- 21 June, 2025
June 21, 2025
As the world celebrates the universal language of melody today on the occasion of World Music Day, we shine a light on an artist whose music isn’t just heard—it’s prayed. From the quiet pews of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Malad, Mumbai, to the global stage alongside Bollywood’s finest, self-taught guitarist and music producer Nyzel D’Lima has built a career rooted in worship, excellence, and a purpose far greater than fame.
With over 18 years in the music industry, he has composed and performed gospel music while also lending his talent as a guitarist to some of the most prominent names in Bollywood's music scene.
A Childhood Immersed in Music
Born and raised in Mumbai, Nyzel hails from the vibrant East Indian Catholic community. With grandparents and relatives deeply entrenched in church music—conducting, arranging, and teaching—Nyzel grew up in an environment where worship and melody were intertwined.
Nyzel started to teach himself to play the guitar when he was 10 years old. He gradually started learning to play bass, drums, and keyboards as well. His love for music blossomed in the pews of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Orlem, Malad, where he played for local prayer groups and at high Masses.
Venturing into Gospel Music
It wasn’t long before Nyzel became a key part of youth and prayer groups through the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement. “That’s really where my gospel music journey began,” he reflects. “I was just 15 or 16.”
While actively serving through music at church, with the Living Waters prayer group, and the Gospel band By Grace, Nyzel was also a regular on Mumbai’s live music circuit. He performed in local rock, jazz, and pop clubs with various cover bands across genres for nearly a decade. But in 2005, everything changed. “I felt called to devote my talents solely to the Lord,” he explains, marking a decisive shift in both his music and mission.
That’s when he ventured into audio engineering, music production, and composition—first with 'By Grace Studios' and now with 'NYZ Music', a studio and production house fully dedicated to gospel music.
How His Passion for Worship Music Opened Doors to Bollywood
Ironically, it was Nyzel’s work in gospel music that paved the way for his entry into mainstream Bollywood.
“Growing up with strong English and Western musical influences, I was actually quite unfamiliar with Hindi and Bollywood music,” Nyzel admits. "But after getting married, there was a dual need—to continue ministering through music and also be financially stable."
It was then that God opened unexpected doors for Nyzel through fellow Catholic artists such as Shon Pinto, Clinton Cerejo, and Suzanne D’Mello. They introduced him to several music composers in the Hindi film industry. These connections eventually led to Nyzel getting his first big break with Coke Studio India in 2010.
From there, doors opened quickly for Nyzel. He went on to perform with several industry heavyweights, including Leslie Lewis, Salim–Sulaiman, Sunidhi Chauhan, Amit Trivedi, Vishal–Shekhar, and Diljit Dosanjh. Having toured extensively with various Bollywood artists across the globe, Nyzel credits his faith as the anchor that has kept him grounded through it all.
However, despite all the fame and success he has achieved in Bollywood, Nyzel continues to nurture his passion for sacred and gospel music. He has performed at numerous Catholic youth conventions both in India and abroad and continues to serve at his home parish, Our Lady of Lourdes, Orlem, Malad.
A Life Anchored in Prayer and Divine Encounters
Speaking about his prayer life, Nyzel shares that he prays daily and has a deep, unwavering belief in God. “I’ve experienced miracles since childhood—just by praying the rosary, attending Mass, saying the Infant Jesus Novena, or simply talking to God,” he says.
His Message to Aspiring Faith-Based Musicians
On this World Music Day, Nyzel’s message to aspiring faith-based artists is clear and powerful:
“Glorifying God through your talent is a great blessing. Always strive to be worthy, spiritually and practically."
Despite having performed on some of the world’s biggest stages, he says that nothing ever compares to being on a stage where he can bear witness to Christ through his music. "The Holy Mass is the highest platform a musician can be a part of,” he says.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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