Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveUS-desi teen inventor Neha Shukla explores the metaverse in tech

US-desi teen inventor Neha Shukla explores the metaverse in tech

By: Neha Shukla

US-desi teen inventor Neha Shukla invented sixfeetapart to inculcate social distancing when the pandemic started. The girl whose face graced the Nasdaq screen in Times Square shares her specially curated and written first bi-montly column on innovation as she explores STEM with INNOVATION UNCOVERED

(February 5, 2022) Welcome to the first edition of Innovation Uncovered! I’m Neha Shukla, a teen scientist and inventor passionate about using technology for social change in my community. I invented SixFeetApart, a wearable social-distancing device to slow the spread of COVID-19 among many other innovations. An advocate for youth and girls in innovation, I hope to take you through the latest trends in innovation and technology twice a month, sharing advice for how Indians of all ages can get started with innovation and problem-solving, and exploring my thoughts on the future of education for young people. Let’s get started!

Tech Trends: Exploring the Metaverse

We all have been hearing the buzzword metaverse prominently ever since Facebook rebranded itself to Meta back in October 2021. But what is metaverse? The metaverse is essentially a virtual world where people can interact, work, shop, and so much more. And you could categorise the metaverse into three main categories: virtual reality, augmented reality, and virtual environments. Virtual reality or VR is where you put on a headset and experience an immersive world where you can interact with virtual objects and move around in the virtual world. And with new haptic technologies, you can physically feel virtual objects through sensations and motions from haptic devices.

Teen Inventor | Neha Shukla You might have heard of Meta’s Oculus headset or the affordable Google Cardboard that interfaces with a smartphone. These devices help you step into the virtual world and feel an immersive experience. Augmented reality or AR is where computer-generated objects and 3D graphics are overlaid on top of the physical world. Using a phone camera, you can overlay images of Pokemon GO on the environment around you, or use Snapchat AR lens filters to see 3D graphics overlaid on your face. Virtual worlds are more loosely defined. Many traditional games are considered metaverses, where users can communicate with each other, buy “skins” or clothing for their digital avatars, and so much more. These platforms are entirely digital, where there are entire social networks and economies for virtual products, like clothing or accessories for 3D avatars. Platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, Sandbox, and others are prime examples of these virtual worlds.

**Opportunities in the Metaverse from the US-desi teen inventor**

So what are the opportunities within the metaverse? The metaverse has been used by artists such as Lil Nas X and Ariana Grande for virtual performances watched by millions of young users, as well as by companies like Nike to showcase new products. The benefit of using the metaverse is that large audiences of users can experience a company’s products, without the company worrying about logistics, giving an international audience the ability to experience branding like never before.

The fashion industry is beginning to join the metaverse movement as major companies are starting to display their products and clothing on virtual models. And companies are taking this a step further by offering virtual “skins” or clothing for users’ 3D avatars, and profiting from limited-edition and rare skins. Companies like Vans, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Balenciaga, Gucci, and others are partnering with metaverse platforms and embracing this new wave of virtual worlds and virtual customers.

My thoughts on the future of innovation and education

As a US-desi teen inventor, I see a massive opportunity for education using the metaverse and tools like VR and AR. Companies can use the metaverse to help students communicate with each other during the pandemic and online education, especially to develop social and emotional communication skills. Virtual reality headsets could be a great tool for children with developmental disabilities like ADHD or learning disabilities where they might need some support in learning communication or social-emotional skills. Having a platform where students can interact with 3D avatars, learn social cues, and have positive interactions with peers could be a revolutionary concept to support these students.

Another big opportunity for the metaverse in education is in helping students learn through immersive experiences in subjects like biology or history. Companies can create 3D models of the cell and its membranes or a historical battlefield, where students can use tools like an Oculus Headset or a Google Cardboard to see the inside of the cell in 3D or step into a scene from the Civil War. By using VR and bringing the metaverse into the classroom, we can give students immersive experiences to be able to understand complex concepts.

Advice for Indians starting their innovation journey

Are you a young person excited to begin innovating and working with technologies like VR and AR to create a positive impact on your community? Or are you an adult looking to support your budding young innovator?

As a US-desi teen inventor, my advice to any young person who wants to get involved with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is to find a real-world problem that you’re passionate about solving. This could be anything, from a small problem in your local community to a large global issue. Find a real-world problem you care about, and connect it with your passions and interests to get started today! Maybe you’re passionate about sports like soccer, so you combine your passion with the real-world problem of concussions in sports to create a new helmet to prevent injuries.

Like this, you can start looking for intersections of your interests and real-world problems to begin creating an impact. And I encourage any adults, teachers, or parents out there to say “yes” to any young person who asks for help. Whether it’s providing mentorship for a student every month or simply believing in a student, you have the power to be an inspiration, a mentor, and a guiding force for young people today. So use your experience and wisdom to help nurture a young innovator, because who knows – they might end up creating life-saving innovations one day! And if you’re an organisation looking to engage students in innovation and problem-solving, I run free global innovation and STEM workshops for students K-12 and have impacted over 52,000 students to date. So feel free to sign up for a workshop from your school or organisation, where I’ll share my simple three-step innovation framework for students and go through live interactive innovation activities.

(The writer is a Global Teen Leader 2021, has won the Diana Award and the National Presidential Service Award. Her workshops have impacted over 52,000 students, and her debut book, Innovation for Everyone: Solving Real-World Problems with STEM will be released in the summer of 2022. Follow her at: https://www.neha-shukla.com/)

Name*

Email*

Name*

Email*

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Published on 05, Feb 2022

Share with

ALSO READ

Charanjot Singh: Meet the first Indian to qualify for the FC Pro 24 World Championship

(July 26, 2024) A 23-year-old from Chandigarh, who is a rising star in Indian esports, has scripted history by becoming the first Indian to qualify for the FC Pro 24 World Championship. In a thrilling play-in match, Charanjot Singh emerged victorious with a 5-4 scoreline against “JP Sleator,” securing his place among the top 32 players in the world. This achievement followed his impressive third-place finish in Gathering D, solidifying his spot in the main competition. The FC Pro World Championship 24 stands as the pinnacle of eFIFA competition, hosted in Berlin, Germany, with an impressive $1,000,000 prize pool. Charanjot’s historic qualification marks a monumental moment for Indian esports, yet his journey is far from over. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charanjot Singh (@charanjot12) His love for esports began with casual gaming at his friend’s place during weekends, while growing up in Chandigarh. “I did not have a console at that time. I used to play during my summer vacations or in weekends,” said the boy who loved Fortnite, Call of Duty among other games. But it was FIFA that he like the most owing to his love for football. He remembers watching 2010

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Charanjot Singh (@charanjot12)

His love for esports began with casual gaming at his friend’s place during weekends, while growing up in Chandigarh. “I did not have a console at that time. I used to play during my summer vacations or in weekends,” said the boy who loved Fortnite, Call of Duty among other games. But it was FIFA that he like the most owing to his love for football. He remembers watching 2010 FIFA World Cup as a seven year old, and was instantly hooked. However, things took a serious turn in 2019 when he participated in his first esports competition in Chandigarh. “That was the start of my competitive chapter in e-sports,” he said in an interview.

He cultivated his passion for FIFA through local tournaments, where his skill and dedication eventually propelled him to the forefront of Indian esports. “During the lockdown, I began playing professionally for the first time. In 2020, I signed my first eSports contract,” he added. Two years later, he represented Bengaluru FC at Indian Super League. But the big break came when he represented India at the 2022 Asian Games held in September 2023 in Hangzhou in China. It was in 2018 that esport was first introduced as a demonstration sport in 2018 in Jakarta and Palembang.

In a short span, Charanjot has become popular in the world of esports with even Korean players recognising him. “The pressure of being the favorite makes me perform better,” he had said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by EA SPORTS FC Pro (@easportsfcpro)

However, it hasn’t been an easy journey for Charanjot who had a hard time finding sponsors since it’s esports and not sports. Since mobile games are quite popular in India, those esports tournaments gather much viewership than FIFA. “That’s because FIFA is a console game. Getting consoles in India is a costly affair. For mobile games you can get any mobile and start playing games but for console games you need to spend ₹40,000-50,000 at least. Then you have to buy games every year. You get sponsors… but you have to really convince them,” said Charanjot, who is BA Final year.

Charanjot, who plays three-four hours every day, focuses on enjoying the game rather than feeling the pressure. “If your opponent is sitting near of next to you, it gets intimidating. But the best players are those who are able to deal with the pressure,” he added.

The young player is glad that e-sports has now found international recognition, and wants more parents to support their kids who aspire to pursue esports. “It is not just being a gamer. You can also consider the content side. If you can create good content then you can sign with the e-sports teams. There is a lot of money in e-sports for sure. But I will not advise you to stop studies and just play e-sports. It is easy and hard money together. If you are winning tournaments then you feel making money is easy. But once you start struggling, it becomes difficult.”

But he does feel that presence of more tournaments such as ESL will have a positive impact as the popularity of FIFA and football has surged, especially with the recent rise of football in India. “However, the growth of the game is still in a learning stage, similar to the dormant stage, and the cost of the console is prohibitive. I believe that it is difficult for people to access FIFA in eSports due to the console’s cost, which is approximately ₹50,000.”

Charanjot will be seen playing it up at FC Pro 24 World Championship in July this year, and is keen to become the best FIFA gamer in the world. “I want to continue playing as long as my body allow me to do so … as one ages the reflexes get slower.” This prestigious event gathers top players worldwide for intense one-on-one virtual football competition. His participation not only highlights his talent on a global stage but also sets a benchmark for Indian esports, inspiring others to pursue international recognition.

Follow Charanjot Singh on Instagram

Shreyas Royal: India-born chess player is UK’s youngest international master

(July 9, 2023) Shreyas Royal was just nine when he made the ceremonial opening move for the Viswanathan Anand-Magnus Carlsen game at London in 2017. This speaks volumes about his genius skills in the game of chess. London-based Indian-origin Shreyas is now 14, and it was in 2022 that he broke the UK record for the youngest ever grandmaster performance when he scored seven points from nine games at the Bavarian Open in Germany. He now aims to in the top 10 in the world or become a world champion by the age of 21. [caption id="attachment_31714" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Shreyas Royal[/caption] Life in London, and discovering chess The Bengaluru-born was still a toddler when he relocated to South-East London in 2012 after his father got a job as an IT project manager in the UK. As young as three, Shreyas was introduced to chess, courtesy his dad Jitendra Singh, who noticed his son's sharp memory and thought that any mind game as a hobby would be great for him for a start. This is how chess happened to Shreyas; however, the chess prodigy wasn't instantly hooked to the game. "It took me some time, but I was curious. I started

p memory and thought that any mind game as a hobby would be great for him for a start. This is how chess happened to Shreyas; however, the chess prodigy wasn't instantly hooked to the game. "It took me some time, but I was curious. I started playing with other children at school, and I started winning. And that got me hooked. And playing chess has also helped me to develop a few other skills, like being more patient and sitting still," he said in an interview.

When Shreyas was six years old, his parents signed him up at a local chess club in East Ham, East London, with a private coach, and his determination helped him win a tournament, thus leading him to become the world’s youngest "candidate master". He even represented England in European Schools Chess Championships in Greece where he bagged a silver. In August 2017, he was ranked joint fourth in his age group at the World Cadets Chess Championships in Brazil. In a short span, he has won multiple awards. So much so that Chris Ward, a chess grandmaster and former British champion, described Shreyas as "the best prospect the country has ever seen".

How Shreyas' talent shaped his family's future

However, things took a difficult turn when in 2018 Shreyas's family was on the verge of packing up bags and returning to India owing to the expiration of his dad's work permit. He was told that visa could be extended only if he earned £120,000 a year, which he did not. However, Home Secretary Sajid Javid intervened and made a personal decision to allow the family to stay in the UK, looking at Shreyas's talent. "The UK is a country that fosters world class talent and Shreyas is one of the most gifted chess players in his generation. We have always been clear we want a world-class immigration system that welcomes highly-talented individuals from across the globe," said Sajid Javid.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shreyas Royal (@royal.shreyas)

The sigh of relief helped him focus back on the game, and he even began home schooling to focus more on the game.

Strategy is key

Before each game, he prepares well before going up against his highly skilled opponents by determining their strengths and weaknesses. "I check to see what openings he has struggled against in the past and also look at some of his statistics, how well he has fared against weaker opponents. Aiming for any type of an advantage with white and equality with black out of the opening are also very vital goals," said the chess prodigy who went on to become the English U7 champion, British U8 champion, U8 European champion.

The teenager, who loves listening to music and watching cricket, has fallen in love in the chess, and it's this fondness that brings him back to the board each time. "It is a very fascinating game in which I feel I have a lot more to learn," he told Olympics.

The 14-year-old chess prodigy of Indian origin, has already etched his name in the archives of chess history. Breaking the UK record for the youngest ever grandmaster performance at the Bavarian Open is just the beginning of his remarkable journey. With unwavering determination, tireless hard work, and an unyielding love for the game, Shreyas has propelled himself to the forefront of the chess world. "For me, it’s not so much about the money, it’s about having fun playing chess. I just enjoy it."

Follow Shreyas Royal on Instagram and his website

Reading Time: 4 min

From Mirzapur to Tinseltown: Abhilasha FNU on a Hollywood sojourn

(Aug 18, 2023) In the year 2020, as the pandemic was about to disrupt the world, a 23-year-old youngster, Abhilasha FNU embarked on her maiden international flight - to Los Angeles, carrying dreams packed within her suitcase. She had secured admission at the prestigious New York Film Academy for a filmmaking course. In just three years, Abhilasha has been able to stand on her own in the film and television world of America. As a script supervisor, her contributions to television projects like ‘At Home with Tori,’ and films like ‘Miracle Before Christmas,’ and ‘I Rise’ have been standouts in her short yet successful career in Hollywood. ‘I Rise’ (2022), has even clinched eight awards at the Christian Online Film Festival, adding a boost to her career. "My most successful script supervisor work is in Big Boys 2023, a LGBTQ based feature narrative which is doing wonders and winning at prestigious festivals worldwide," Abhilasha tells Global Indian. The script supervisor has played a pivotal role in the Spotify-produced series ‘Gold Diggers Hotel,’ collaborating with the American songwriter, singer and record producer, Leon Bridges. She has also been associated with ‘Man in The Long Black Coat,’ a production featuring renowned

d feature narrative which is doing wonders and winning at prestigious festivals worldwide," Abhilasha tells Global Indian.

The script supervisor has played a pivotal role in the Spotify-produced series ‘Gold Diggers Hotel,’ collaborating with the American songwriter, singer and record producer, Leon Bridges. She has also been associated with ‘Man in The Long Black Coat,’ a production featuring renowned American actors like Mark Feuerstein, Neal McDonough, Dermot Mulroney, and Christopher Lloyd.

"I volunteered for various film projects during my initial days as a student of filmmaking, before I started earning in the United States. Being on set, learning the craft, and wrapping up productions have always brought a sense of fulfilment," Abhilasha shared in an interview.

From Mirzapur to the US

Hailing from a traditional North Indian family, her relocation from India to the United States marked a big moment, making her the first woman in her family to undertake both an American journey and an unconventional career path of filmmaking. Her inherent knack for creation, expression, and storytelling had been evident from a tender age, and her family supported her daring choice to tread a unique trajectory.

Challenges in the US

However, her journey was marked by challenges. Mere weeks into her film school programme, the Covid-19 outbreak swept across the globe, forcing classes into the online mode. Like countless international students, Abhilasha grappled with dejection and uncertainty in a foreign land away from home. "We found ourselves in rented apartments, far from home, staring at laptop screens while trying to master a hands-on profession like filmmaking. Initially feeling like an unwelcome break, I soon realised that this setback couldn't deter me," she remarked.

She turned the adversity into a situation of opportunity. The enforced slowdown enabled her to immerse herself in comprehensive reading and research on diverse facets of filmmaking—spanning screenwriting, continuity, filming, editing, and timing.

Lucky breaks amidst the pandemic

During the pandemic she got a chance to direct and write for productions of her college peers. She also took on the role of a Covid compliance officer for some college projects, a novel position within the film realm that required mastering intricate paperwork. As she excelled in this role, she caught the attention of her professors, which eventually led to her first feature film assignment.

This breakthrough served as a gateway to a plethora of subsequent opportunities. Since then, Abhilasha has been part of productions like ‘At home with Tori,’ ‘Leon Bridges – Life from Gold-Diggers Hotel,’ ‘A Miracle before Christmas,’ and numerous other film and television projects, all within a brief three-year timeline of her cinematic journey.

Embracing the role of a script supervisor

Abhilasha loves her job as a script supervisor in Hollywood. She explains, "I gravitated towards the role of a script supervisor due to its inherent blend of pure creativity, observatory skills, and supervision." Her affinity for reading screenplays, coupled with her unique ability to vividly comprehend their essence, helped her perform well. "Drawing on my high emotional intelligence, I can grasp the story's emotions and characters, capturing the nuances of each scene, even when I have read the script once" she added.

As a script supervisor, her responsibilities include script analysis and on-set organization. She shoulders the crucial responsibility of ensuring the seamless alignment of unfolding events with the director's creative vision. This multi-dimensional role demands a perceptive awareness of the overall on-set atmosphere, functioning as an astute observer while offering insights and guidance to both the director and other departments involved.

Her prior experiences as production manager, assistant director, and production designer, for college productions have given her invaluable insights on delivering her best as a script supervisor.

Life before venturing to the US

From an early age, Abhilasha's life was steeped in creativity and the arts. She is a trained dancer and singer and used to love writing and reciting poems during her childhood. As she grew older, her interests gradually gravitated towards the realm of filmmaking. She completed her bachelor's in arts, majoring in clinical psychology, and went on to achieve a master's in journalism and mass communication from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda.

In a visual communication semester, she filmed her first short film on her android phone and simply loved the process and received appreciation from her professors and classmates for her storytelling vision and directorial skills. This motivated her to take up film studies and headed to Los Angeles, California.

In her leisure time, Abhilasha loves painting and takes pride in being an NFT artist.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Abhilasha FNU (@abhikuku)

Follow Abhilasha FNU on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

Reading Time: 5 mins

Music for Nature: Anuv Jain teams up with UN for its ‘Sound Right’ campaign

(May 5, 2024) Ludhiana boy Anuv Jain recently shared one of his latest pictures from New York, standing proudly in front of a billboard showcasing him. “NATURE (music album) is out now on all streaming platforms. I'm thrilled to contribute to the global campaign, ‘Sounds Right’, by United Nations Live! Thank you for inviting me to be a part of this movement. A significant portion of the royalties from this track will support environmental conservation charities,” shared the singer, songwriter and composer. His track Baarishein, featuring the sounds of Indian rains is part of the UN Live album. [caption id="attachment_37591" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Anuv Jain[/caption] The Museum for the United Nations — UN Live, based in Copenhagen, launched its global music initiative, ‘Sounds Right,’ on April 18 this year, just ahead of Earth Day (April 22). The initiative aims to highlight the importance of nature, raise funds for conservation efforts, and inspire millions of music lovers to take action. The ‘Sound Right’ album Nature features a diverse cast of global artists including Anuv Jain, David Bowie x Brian Eno, Ellie Goulding, AURORA, UMI with V of BTS, MØ, London Grammar, Bomba Estéreo, Cosmo Sheldrake, Louis VI, Tom Walker, Aterciopelados, Blinky Bill,

(April 22). The initiative aims to highlight the importance of nature, raise funds for conservation efforts, and inspire millions of music lovers to take action. The ‘Sound Right’ album Nature features a diverse cast of global artists including Anuv Jain, David Bowie x Brian Eno, Ellie Goulding, AURORA, UMI with V of BTS, MØ, London Grammar, Bomba Estéreo, Cosmo Sheldrake, Louis VI, Tom Walker, Aterciopelados, Blinky Bill, Navicula x Endah N Rhesa, and Los Amigos Invisibles.

Available on major streaming platforms, the album has timeless compositions with ocean waves, wind, rainstorms, and birdsongs as prominent features of the background music.

Sounds Right

The website of the Museum for the United Nations-UN Live describes itself as an organization without borders that ignites global empathy, action, and transformation through the influence of popular culture and dialogue.

“By simply listening to music that features sounds of the natural world, fans will help to fund nature conservation and restoration projects in our most precious and precarious ecosystems,” stated a UN press release about the museum’s initiative.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXW_Wa-aAAs

The United Nations further highlighted that the ‘Sounds Right’ initiative “comes at a critical time when wildlife populations have declined by an average 69% in the past 50 years and at least 1.2 million plant and animal species are estimated to be at threat of extinction.” The initiative “looks to flip our extractive relationship with the natural world on its head while recognizing nature’s contribution to the creative industries.”

For the nature-loving musician Anuv, being selected for such a prestigious project was one of the most exciting opportunities of his career. All the artists chosen for the album were selected on the basis of how they have intertwined nature with their music throughout their musical journeys.

Inspired by nature

“A lot of my music is inspired by what’s around me; the sky, the rain, the trees,” Anuv remarked in an interview. Some of his “best work highlights nature as a metaphor to describe beauty.” The independent artist is popular for his acoustic melodies and compositions like Baarishein, Gul, and Alag Aasmaan among others. He expressed excitement about being part of an initiative that would help him to contribute to something that has given him so much – not just music but life itself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLKwRW2y-sg

Life around music

Anuv's earliest memories of making music dates back to his 10th-grade year when he began playing the guitar and also started songwriting.

“I used to write these really emotional English songs. Eventually, my guitar teacher suggested that I should try writing in Hindi and that’s when I made that switch. I’m so glad I got that suggestion because I realized I was pretty good at it,” he shared adding “The lyrics come from all my personal experiences and the stories that I’ve seen unfold in front of me. I take inspiration from my experiences and turn them into a song.”

[caption id="attachment_37594" align="aligncenter" width="1440"] Anuv Jain in one of his packed live performances[/caption]

With time the artist polished his skills and ‘started becoming a better songwriter taking up more complicated themes and stories’. “I’ve been able to fit it into this economy of words, which is a song. I also feel like I’ve become better as a performing artist — I used to get really nervous initially, but now I am much more confident whenever I’m on stage and I enjoy it a lot more than I ever have before,” shared the singer-songwriter who has several single albums to his credit. He loves to perform at live shows to connect with people and has a large fan following on social media.

Follow Anuv Jain on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

Reading Time: 5 mins

Prakrithi Suresh: Harmonising Carnatic Music, Bharatanatyam, and spirituality in UAE

(October 27, 2023) Prakrithi Suresh is a UAE based Carnatic music vocalist and Bharatanatyam danseuse who connects the two forms through devotional perfomances. The Sharjah-based vocalist is a known face in UAE’s musical circuit, with many stage performances to her credit. She successfully conducted a ‘Health Benefit Series’ on her YouTube channel, driven by the belief that traditional Carnatic music holds a treasure trove of wellness advantages. In her quest, she explores the idea that each ragam not only carries unique health benefits but also forges a connection with nature, offering potential solutions to pressing environmental concerns. After wrapping up the series she is working on a ‘Thillana Series’ with the aim to revitalise the energies of listeners. In a harmonious convergence of culture and technology, the International Carnatic Musicians and Dancers Association (ICMDA) headed by Padma Shri A. Kanyakumari conducted an international mega event this year. Ten different world records were attempted at the event, which saw the participation of nearly 10,000 musicians and dancers from across the world. They performed the iconic ‘Aigiri Nandini’ at the same time both online and offline in live centers in different countries. [caption id="attachment_33767" align="aligncenter" width="522"] Prakrithi Suresh with ICMDA certificates and

different countries.

[caption id="attachment_33767" align="aligncenter" width="522"] Prakrithi Suresh with ICMDA certificates and medal[/caption]

While musicians and dancers from different corners of the globe united in a symphony of devotion, to ensure the accuracy the event's live videos and performances underwent meticulous scrutiny by the organising body. “Only two people received their certificates from the UAE and I was one of them,” Prakrithi tells Global Indian.

This festive season, Prakrithi has been actively engaging and captivating Carnatic music enthusiasts and the spiritually-inclined alike with her mesmerising performances.

Music in blood

When Prakrithi was barely two years old, her parents were overjoyed to hear her humming the Carnatic song she had heard her father practice. Carnatic music had been in her family for generations, starting with her paternal grandfather. They were trained vocalists although none had pursued it as a career. Prakrithi’s hereditary inclinations were celebrated and encouraged by her parents and when she was three-and-a-half years old, she began her training.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MANoFb__70Q

Not only is she a gifted singer, she is also a talented Bharatanatyam dancer who has been training under the best gurus in UAE since she was four. While there are invitations for conferences and participation in music fests round the year, Prakrithi connects her gift of singing and dancing with spirituality. “I sing and dance just for the spiritual connection. My sole goal is to spread divinity, and to make everybody realise that it’s the ultimate supreme that all of us has to surrender to,” the young artist remarks.

“My parents have been very supportive and have never pressurised me about academics,” remarks Prakrithi, crediting them for her achievements so far.

Making a name

At the UAE’s national Margazhi fest 2019, Prakrithi bagged the overall champion award for excelling in all six categories of Carnatic vocal competitions. In 2020 she came second in an International Carnatic dance and music competition, which saw participation from around the world.

[caption id="attachment_27735" align="aligncenter" width="623"] Prakrithi Suresh with childrens’ book author Elisabetta Dami[/caption]

She has also received the Geronimo Stilton Foundation’s medallion from its founder, the childrens’ book author Elisabetta Dami, at the Sharjah International Book Fair, for upholding the legacy of Indian traditional art forms even while living abroad.

The musical journey

Having begun her Carnatic vocal training as a toddler, the teenager is grateful to have trained under some of the best gurus in India and the UAE. She started learning formally from her guru, Palakkad Rajesh Kesav, and went on to learn from Dr Amruta Sankaranarayanan, who is the daughter and disciple of Padma Bhusan, Sangeetha Kalanithi T V Sankaranarayanan.

The sixteen-year-old is now receiving advanced training from Dr Maithili Krishnan, professor of music, SRC College Trichy. As they are in different countries, the guru and shishya connect with each other online.

The talented disciple is also a teacher to two four-year-old pupils who have started learning Carnatic vocals from her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFJc8fhVYJw

The teen vocalist’s portfolio comprises an impressive collection of music videos on her YouTube channel. The aesthetically-shot videos have been shot by her musically-inclined engineer father.

“I do not have any motive of earning money from my performances, nor do I want to spend money on creating music videos and that’s why my father films them,” she says. Her innocent smile hides great maturity.

Prakrithi’s mother, who worked as a scientist before her daughter was born, has played a great role in evoking the sense of divinity in Carnatic vocal and Bharatanatyam for the teenager. “I am spiritually inclined and do not perform for fame,” she says, adding, “It’s my mother who tells me how I can do better if I am spiritually connected to my art.”

[caption id="attachment_33768" align="aligncenter" width="954"] Prakrithi Suresh during one of her stage performances[/caption]

The path of Bharatanatyam

Whether it is Carnatic music or Bharatanatyam, Prakrithi finds tranquillity and peace in both. While Carnatic music is a way of seeking enlightenment, Bharatanatyam is sadhana for her.

“Bharatanatyam is like uniting the soul with the absolute soul,” she says, adding, “Coming from a spiritual country like India, where the realisation of consciousness or spirit has been the supreme goal of life, it is no wonder that the oldest dance form of the country, Bharatanatyam is nothing but a form of Sadhana.”

Prakrithi had started basic training of the dance form in 2013 under her guru Sahadevan of Kalakshetra, Sharjah who is the discipline of Rukmini Devi Arundale. Currently she is honing her skills under guru Girish Kumar, the disciple of Kalamandalam Chandrika who is the disciple of the veteran actress Vaijayanthimala.

[caption id="attachment_27736" align="aligncenter" width="856"] Prakrithi Suresh[/caption]

Apart from performing in various events in UAE and in functions organised by the Indian consulate of Dubai and Indian Association Sharjah; the youngster has performed in two Natyanjali’s in India as well.

On a different note…

A student of Sharjah’s Amity Private School, when Prakrithi is not busy studying or practicing, she can be found playing musical notes on her guitar or keyboard. “I have taught myself to sing English songs and play western instruments,” she shares.

The artistic teenager has already decided her professional path. “I want to become a veterinary doctor, quite opposite to what people would think,” she smiles.

Follow Prakrithi Suresh on YouTube and Facebook

Reading Time: 5 mins