How this vocal powerhouse from Mizoram went from superfan to lead singer

Chalthanzawna ‘Chali’ Fanu’s earliest memory of music is singing Cat Steven’s 'Moonshadow', often described as the British singer-songwriter’s most optimistic anthem. Barely eight at the time, she was possibly too young to understand the song’s underlying message of finding the good in every situation. Decades later, she has realised how integral that message is to her music and life philosophy. “In blues tradition, we don’t shy away from pain or dysfunction. Instead, we try to transform it into a thing of beauty that heals,” explains the 32-year-old lead singer of the band, Evenflow.

Last summer, the band was invited for a gig in Shillong, Meghalaya, by the renowned blues vocalist Tipriti Kharbangar aka Lil Mama Tips. In the days leading up to the show, Chali was so unwell that she reckoned she would have to back out. On the day of the performance, she wrapped a beautiful white Naga shawl to stay warm. And then, she sang Bob Dylan’s 'Everything is Broken'. “When I sing that song, it feels like an honest reflection of the human condition while also being a liberating release. It’s very much in line with the blues philosophy of finding beauty and truth in life’s struggles. It reminds me that recognising what is broken is the first step towards healing.” A Reel of the performance posted by Kharbangar has been viewed over 2.9 million times, and was picked up by various online media outlets.

Though she was tagged on the post, it took Chali a few days to catch up: “My phone was constantly pinging, so I checked my account only to find that I, suddenly, had a lot of new followers. This is a track that the band and I have performed at many venues over the years, but I think the energy and authenticity of that performance somehow Chalthanzawna Fanu resonated with people online.” In the months since, they have performed around India and even played their first international gig.

Musical roots

Chali grew up in Aizawl, Mizoram, where her father introduced her to an incredible array of music, especially the blues. “My dad was a singer, writer, and composer. Every day, he’d play the guitar and sing for me. There were even songs that he’d translate for me in Mizo,” she says. It helped that she was an absolute sponge when it came to music: “Every day, I’d come back from school and start tinkering on the guitar. I taught myself by ear, and then by watching YouTube videos.”

She was barely a teen when a home video of her singing Ben E King’s 'Stand By Me' went viral in Aizawl. That led to Chali’s first-ever public performance with a Mizo super band, Laikai Rock, at age 15. As she sang Janis Joplin’s 'Me and Bobby McGee' and 'Mary Jane' on that makeshift stage, something clicked into place. “Blues wasn’t just something that I sang, but it was intrinsic to my being,” she says. It was around the same time that her father introduced her to another band—hyperlocal, this time—that would have a huge impact on her. “Evenflow was a church gospel band that was formed in 2008. When they started getting gigs outside the church, they started doing classic rock and country, but always with a touch of blues. I was completely captivated from the first time I heard them perform.” Evenflow eventually invited their superfan to join the band in 2016 as their lead vocalist.

Crafting and identity

The vocalist approaches her music with a sense of reverence and maturity beyond her years. While the blues have their origin in African-American culture, Chali believes her Mizo identity brings a certain authenticity to how she approaches music. “When I perform, I am not just challenging the Blues traditions of America, but also carrying the musical spirit of my homeland and the experiences of growing up in the Northeast,” she explains. This is also reflected in the textiles and ornaments from the Northeast that Chali wears on stage, whether it’s the Mizo Puan (a handwoven, wrap-around skirt), a Khasi shawl, or a beaded Naga necklace. “I feel like I represent my state and the Northeast at large.” A part of that unique identity also comes from being in a band that has its members having lived all their lives in the same place—Chanmari, Aizawl—a neighbourhood that doesn’t just love their music but turns up in solidarity for every performance. And while Chali is the baby of the band, and refers to her much-older bandmates as ‘uncles’, the age gap has never really been a problem. Apart from Chali, Evenflow comprises rhythm guitarist Victor Sailo, guitarist and producer Ephraim Malsawma, bassist Kima Khawlhring, and drummer percussionist Eric Chenkual.

The turning point for the band came in 2024, when Kharbangar invited them to perform with her at the Mahindra Blues Festival in Mumbai. “We finally found an audience that truly loved the blues.” Their performances are a reflection of a spectrum of musical influences, from Jim Croce and Buddy Guy to Mark Knopfler and Joey Tempest; all with a touch of the blues. She might be an old soul, but like most millennials, Chali believes in the power of manifestation. High on her list is opening for blues stalwart Buddy Guy and playing at global events like Byron Bay Bluesfest and the Chicago Blues Festival.

Images: Dindini Tochhawng and Maroa Chawngthu

This article originally appeared in Cosmopolitan India's March-April 2026 print issue. Also read: 

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