ZTISH Urges Young Musicians To Find Their Own Voice

By V. Sankara

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (Bernama) -- In an industry increasingly shaped by viral trends and social media algorithms, Malaysian composer and producer Satish Raj Kunasangaran believes aspiring musicians should focus on finding their own voice rather than imitating others or chasing short-term success.

“Most importantly, stay authentic and develop your own musical identity rather than trying to imitate others,” he told Bernama after the recent launch of 7 Raaga Records & Music Academy and ZTISH Studios in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, officiated by MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.

The 33-year-old musician, better known as ZTISH, has built a reputation as one of Malaysia's most recognised Tamil music composers and producers, with a career spanning music composition, production, songwriting, education and talent development.

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One of the defining milestones of his career was Ennai Kollathey, a song from the Malaysian Tamil feature film Geethaiyin Raadhai, which has surpassed 171 million views on YouTube, making it one of the most successful Malaysian Tamil songs ever produced.

“Ennai Kollathey was created from a genuine place of emotion and sincerity. I believe its success came from the fact that it touched universal feelings of love, heartbreak, longing, and human connection,” he said.

The song's success helped showcase the growing reach of Malaysian Tamil music, which he said has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades. Once considered a niche segment, the industry has evolved into a vibrant creative ecosystem, with its music now reaching audiences across India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Europe and beyond through digital platforms.

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Born in Klang and raised in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, ZTISH credits his parents for playing a pivotal role in his musical journey, providing encouragement and support during the formative years of his career.

His passion for music began at an early age when he would create melodies during daily school bus rides, unaware that those childhood moments would eventually shape his future as a composer.

After completing his secondary education at SMK Seri Serdang, he pursued both a diploma and degree at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, where he was a member of the 1Malaysia Choir and later co-founded Yuva Band with fellow musicians.

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Before becoming a full-time composer, he worked as a sound engineer, handling voice-over recordings, dubbing sessions and audio production work, experiences that provided him with a strong technical foundation in music production.

His breakthrough came when he was invited to compose the background score for a short film that went on to win first prize, giving him the confidence to pursue composition professionally.

That opportunity eventually led to another major milestone when he was entrusted with composing music for the Malaysian Tamil feature film Geethaiyin Raadhai while still a university student. 

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Reflecting on the experience, ZTISH said composing for film taught him the importance of collaboration, patience and storytelling.

“Music in film should not only be heard; it should be felt,” he said.

 Today, through 7 Raaga Records & Music Academy and ZTISH Studios in Seri Kembangan, which he co-runs with his wife, Sinthujashre Parimalam, a gold medallist in Carnatic vocal music, he continues to mentor aspiring musicians and nurture emerging talent while contributing to the growth and global recognition of Malaysian Tamil music.

-- BERNAMA