His story is filled with early mornings, family inspiration, sporting achievements, challenges, and strong determination. It shows that passion never fades and only waits for the right moment to shine.
Yassaskaran works as a mechanic because he studied automotive engineering. Even though his shop opens at 10 AM, his day begins much earlier. At 3.30 AM, he starts his singing practice, which is called Sathagam, during Brahmamuhartham time. His guru encouraged him this early hour because the air is fresh, the mind is calm, and it is the best time to train the voice.
Before the fame, there was the Vanavil Superstar audition. He didn’t get his big break at that moment, but it only fuelled his passion. After countless hours of dedication and passion, he shone brightly on Big Stage Tamil Season 2, securing the title of 1st runner-up.
Music was always in his blood. Finding out his father was a band singer opened a whole new world for him. This discovery changed his life. He clearly remembers the first song he sang with his father “Sangitha Jaathi Mullai.” This duet was the moment that inspired him to love music. It was also the moment when his father noticed his talent. Even today, he still trains to sing that same song perfectly as a tribute to where it all began.
Before singing became a big part of his life, karate shaped his character. While other kids were off playing football or badminton, his parents sent him to learn karate. For most, the black belt was the end goal. He focused on learning and understanding the sport fully. At the same time, he balanced his studies, part-time mechanic work, and karate training. As a result of his dedication, he was able to compete in national tournaments such as Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA). He became a two-time national finalist. One of his most memorable moments was when he defeated an Asian Games champion. Because of this, he was selected to join Majlis Sukan Negara Malaysia (MSN) and trained with the national team for nearly three years.
However, this path was not easy. The allowance he received was low; he could not afford to go to music classes. But even then, he still thought of learning music one day. In 2017, he got the chance to represent Malaysia at the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur. He trained very hard for this opportunity, but just a few months before the game, he suffered an ACL injury. This injury was serious, so he had to withdraw from the SEA Games.
Recovery wasn’t quick. As he grew older, his responsibilities toward his family increased. Because of this, he made the tough decision to walk away the national team. However, he did not let his love for karate disappear. He earned his coaching license and certificate and became a karate coach. Through this, he focused on guiding and training young athletes. He wanted to help the next generation of athletes.
Even during his karate journey, music never left him. When he was younger, he had asked his parents to send him to music classes, but they could not afford it. After finishing his automotive studies and working as a mechanic, he finally had the chance to make that dream come true. He saved part of his salary and used it to pay for his music classes. His daily life followed a simple routine. He practiced singing early in the morning, then worked at the shop, and later continued with his music learning.
When it came time to choose a title for his first song, he wanted something that truly meant something to him. He could have chosen a simple and catchy title like “Machi,” but he wanted a name that is spiritual and meaningful. The title “Nokka Nokka” comes from Kanda Sashti Kavasam, from the line “nokka nokka nodiyil nokka.” This phrase means “eliminate the negative and start a fresh life.” Because of this meaning, the song became very personal to him.
The main theme of “Nokka Nokka” is about moving forward and finding motivation after pain or heartbreak. It reflects what many people face in their daily lives, learning to let go and begin again. For him, this song is more than just singing. It is his way of sharing his belief and his emotional story with others. He also wants to deliver the message through the music video. His hope is that this debut single will become a benchmark for his music career.
Living in the digital age is not always easy, he faces negative comments when he goes live or clip of himself singing. However, he does not let them bring him down. He often says, “Don’t react to bad comments. Just focus on your work.” This is something his guru taught him. He understands how online arguments can get out of control. That is why he chooses to ignore the negativity and continue working on his passion. This attitude has helped him grow stronger day by day.
Patience is a virtue, and his story is proof of that. After facing an ACL injury that threatened his SEA Games aspirations, he chose to fight back instead of giving up. But instead, he took on the responsibility of supporting his family and still held on to his passion. He also encourages young people to keep a balance in life. “Studies and sports are both crucial. Don’t focus only on one thing,” he says. In his journey, he also faced politics, favouritism, and even abuse. But none of these made him give up. He was inspired by Jeeva, a film that shows the real struggles faced by talented individuals. Because of this, he built a strong mindset to face his own challenges, move at his own pace, and believe in himself.
Today, He sees “Nokka Nokka” as only the beginning. He wants to release more songs that mix traditional with modern music, a classical fusion inspired by Hariharan and Shankar Mahadevan. “This is just the beginning,” he says with hope. “I want to create songs that carry meaning, songs that touch people’s hearts.”
Yassaskaran Balakrishnan’s journey is a beautiful blend of early mornings, intense workshops, and karate competitions. Every moment is a step towards his dreams, proving that patience and heart pave the way to success.