Jharsuguda District, Odisha — In the heart of Western Odisha, where folk traditions and cultural expressions run deep, one man quietly transformed the future of Sambalpuri music in the digital age. Manoj Singh, Founder of the YouTube platform “Everything For You,” stands today as a pioneering force who helped revive and modernize Sambalpuri music videos when the regional industry was facing one of its darkest phases.
Born into an artistically inclined family, with his father being an artist himself, Manoj Singh’s exposure to creativity began at an early age. Art was not merely a hobby for him—it was a way of life. After completing his 10th standard, Manoj made a bold decision that went against conventional career paths. Instead of choosing a predictable route, he stepped directly into the artistic field, driven by passion and purpose.
What sets Manoj Singh apart is his rare balance of creativity and technical knowledge. Alongside his artistic journey, he completed a Civil Diploma and developed professional skills in Computer Networking and Hardware. This technical foundation later played a crucial role in helping him understand and adapt to the emerging digital ecosystem, especially when regional music was transitioning from physical media to online platforms.
Manoj began his professional journey as a choreographer and dance teacher. He led a dedicated dance group and trained nearly 30 to 40 students, preparing them for dance competitions, stage shows, and music albums. These years of hands-on experience shaped his deep understanding of performance, rhythm, expression, and storytelling—skills that eventually became the backbone of his work as a music video director.
Initially, Manoj aimed to grow within the Sambalpuri industry as a choreographer. However, around 2010, the regional music scene faced a severe crisis. Piracy, combined with the rapid decline of CDs and cassettes, brought production almost to a halt. At that time, Odisha had very few active directors, and Western Odisha lacked any professional digital platform to showcase its music and talent.
Rather than stepping back, Manoj Singh stepped forward with vision and courage. He founded “Everything For You,” which went on to become Western Odisha’s first and biggest professional YouTube channel dedicated to Sambalpuri music. At a time when digital media was still unfamiliar territory in the region, this initiative proved revolutionary. It not only revived creative opportunities for artists but also created a sustainable digital platform for Sambalpuri culture to reach wider audiences.
As a director, Manoj Singh follows a clear philosophy—modernization should never come at the cost of cultural identity. Every project he undertakes is designed to enhance visual quality while preserving the soul of Sambalpuri traditions. He believes that culture is not a limitation but a strength that must be respected and celebrated through responsible storytelling.
Looking to the future, Manoj has consciously chosen to break away from repetitive romantic themes that dominate contemporary music. His upcoming projects are focused on meaningful, unconventional subjects that challenge norms. He openly accepts that such work may receive mixed reactions, but for him, creative honesty matters more than playing safe.
One of his most emotionally close projects remains the song “Ek Number,” where he took on the dual responsibility of director and lead actor. When he couldn’t find an artist capable of portraying the required emotional depth, he stepped into the role himself. The experience of embodying the character made the project deeply personal and memorable.
Manoj Singh firmly believes that a director must be technically complete. According to him, true direction requires knowledge of choreography, camera techniques, makeup, editing, color grading, and overall visual design. He strongly advises young aspirants to focus on proper training, discipline, and patience rather than shortcuts.
With grassroots experience, technical mastery, and cultural integrity, Manoj Singh continues to shape the future of Sambalpuri music videos—bridging tradition and technology with quiet determination and visionary leadership.
