Aart Verrips

ACTIVISM

Pop Artist Ananya Releases New Single ‘Happy’ for World Mental Health Day

Ananya is a pop singer, multi-instrumentalist, and mental health advocate. Her latest single, Happy, combines her captivating voice with a powerful partnership, marking a significant moment in both her career and her ongoing mental health advocacy.
Aart Verrips

Ananya is a pop singer, multi-instrumentalist, and mental health advocate. Her latest single, Happy, combines her captivating voice with a powerful partnership, marking a significant moment in both her career and her ongoing mental health advocacy.

As the music industry continues to evolve, so does pop artist Ananya. A multidimensional artist and designer, she tells stories through her songs. The rising Zimbabwean pop star is also a passionate mental health advocate, infusing her work with a mission to raise awareness. In line with this goal, her new single “Happy” will release on October 10, coinciding with World Mental Health Day.

“Most of the time, I call on my own experiences and find myself going back through my journal to fully digest a situation. In the beginning, it feels like I’ve ripped off a bandaid, but once I’ve spent enough time reflecting, it’s as if that chapter closes naturally, and I never revisit it. To heal a wound, you have to stop touching it!” Ananya explained during our interview, reflecting on her personal mental health journey.

While “Happy” is an exciting release for her career, the song also represents a state of vulnerability and honesty. When asked about embracing that vulnerability, Ananya shared, “I think different things work for different people. Being vulnerable in songwriting has been scary for me in the past sometimes it still is. What’s helped me is making an effort to be completely truthful and honest about what’s happening internally.

"Mental health has always been close to my heart because it touches all of us in one way or another. It deserves the same attention and care that we give to our physical well-being,” says Ananya. “Releasing "Happy" on World Mental Health Day holds a deep personal meaning for me. It's a reminder that even in our brightest, happiest moments, it’s okay to acknowledge the struggles beneath the surface. What matters is that we’re still moving forward, still healing, and that, in itself, is a victory."

"Happy" combines clean beats with an upbeat sound, offering a nostalgic tune that captures the battle of self-reflection, even during tough life decisions. While Ananya wrestles with her own emotions and external challenges, the song reveals her realization that others' actions and perceptions are reflective of them, not herself. It’s the perfect addition to your moody fall playlist, embodying the balance of life’s highs and lows.

As for what she wishes fans and listeners to take from her latest single, Ananya stated, "Asking for help is a sign of strength, and spreading kindness is essential." 

Watch the official music video for "Happy" below.
Nani Wellness

Beyond music, the “Happy” singer has ventured into mental health advocacy, further solidifying her commitment with a recent partnership with Nani Wellness. This online platform offers virtual therapy sessions and resources to young Zimbabweans, where public spending on mental health is just $0.13 per capita. With this partnership, Ananya is amplifying mental health awareness on a much larger scale.

“Mental health has always been close to my heart because it touches all of us in one way or another. It deserves the same attention and care that we give to our physical well-being,” says Ananya. “Releasing “Happy” on World Mental Health Day holds a deep personal meaning for me. It’s a reminder that even in our brightest, happiest moments, it’s okay to acknowledge the struggles beneath the surface. What matters is that we’re still moving forward, still healing, and that, in itself, is a victory.”

“Happy” combines clean beats with an upbeat sound, offering a nostalgic tune that captures the battle of self-reflection, even during tough life decisions. While Ananya wrestles with her own emotions and external challenges, the song reveals her realization that others’ actions and perceptions are reflective of them, not herself. It’s the perfect addition to your moody fall playlist, embodying the balance of life’s highs and lows.

As for what she wishes fans and listeners to take from her latest single, Ananya stated, “Asking for help is a sign of strength, and spreading kindness is essential.”

Watch the official music video for “Happy” below.