Mumbai/Balasore, Jul 27: Fresh from her historic victory in 'Indian Idol 16', Odisha's talented singer Jyotirmayee Nayak has spoken about the transformative journey that not only shaped her career but also helped her evolve as an artist and an individual.

The Balasore-born singer said the reality show pushed her beyond her comfort zone and enabled her to explore new dimensions of her musical abilities. Having previously won the title of 'Odiya Superstar', Jyotirmayee said that triumphing on the national stage has been a defining moment in her life.

"Winning Indian Idol has changed me tremendously. Earlier, I mostly sang songs by legendary singers Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. During the competition, I learned voice modulation and experimented with different singing styles. In the finale, I performed with a completely different vocal texture, which became one of the highlights of my performance," she said.

Recalling a memorable compliment from the judges, Jyotirmayee revealed that playback singer Shreya Ghoshal praised her performance of 'Gazar Ne Kiya Hai Ishaara'. According to her, Shreya appreciated the courage to choose such a challenging style for the finale and successfully adapt her voice to suit the song.

Speaking about the emotional moment of lifting the winner's trophy, Jyotirmayee reflected on the struggles she overcame during her journey. She recalled battling a severe throat ailment that once left her unable to sing. "My journey has been full of ups and downs. From a phase where I couldn't sing due to a serious throat problem to standing on the finale stage and winning the trophy—it feels unbelievable," she said.

She added that her focus throughout the competition was to deliver her best performance rather than think about the outcome. "Even after my name was announced as the winner, it took time for me to believe it. I had always visualized this moment and kept telling myself that I would win with complete positivity and faith. Today, that dream has finally come true," she said.

Jyotirmayee Nayak hails from Baunsanal village in Nilgiri block of Balasore district, Odisha. Besides being a popular playback singer in the Odia music industry, she is also a trained music therapist who works with cancer patients and expectant mothers, making her victory an inspiration both on and off the stage.