language through which he can explore vocal agility and technical expression, while Hindi allows him to connect more intimately with listeners through emotion, culture and storytelling.

His approach reflects an effort to combine international musical influences with a personal and culturally grounded style.

Discipline, faith and the search for creative freedom

Despite the appeal of living and creating music in Bir, Sharma acknowledges that familiar surroundings can sometimes encourage complacency. He emphasises the need for structure, regular songwriting, live performances and collaborations to maintain creative momentum.

He also reflects on the paradox of freedom, suggesting that too much freedom without a clear direction can leave an artist distracted rather than productive.

Journaling and solitude form part of his creative routine. He often records thoughts on his phone while spending quiet time in local cafés, later distinguishing between personal memories that should remain private and experiences that can be transformed into lyrics.

Faith also plays a role in his approach to anxiety and self-doubt. Influenced by his mother’s devotion to Goddess Saraswati, Sharma uses affirmations to build confidence and finds calm in devotion to Lord Shiva and the chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya”. He views karma as a matter of maintaining integrity and doing good in the present rather than simply accepting fate.

Financial independence and the realities of pursuing music

Like many independent artists, Sharma faces the practical challenges of sustaining a creative career while navigating conventional expectations about financial security, career stability and marriage.

He finances his music recordings through live performances at cafés, demonstrating his commitment to building a career without depending entirely on major record labels. His debut single reportedly crossed one million streams across music platforms organically, without paid promotion.

For Sharma, the idea of being “Still Human” means acknowledging insecurity, accepting difficult phases and focusing on discipline and hard work rather than being preoccupied with fame.

His journey highlights the uncertainties involved in pursuing an independent creative career, while illustrating how self-belief, patience and consistent effort can help artists find their own direction.

The conversation offers a glimpse into the experiences of a musician building his identity from Bir, showing that the pursuit of artistic freedom also requires responsibility, perseverance and a willingness to confront personal limitations.

( With inputs from Still Human )