Sharon Joseph on Voice, Identity, and Owning Her Sound

Sharon Joseph’s life has never followed a single creative lane. Instead, it has unfolded gently, instinctively—one voice leading to another, one story opening the door to the next. Singer, lyricist, radio jockey, author, indie artist, and above all, a mother—each role has arrived not through rigid planning, but through lived experience, quiet courage, and an unwavering commitment to honesty.

Her relationship with music began almost before memory could form. Singing since the age of three, Sharon grew up with the stage as a familiar companion. Born, raised, and settled in Pune, she found confidence early through live performances, learning how to hold an audience long before she understood what a career meant. At just ten years old, she recorded her first gospel album in Malayalam—her first brush with a professional studio, and a moment that quietly planted the seeds for everything to come. Back then, music was not ambition or strategy; it was simply life.

Playback singing entered her world twelve years ago, unexpectedly and almost effortlessly. Composer Mejo Joseph, a friend and brother in spirit, heard something different in her voice—something husky, deep, and far from the conventional female texture the industry often favoured. Where others hesitated, he trusted that difference. That faith led to Sharon’s first playback song for the film Hangover, setting her on a path that would later include several niche films and, eventually, a defining moment with the Mohanlal-starrer Oppam.

That film marked more than professional growth—it marked expansion. Oppam became her debut not just as a playback singer, but also as a lyricist. Long before that moment, filmmaker Jis Joy had been quietly nurturing her writing, involving her in ad films, jingles, and advertising scripts, encouraging her to translate and write in Hindi and English. By the time Oppam arrived, Sharon was ready. She penned a song that blended Punjabi and Hindi and sang alongside the ensemble. The song became a super hit, reaffirming her belief that writing was not a side skill, but an essential part of her voice.

Moments of quiet wonder continued to follow. Singing a duet with Karthik for Vijay Superum Pournamiyum—one of her most cherished experiences—felt surreal, a dream she had never consciously allowed herself to imagine. Writing an entire Hindi Sufi song for the Malayalam film Innu Muthal, sung by Javed Ali, brought another deeply humbling high. His personal appreciation of her lyrics remains one of the most validating moments of her journey.

Radio, too, found its way into her life through irony. Years ago, Sharon had auditioned for radio in Pune and been rejected because of her voice. Today, that very voice carries a Hindi and English show every Tuesday night from 9 to 11 on Sargakshetra 89.6 FM. Given confidence and space by station director Fr. Cijo Chennadn CMI—fondly known as RJ Father—radio helped her rediscover the power of conversation, of words spoken with intent. It taught her that voices do more than entertain; they heal, connect, and inspire.

Becoming an indie artist was never planned, but it felt inevitable. In a world crowded with covers, Sharon felt a pull toward originals—stories that belonged entirely to her. Writing in Hindi and English, she released her first original song, Tum Maa, as a birthday gift for her mother. Her latest English original, The Ache of You, followed soon after, carrying her emotional signature into a wider world.

At the centre of everything she does is her eight-year-old daughter. Motherhood, for Sharon, is not just a role—it is her purpose. It grounds her, fuels her, and reminds her why growth matters. She wants her daughter to see effort, curiosity, and courage in action—to understand that learning never ends, and that it is okay to still be figuring things out. In many ways, Sharon is not just building a creative life; she is quietly shaping an artist in the making, right beside her.

The journey, however, has never been free of struggle. For years, her voice—the very thing that defines her—was also her greatest challenge. Too deep. Too husky. Too different. As a child and later in competitions, criticism often overshadowed achievement. Even victories were sometimes followed by ridicule, slowly eroding her confidence. She loved music, but began to fear that the world did not have space for someone like her.

That changed when Mejo Joseph helped her see the truth: her voice was not meant for everything, but it was perfect for something special. Instead of forcing herself into a mould, Sharon learned to choose work that aligned with her strengths. Over time, others in the industry echoed that belief, recognising the individuality and emotional depth in her delivery—especially her natural ease with English music, free of forced accents, yet deeply authentic.

Writing brought its own battles. As a South Indian woman writing Indian English lyrics and later fiction, she faced quiet scepticism. Doubts followed her into publishing too, especially when she chose to write horror. During the COVID period, she completed her first supernatural thriller, Terrors of Midnight. Rejections came, often rooted in preconceived ideas rather than the story itself. It was mentor and publisher Suhail Mathur of The Book Bakers who believed in her work and gave it life—changing everything.

Looking back, Sharon sees a clear pattern: rejection never stopped her; it shaped her. Every setback refined her voice, every struggle deepened her empathy. She remains deeply grateful to the people who believed in her when she struggled to believe in herself, and to the faith that carried her forward.

Today, her milestones are not measured only by scale, but by meaning—lyrics in a Priyadarshan film starring Mohanlal, words sung by Javed Ali, a duet with Karthik, the publication of her first novel, and above all, motherhood. Each achievement has taught her humility, gratitude, and the value of staying true.

Her future is rooted in intention. Sharon wants to invest more deeply in original music—songs she writes and sings herself, stories told without filters or trends. As a writer, she is working on a young adult fantasy thriller series, hoping to spark imagination and nurture a love for reading among young minds. Beyond projects and plans, her goal is simple yet profound: to keep creating with sincerity.

Through music, words, and conversation, Sharon Joseph hopes to leave behind work that lingers quietly—stories and songs that stay, that comfort, that inspire belief. Grounded, grateful, and ever-evolving, she continues forward, trusting that as long as she honours her voice, the journey will keep unfolding, just as it always has.