At 70 years old, Nira Amba is not your typical YouTuber. With a life enriched by melodies and a heritage steeped in musical tradition, Amba recently launched his YouTube channel, MusicByNira, as a platform to share the extensive catalog of music he has composed over the past four decades.
Born into a household where music was a daily ritual, thanks to his father’s passion for singing ballads from the ’50s and ’60s, Amba’s own foray into sound began at the tender age of 11 with a heavy electric guitar that he could only play while sitting down. It wasn’t long before he began crafting his own songs, spurred by the constant musical ambiance at home. Throughout his university years, Amba not only pursued his studies but also indulged in his passion for music by joining a band, where he was the primary songwriter and guitarist. However, after university, the band dissolved, and Amba shifted his focus from performing to composing and writing music.
For many years, Amba balanced his life as a business consultant with his true calling as a songwriter and composer. He managed to run ‘Dalishni Music’, a personal publishing company and online store that showcased his musical creations in the 1980s and 90s. The site was eventually discontinued, but not Amba’s dedication to his art.
Today, Amba’s YouTube channel features over 70 compositions that span a wide array of genres—from blues and folk to soul, old-style R&B, disco, rock, pop, and even some country-style songs. Born in Sri Lanka and having moved to the UK at the age of three, Eastern music naturally became a part of Amba’s musical identity. He describes his music as eclectic and impossible to categorize, offering everything from relaxing melodies to dance-worthy tunes. His particular interest lies in what he calls East-West Fusion: a blend of Eastern rhythms and instruments with Western melodies, reflecting his unique cultural heritage.
What makes Amba’s music distinctive is his approach to songwriting and composing, which he views as an unending passion rather than a commercial venture. His compositions, which he considers demo tracks, reflect his diverse musical influences that range from classical music to pop and disco, citing the music itself—not specific artists—as his inspiration.
Amba’s YouTube channel, MusicByNira, is not just a collection of songs but a gateway into his musical legacy, offering listeners around the world a chance to experience his lifelong passion for music. With over a thousand subscribers and growing, the channel serves as Amba’s new digital stage, where he hopes to connect with a wider audience and perhaps inspire other artists to reinterpret his compositions into full-fledged releases.
Currently residing in a small flat in Nottingham, UK, Amba has set up a modest studio where he remixes tracks for his YouTube channel. Although he faces a few challenges in recording new material due to limited access to his full range of equipment, Amba remains dedicated to his craft. He has no current plans for live performances or releases but is committed to continuing his work as a composer and songwriter.
As Amba embarks on this new chapter at the age of 70, his aspirations are simple yet profound: to see his music reach and resonate with people across the globe, and perhaps, to have his tracks recognized and transformed by inspired musicians. His YouTube channel not only serves as a testament to his enduring dedication to music but also stands as an invitation to listeners everywhere to explore and enjoy his life’s work.
