(July 2, 2023) During the recent State Visit of PM Modi when Indian-American teen Riya Pawar sang the US national anthem at the Ronald Reagan Centre in Washington DC, the spectators were mesmerised. So was the prime minister of India who blessed her with his appreciation. Speaking about the experience, Riya said, “It was an honour to sing the nation’s anthem in such a prestigious setting, surrounded by individuals who are dedicated to strengthening the bond between the United States and India. I am immensely grateful for this incredible opportunity.”
For being chosen to be a part of the efforts to bridge the cultural heritage of both the nations, was a big achievement for the multifaceted teen. The 16-year-old from Marlboro, New Jersey is not just good at singing but also in science and has keen interest in the world of pageantry.
This year she emerged a winner at 2023 New Jersey Southern Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (NJSJSHS) for her talents in STEM. In 2021, the multi-talented teen got crowned as Miss Teen New Jersey and emerged one of the top five winners at the Teen USA India, the national competition, which saw participation of young girls from across the country.
Singer in STEM
As a student of Manalapan High School, NJ, the melodious singer is enrolled in the Science and Engineering Magnet Programme. The school conducts the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) – a Department of Defence sponsored STEM programme which is supported by the US Army, Navy, Air Force, and the US Office of the Secretary of Defense, to encourage high school students across US to conduct original research in the STEM fields.
Riya did not just emerge a winner at the 2023 JSHS in her state but also received a National Honourable Mention from the National Center for Women & Information Technology 2023 (NCWIT) in recognition of her academic and extracurricular achievements in the field of computing. “Recipients are selected for their demonstrated interest and achievements in academic aspirations, technical accomplishments, and exceptional leadership skills,” stated her school highlighting her achievement on its website.
Riya Pawar at her school
Over the past year, the singing talent had dedicated herself to the study of cyber security, driven by extensive research papers and current affairs on the rising rates of cybercrime. She successfully designed and developed a system aimed at safeguarding users from the most common cyber-attack. As a result of her outstanding work, Riya was granted a scholarship from the Academy of Applied Sciences, supported by the United States Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Additionally, the teenager was awarded the first prize in the Computer & Technology category by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Greater Monmouth Chapter.
Straddling diverse fields
The Global Indian has been performing as a singer in big events of the diaspora since a tender age. She was the solo child artist in the history at Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) India Day Parade at Madison Avenue, New York City. Whether it is singing at temples or at the Indian Consulate of New York, Riya has enthralled huge audiences with her vocal talent.
The winner of 2018 Asha Bhonsle Karaoke Competition, and 2019 Pandit Jasraj Gaan-Nipun Spardha received the Youth Icon Award at the Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal (BMM) 2022 Convention held in Atlantic City. The accolade acknowledged her exceptional accomplishments in various fields including beauty pageantry, performing arts, extracurricular activities, and academics. “Out of all Marathi teenagers residing in the United States and Canada, I was chosen as the recipient of this esteemed recognition,” she said.
Riya after being crowned Miss India Teen NJ
During the BMM’s opening ceremony, witnessed by an audience of approximately 5,000 individuals, Riya’s outstanding singing abilities stood out among many talented performers. She was selected to render the Canadian and Indian national anthems, showcasing her versatility. Furthermore, in a captivating performance alongside her mentor Hemant Kulkarni, Riya presented a medley of renowned Marathi and Hindustani classical songs, adding depth to the already extensive repertoire.
“Music is like my second personality,” the teenager said, adding” Lata Mangeshkar is my favourite artist and I look up to her as a benchmark of perfection. I also love Shreya Ghoshal’s body of work and get inspired by her.”
Soothing lullabies pave the path of music
Born in New Jersey in 2006, Riya’s musical journey began with her grandmother’s soothing lullabies. From a young age, her grandmother’s melodic voice became an indispensable source of comfort, as Riya would only stop crying when her grandmother resumed singing. This early exposure ignited Riya’s passion for music even before she could utter her first words. Looking at her inclination her parents often played songs for her to listen at home and by the age of three she could sing hundreds of Marathi songs.
When she turned five Riya started taking piano lessons, nurturing her fondness for melodies. At six she also started delving into the world of western singing, honing her skills through dedicated lessons. Three years later, at the age of nine, Riya embarked on the journey of learning Hindustani classical singing under the tutelage of Guru Hemant Kulkarni. A confident stage performer who has a knack for STEM, Riya nurtures dreams to fly high. “I still have a long way to go,” she says.
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