Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveWizards of maths: NRI prodigies Raghav & Madhav’s fab formula – brilliance, philanthropy & extracurriculars

Wizards of maths: NRI prodigies Raghav & Madhav’s fab formula – brilliance, philanthropy & extracurriculars

Written by: Amrita Priya

(April 22, 2022) Number whizzes, Dubai-based brothers Raghav and Madhav have turned numerals into more than just that, with their social endeavours. For them, it’s evident that charity begins with numbers! The brothers with roots in Chennai are not only maths wizards but dedicated philanthropists who have raised close to 40,000 dirhams as part of their philanthropic initiatives for Al Jalila Foundation (an initiative of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai) and Smile Train, Dubai (world’s largest charity for children with cleft). They have other charity initiatives too. At just 12 (Raghav) and nine (Madhav), the genius prodigies also have a cartload of awards and accolades. “Not using the abilities that we have is useless. We have learned that we should use our talent for a noble cause,” says the older sibling Raghav in an interview with Global Indian.

Raghav and Madhav, maths wizards

Since 10, and seven, Raghav and Madhav have been helping special needs students, the have-nots, and the pandemic saw them raise funds to help those affected. “Since we couldn’t really meet face-to-face, we met people online to showcase our mental math abilities firsthand and raise funds,” says Madhav.

A big brother who showed the path

Raghav, who was felicitated by Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO, Al Jalila Foundation for his humanitarian efforts, has been conferred the coveted Hamdam Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for distinguished student 2020-2021. The then consulate-general of India to Dubai awarded him the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Award, 2020. A math wizard and Diana awardee, there is a depth to his talent and abilities. He represented the UAE national team in the IMSO Olympiad (Indonesia), and is among the top 5 in the Junior Mental Calculation World Championship held in Germany. Dubai Cares has awarded Raghav, the Young-Philanthropist Award in 2019.

Raghav Krishna Seshadri Sumanth

Yet, of paramount importance is his dedication towards developing his mathematical acumen. Raghav took up an algebra honours course meant for seniors at the North-Western University at the Centre for Talent Development, US. Unsurprisingly, he passed with a whopping 92 percent, though still in grade six. The consecutive two-time gold medallist in the math Olympiad, UAE brushes off these brilliant accolades, as his interest lies in using his talent to help others.

Both Raghav and Madhav enrolled in UCMAS (a worldwide skill development programme promoting the universal concept of a mental arithmetic system) at age five. The course laid a solid foundation for their extraordinary mathematics skills. “There is one competition – Flash in UCMAS, wherein numbers flash on screen, and you’re supposed to add them quickly. In that style of competition, I am the flash champion in UAE,” smiles an excited 12-year-old Raghav.

Private coaching from world-renowned experts, both in India and the UK, Raghav even trained himself in advanced mental math abilities. “We would like to do more charity for causes like teaching visually impaired about astronomy,” says Raghav.

The little boy genius

Madhav is an ardent fan of his older brother, and loves emulating him. The UAE national level first ranker in the Ignited Mind Labs Mental Math competition in 2021, he is also a national level gold medallist in the Mathematics Olympiad conducted by IOF in 2021-2022 (UAE).

Madhav Krishna Seshadri Sumanth

With three awards in the UCMAS National Abacus Mental Arithmetic Competition 2019 (in visual calculation, flash mental calculation, and listening mental calculation in the junior 4 category), Madhav’s prowess follows closely behind Raghav’s. An international champion at the UCMAS International Abacus competition (Cambodia, 2020), Madhav also learned to spread his wings. The avid cricketer started training at the International Cricket Council Academy in Dubai at five. He won the ICC Academy ADIB Warriors U-7’s coveted One to Watch Award 2019. An exceptional talent as a stylish left-handed batsman, Madhav is determined to take the sport further.

Fundraising through mathematics

The brilliant brothers, Raghav and Madhav set up the YallaGive campaign to raise funds for Al Jalila Foundation’s Ta’alouf (harmony in Arabic) programme which empowers children of determination (special needs kids) by equipping parents and teachers to develop necessary skills to hone potential. The pandemic saw them raise funds (online) by posting videos, and setting up virtual meetings asking mental math questions to potential donors – the better they performed, the greater the donors contributed. Raising 30,000 dirhams for children with Down Syndrome and autism, they facilitated scientific training for 73 teachers across 23 schools in the UAE in 2020.

Chain of Initiatives

Raghav and Madhav’s math acumen is spectacular, and that has given them an impetus to use it to help others. Sponsoring the education of an orphan girl child in India, Raghav is also the Youth Ambassador of Water Alliance, and often conducts webinars to propagate handwashing techniques, and water conservation. As youth ambassadors of Smile Train, they bore medical expenses of children suffering from cleft in the MENA region.

Strong roots

“Learning something and developing talent is good. But using that talent for a noble cause is even better, so we figured out that we should do something good with the skills we have,” says Raghav thoughtfully.

Raghav and Madhav

Their father Sumanth Seshadri is head of compliance at Gulf Islamic investments. Their philanthropic urgings were nurtured by a charitable upbringing through generations with their grandfather helming a charitable trust in India as well. While Sumanth encourages and motivates his sons on charity, or specialised courses, and often brainstorms on ideas, their mother, Vedavalli, a Bharatanatyam dancer, guides them in studies, and life.

Shining bright

Not ones to rest on their laurels, Raghav is now keen on taking up astronomy, and wants to become an astronaut or space scientist. “I would also like to be an astronaut because I always like to follow in the footsteps of my brother,” Madhav smiles.

Child prodigies, medals, and 99-100 percent marks is a norm. However, all maths and no play is not what the brothers are about. They hold a brown belt (Kyu 3) in karate, and are set for a black belt test soon. They paint. Are religiously inclined – with the first prize (thrice consecutively) in the Bhagavad Gita chanting. Oh, and the Carnatic music students love reading. “I read many books regularly. Until now, I’ve read almost 100 to 200 books, I’ve won the voracious reader award in school too,” pipes the brilliant Raghav.

Raghav and Madhav with parents

Their interests and lives are a lesson in time management. “With careful planning, we manage time. We schedule plans early, and are persistent on what and when to do things. We put extra effort in whatever we do, with our whole mind in it,” enthuses Raghav as Madhav nods in affirmation. They study in Delhi Private School, Sharjah in class 8 and New Delhi Private School, Sharjah in class 5 respectively. For siblings of such stellar acumen and talent, their parents are their inspiration, even as world looks on in awe at their brilliant and well-rounded achievements.

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Published on 22, Apr 2022

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Meet the girls who won Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2023

(March 8, 2023) In her address at the Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2023 felicitation ceremony Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, president Droupadi Murmu showered praises on this year’s eleven recipients. The Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, also known as the National Child Awards, is India’s highest honour for exceptional achievers between the ages of five and 18, in innovation, scholastics, sports, art and culture, social service and bravery. “The country whose children are so talented is bound to reach great heights,” said the President during her speech. The youngsters also got the opportunity to meet prime minister Narendra Modi after the felicitation ceremony. Global Indian celebrates the achievements of all the winners, and on International Women’s Day puts the spotlight on the five girls who received the prize, all of whom have climbed their own mountains to reach where they are today. Anoushka Jolly Innovator and social activist This young innovator’s app, Kavach, spreads awareness against bullying. Anoushka Jolly was a victim of bullying for three years, an experience she describes as the “lowest phase in her life.” It was also a “turning point,” she says, which helped her “identify her life’s purpose – to stop bullying and help kids be happier.” [caption

This young innovator’s app, Kavach, spreads awareness against bullying. Anoushka Jolly was a victim of bullying for three years, an experience she describes as the “lowest phase in her life.” It was also a “turning point,” she says, which helped her “identify her life’s purpose – to stop bullying and help kids be happier.”

[caption id="attachment_28198" align="aligncenter" width="581"] Anoushka Jolly with the Prime Minister of India[/caption]

Educational institutions, social organisations and experts have all stood by Anoushka in her endeavour - she also won a Rs 50 lakh investment on Shark Tank. “No one is born a bully; they are usually led into it in one way or another. We need to be open to hearing their side of the story, be empathetic and forgiving because sometimes peer pressure also leads them to bully,” she said in an interview with Global Indian. “However, the good thing is that we can always lead them back to being good,” remarked the Delhi girl.

Alana Meenakshi Kolagatla

Chess player

Ranked world number one in the U-12 girls’ category by FIDE (the International Chess Federation), Alana Meenakshi was described as a “distinguished chess player” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his congratulatory tweet. “Her successes in chess have made her shine in various competitions globally. Her accomplishments will certainly inspire upcoming chess players,” he wrote.

[caption id="attachment_28196" align="aligncenter" width="642"] Alana Meenakshi with the President of India[/caption]

“Kids should do something creative than just watching TV or spending time on mobile phones, she said in an interview with Global Indian, adding, “They should go out and play or, try some arts and crafts. Maybe, they should try learning a new thing like chess,” remarked the Vishakhapatnam girl.

Hanaya Nisar

Martial arts champion

The youngster from Kashmir has won great laurels representing India in multiple international competitions. Hanaya recently brought home a gold in the third World SQAY Championship held at Chingju in South Korea.

[caption id="attachment_28193" align="aligncenter" width="568"] Hanaya Nasir with the Prime Minister of India[/caption]

“I am honoured to receive such a big honour and also interact with the President and the Prime Minister of India,” she said after the award ceremony. “The award and interaction with such dignitaries are going to act as motivators for me to further excel in sports. I aim to make my country, Jammu and Kashmir and my parents proud,” she added.

Gauravi Reddy

Classical dancer

A prolific dancer from Telangana, seventeen-year-old M Gauravi Reddy has performed at various national and international events and is passionate about Indian culture. When she was twelve, Gauravi became the youngest dancer to be nominated to the International Dance Council (UNICEF, Greece) in 2016.

[caption id="attachment_28190" align="aligncenter" width="809"] Gauravi Reddy with the President of India[/caption]

Though the prolific dancer specialises in Kuchipudi, she can also perform other classical Indian dance forms like Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathak and Manipuri. “It’s all because of my mother’s support that I have come this far. She has always encouraged me,” said Gauravi in an interview after winning the award. “There is nothing wrong with youngsters being inclined towards western dance forms but at the same time, they should not forget their roots and learn a classical Indian dance form as well,” she added.

Shreya Bhattacharjee

Tabla player

Twelve-year-old Shreya holds a record in the India Book of Records for playing tabla for the longest duration. The young artist received a gold medal at the ninth Cultural Olympiad of Performing Arts held in Singapore.

[caption id="attachment_28192" align="aligncenter" width="689"] Shreya Bhattacharjee with the Prime Minister of India[/caption]

The Assamese prodigy has received various honours and accolades and has emerged champion in the All-North-East Tabla Solo Competition, All India Pt Rupak Kulkarni Music Competition and All India Tabla Solo Competition. “I am very happy to receive the Rashtriya Bal Puraskar. Becoming a recipient has increased my responsibilities to take my skills to newer heights and reach out to audiences nationally and internationally,” she said in an interview.

Watch Rashtriya Bal Puraskar felicitation ceremony on the President of India's YouTube channel

Reading Time: 5 mins

Indian American musician SANJ blends classical Carnatic with R&B

(April 29, 2023) In the pulsating heart of New York, where music is as much the soul of the city as its towering skyscrapers, a new rhythm is emerging. It is a melody woven from the threads of two vastly different worlds, of ancient traditions and modern dreams. Indian American musician Sanjana Nayak, better known as SANJ, is bringing the East and West together through her music. Making waves with her new latest album 'Nightingale', the youngster's journey as a musician has been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. However, her persistence and determination have helped her rise above her uncertainties, and produce some soul-stirring numbers. The Global Indian, who is trained in Carnatic music, believes her music pushes the boundaries of traditional fusion music, highlighting her creative ethos in a way she hasn’t tapped into before. "My music can best be described as R&B with sultry flows, intertwined with my Desi-Carnatic roots. I would say that my music is targeted towards those wanting to hear more worldly music that treads the cross-cultural balance of R&B and Bollywood, subtly and seamlessly. My music also highlights my creative ethos in a way I haven’t tapped into before," the musician said

R&B with sultry flows, intertwined with my Desi-Carnatic roots. I would say that my music is targeted towards those wanting to hear more worldly music that treads the cross-cultural balance of R&B and Bollywood, subtly and seamlessly. My music also highlights my creative ethos in a way I haven’t tapped into before," the musician said in an interview.

Growing up with music

Born in Jacksonville, Florida to Indian parents, the musician moved around a lot from city to city - going from Richmond to Chicago. "Growing up, my parents were pretty strict about grades, social life, etc. But they were always supportive and pushed me towards becoming a better musician, which I’m really grateful for. I played violin as a child," she said.

SANJ grew up training in the Carnatic-style of vocals since the age of four. Bollywood music and bhajans were always playing in her house, especially when her grandparents were around. Her initial inspiration for truly enjoying music as both a listener and a musician was the soundtracks of movies like Veer Zaara and Devdas. "But on the other end, I also was inspired by the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Mary J Blige, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Trey Songz, and Coldplay when I was young as well, and this helped me develop that duality of styles that you hear in my music now," SANJ informed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS89FXLigpE

But, her childhood was not all happy. "My suburb was almost 70 percent white back then, so it was tough growing up there for a while," she shared, adding, "I experienced a lot of racism and bullying, especially in my middle school years. I think these experiences shaped the pride I have for my culture now and the due diligence I put in to showcase it as much as possible from the perspective of a first-generation South Indian woman in the US."

Breaking stereotypes

While many South Asian kids her age were picking up STEM career paths, SANJ was pretty sure that she wanted to pursue music professionally even while she was in high school. Calling herself a 'rebel', the young musician believes that there is a place for South Asians in the fields of entertainment, art, and other non-STEM fields. She shared, "In fact, I think in the last year or two I’ve been seeing more and more of us come out of the shadows. I think it’s important to be in a line of work where you can support yourself and you’re not struggling daily to feed yourself, but I also think that it’s possible to pursue lucrative creative paths as a career if you put the work in. It’s also so important to not pursue a field just because other people are telling you to do so – your time, happiness, and untouched passions are not worth the sacrifice."

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So, soon after finishing her school, the youngster told her parents about her career choice. Even though they were quite supportive, there was one condition. "My family always supported my endeavours in music, as long as I could support myself. I’m lucky enough to have found a full-time role in advertising at Google, which helps me leverage my creative mind and network to successfully pursue my music career as well," she shared.

Blending traditions

In the months to come, SANJ worked in advertising strategy at Google, and by night, she's a vibrant performer lighting up venues across New York City. This balance was more than just a work-life equilibrium, it was a manifestation of her commitment to music. In her breakthrough EP ‘At Dusk’, the musician included the song ‘Cloudmind’, which was her take on experimental Desi R&B, and it did overwhelmingly well with over 300k+ streams across platforms. "TikTok mashups of my favorite trending music with Bollywood songs, and those also went viral. I kept up the mashups for about a year, and saw 10x growth across all of my platforms," the musician said, adding, "It was amazing to see the reception my community received, but also people outside of the South Asian community had towards this type of fusion music."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MADOCAH0y4

Talking about her new album, 'Nightingale', the musician said, "This album is an ode to my Desi R&B sound, including samples from Devdas and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, but also Hindi lyricism and Indian sounds that I crafted myself. I hope to be able to tour this album, and spread it to as much of the world as possible."

The musician plans on creating some amazing music for her audience going ahead. "Being able to incorporate that into Western music– it’s been a dream of mine. It’s what I’m going to continue to break boundaries in. This is just the beginning,” SANJ said.

Follow SANJ on Instagram and YouTube

Reading Time: 6 mins

Indian teen racing champ Atharva eyes Formula 3

Atharva Desai was eight-years-old when he watched his first Formula 1 race on TV, at his Virginia home. He was enchanted. He ran and pressed his face up against the screen. Today, at 19, the US-born Indian-origin racer is testing for Formula 3 in the UK with Arden Motorsports Team, Banbury. Now the Indian teen racing champ’s sights are set on a Formula 1 seat, and hopefully even a world championship. In early February, Atharva and a small group of drivers headed out to the Young Racing Drivers’ Academy racetrack at the Anglesey Circuit to test Arden Motorsports’ F3 cars – all whetted through a series of simulation rounds. Unfortunately, it was a rainy day - the track lay wet and glistening - hardly ideal for a racer. “I had never spent an entire day driving in the rain,” he recalls, in an exclusive interview with Global Indian. “But I kept it under control. I kept it fast and it went well,” said the Indian teen racing champ. A chance to sign on as an F3 driver and make headway to the coveted Formula 1, Desai is hopeful. [caption id="attachment_11211" align="aligncenter" width="875"] Atharva Desai at the Anglesey Circuit in Wales[/caption]

ance to sign on as an F3 driver and make headway to the coveted Formula 1, Desai is hopeful.

[caption id="attachment_11211" align="aligncenter" width="875"] Atharva Desai at the Anglesey Circuit in Wales[/caption]

A Brit Indian with a need for speed

Atharva entered racing before he hit his teens. A cutthroat world that required emotional stability far beyond his years, just as much as talent and skill, he says, “Attitude and confidence are important. You never know who is watching you. While talent is the first thing scouts look for, the second round involves testing a person’s confidence and approach to life. They want someone who can endorse them, who will bring their team a good name.”

Soon after he watched that first race on TV, his obliging parents took the excited eight-year-old to a go-karting track called the Allsports Grand Prix in Northern Virginia. He failed to meet the height requirements but was back the following year, determined to practice on his own. He was noticed by the track owner, Francois, who remarked to Atharva’s father that the boy “drives like a young Sir Jackie Stewart” and began teaching him the fundamentals of racing.

“I was 10 when I entered my first junior league,” says the Indian teen racing champ. A rookie, going up against opponents far more experienced than himself, he went on to win the championship, levelling up, and emerging victorious the next year too. “There was the last level left to compete at but my teacher stopped me. He thought I would beat everyone. My adult opponents wouldn’t have been happy about that,” he smiles.

After finishing second at the ROTAX National Race, Atharva was invited to test Formula 4 cars. And he impressed all. “I got blazing times. It got me noticed,” says the Indian teen racing champ who, in search of a good school to study engineering, chose Oxford Brookes College in the UK due to its motorsports curriculum.

At the Young Racing Driver Academy in Virginia, he met Jamie Horner, director, an established name, Horner’s brother, Christian, the British team principal for team Redbull Formula 1. “I became a developing driver to improve my skills, and hopefully race for them in the future,” says the 19-year-old. At the academy in Anglesey, drivers were put on simulators, chosen based on skills and timing. Atharva found out soon enough that F4 cars in the UK are quite different from those in the US. “The American cars are digital, less rigid. They’re not meant for aggressive racing. In the UK, they’re built for aggressive drivers – which is what I am,” says the Indian teen racing champ who re-honed his skills, leaving his mentors impressed.

How Nikki Lauda inspired him

Committed and driven, Atharva is up before 6 am, starting with an hour at the gym. Back home, he cooks breakfast, and heads to class. Unwavering discipline, born of mental fortitude, he explains, “I don’t get angry often. Motorsports, especially, the earlier phases are competitive and full of aggression. You’re getting attacked both on and off the track. So, you learn. If someone provokes me, I think, my goal is to be in F1. My goal is not to meddle with the guy.”

Even his choice of idols is unusual – Nikki Lauda, the legendary Austrian Formula One and three-time F1 World Drivers’ Champion, the only driver in history to be champion for both Ferrari and McLaren. In 1976, Lauda’s Ferrari swerved off the track and burst into flames. “He was pulled out of the car with half his face on fire. He didn’t give up, with dedication and mental strength, he made it through. Nothing could stand in his way,” says the Indian teen racing champ.

All about motorsport

Doing engineering in motorsport technology at Oxford, Atharva is uncommonly mature. “I was raised with Indian values. I understand that a little competition can go a long way,” he adds.

This year, he hopes to join a Formula 3 team in the US. “I have built good relationships there, and they are willing to give me an F3 seat,” says the racer whose connection with Arden Motorsports will continue alongside. “Next year, I start negotiating with Formula 2 teams. I also have to work at getting sponsors to back me,” says the Indian teen racing champ.

The chequered flag beckons

Much of his success, the Indian teen racing champ attributes to his unwavering resolve. “Attitude, confidence and general likeability all count for a lot. Being a race driver requires huge mental fortitude,” says the boy whose daily regimen involves mental training, “I do reaction time testing and I juggle - for balance and skill.”

Racing is an expensive sport, and staying on the track is thanks to the unflinching support by his parents. “I'm motivated by the fact they trust me and know I'm working hard,” says Atharva. He practices on iRacing, a simulation software. “There are actual drivers and scouts on it, so I practice and register for races,” says the teen, who loves to skateboard or decipher the Rubic's Cubes. Music is also a pet passion, “When I have time to spare, I make electronic music on my laptop,” he adds. The Indian teen racing champ’s 3,420 followers on Instagram are fondly called A4Rians, and he regularly updates them on race day highs.

As Youth Ambassador for Quench 66 by AquaKraft Pvt. Ltd, an initiative by the government of Maharashtra, he is also moving forward the mission to provide 50 million litres of drinking water across 500 schools in the state.

Follow Atharva on Instagram or visit his website, https://www.atharva4racing.com/

Reading Time: 6 min

Geraldine Viswanathan: Half Indian-half Swiss actress lights up Hollywood

(November 1, 2022) Born to an Indian doctor father and a Swiss artist mother, Hollywood actress Geraldine Viswanathan grew up in Australia with a deep love for horses and acting. After appearing in a Kodak television commercial when she was four years old, Geraldine began honing her acting skills. Geraldine who has also worked as a voice artist grew up deeply loving performing arts as part of her upbringing. Her mother Anja Raith who runs an acting school, attended musical theatre school in London and was an aspiring actress before getting married to her Tamil descent father Suresh Viswanathan. Geraldine’s maternal grandfather was a ballet dancer and film maker. The actress, who has been in the Hollywood Reporter’s ‘Nex Gen Talent,’ list as one of the 20 rising stars of the industry, is passionate about horses. “I came out of the womb loving horses, I don’t know what happened,” she joked in an interview with W Magazine. Groomed to be a star The 1995-born actress attended the Hunter School of Performing Arts at New Castle, Australia, enrolling in drama classes when she was in kindergarten. Although she was young, she was determined to begin preparing for what she knew would

style="font-weight: 400;">“I came out of the womb loving horses, I don’t know what happened,” she joked in an interview with W Magazine.

Groomed to be a star

The 1995-born actress attended the Hunter School of Performing Arts at New Castle, Australia, enrolling in drama classes when she was in kindergarten. Although she was young, she was determined to begin preparing for what she knew would be her future.

[caption id="attachment_23669" align="aligncenter" width="804"] Geraldine with Daniel Radcliffe[/caption]

“I remember being in this play when I was in grade five. I never got any leading roles, but I did get one little comedic bit part and I remember getting a laugh and feeling pretty cool about it,” she said in an interview with wwd.com.

When Geraldine turned 15, her family moved to Los Angeles for a few months. It became a turning point for the actress, who turned this family move into an opportunity to set a base in America, securing a manager for starting a career in Hollywood. Australia had comparatively limited options for her in acting, outside the stereotypical work.

[caption id="attachment_23672" align="aligncenter" width="839"] Geraldine with her co-star[/caption]

At the end of her family’s stay, she came back to Australia with them but continued working on her career. She would send audition tapes to her manager in America, while performing standup and sketch comedy with her group, Freudian Nip, back in Australia as she waited for her big break.

When she turned 20, Geraldine was selected for the Heath Ledger Scholarship, that gets awarded to an emerging Australian actors with extraordinary ability and dedication to their craft.

Amidst all the developments in Australia, she remained committed to her American dream and later after making big in Hollywood, told in an interview to Insider, "Here in America I didn't feel held back by my ethnicity, which was a really exciting feeling."

[caption id="attachment_23671" align="aligncenter" width="941"] Geraldine with her Miracle Workers team[/caption]

The big break

In 2016, Geraldine was cast to appear in the film, Emo the Musical in Australia where she had a very small part to play. The following year she joined the cast of ABC’s drama series Janet King in the country that she calls home - Australia.

It was in 2018 that she got her breakout role as an actor in the film Blockers in the US. She played the role of one of the teens whose parents are determined to not let them lose their virginity on the night of their high school prom, while the teens are hell bent on doing so. The film turned out to be the surprise comedy hit of the year. Geraldine’s role was acknowledged, and her dream of having a career in America finally saw the light of the day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vhy589rkgU

Following this, she went on to work on two critically acclaimed movies Bad Education where she played an Indian character, and Hala in which she portrayed the role of a girl from Pakistan. Both films earned rave reviews at Sundance Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival. Bad Education even managed some Emmy nominations.

Reel and real

In 2020 Geraldine starred in Selena Gomez-production, The Broken Hearts Gallery at Toronto, Canada. It was a breakthrough movie for her in many ways. She not only starred alongside a fellow Australian actor Dacre Montgomery but also like her real life she portrayed the character of a Brown girl whose mother is blonde. The reel mother even looked similar to her real mother.

Just a few years into her career, the actress enjoys a fairly large fan base and has shared the screen with established stars like Allison Janney, Hugh Jackman and Daniel Radcliffe. She has been playing recurring roles in the Australian series Janet King, and TBS comedy anthology, Miracle Workers in the US which is in its third season.

[caption id="attachment_23667" align="aligncenter" width="872"] Geraldine on the set of Miracle Workers[/caption]

She’s also possibly the first person to tell co-star Daniel Radcliffe that she hasn’t watched the Harry Potter films because she found them too scary. She was eight years old when she saw the first Harry Potter film and Geraldine was so terrified, she had to leave in the middle.

The actress, who lives in Brooklyn, New York, has subsequently given some more good performances in films like The Package, Cat Person, and The Beanie Bubble. She likes to work on projects that are ‘socially conscious’. Geraldine is always on lookout for acting opportunities that have a ‘fresh take’ on life and allow her to ‘explore different sides’ of herself.

The Viswanathans

Though Geraldine and her sister Indira have not travelled much to India, the actress is connected to the country through her Indian grandparents, who live in Australia. “My grandma is an incredible cook. She cooks biryani, and sambhar and chapati and poori – for me and my sister, that’s our favourite. South Indian food definitely feels homely to me,” she declared in an interview with Business Standard.

[caption id="attachment_23670" align="aligncenter" width="695"] Geraldine with her sister and parents[/caption]

The actress who is fondly called Yoyo by her loved ones, finds great support in her mom who always has some tips to give to her daughter in acting. Viswanathan home is never bereft of animals, they love their cats, and dogs as much as their horses.

Follow Geraldine Viswanathan on Instagram

Reading Time: 5 mins

Diljit Dosanjh, Raveena Aurora: The Indians taking Coachella by storm

(April 24, 2023) "Sat Sri Akal ji, Punjabi aa gaye Coachella oye." The crowd roared its appreciation as Diljit Dosanjh, dressed all in black, in a traditional tehmat, kurta, vest and turban, greeted Coachella 2023 at the end of his opening song, G.O.A.T. The superstar stuck to speaking in his his native tongue, taking pride in the fact that he doesn't prefer to speak to English. Every gesture was an ode to his Punjabi cultural heritage. On day two, he appeared in white, in a tehmat kurta which he styled with sneakers. It was Coachella's Patiala Peg moment and the crowds absolutely loved it. In January 2023, when the Coachella lineup was announced with Diljit's name on the list, not many Indians knew what that meant, really. And Coachella, it seems, was not prepared for the phenomenon that is Diljit Dosanjh and the Punjabi music rage. But with Dosanjh, Ali Sethi, Jai Paul and Blackpink all in the lineup, it's clear - inclusivity is in at Coachella. The festival has has more than lived up to a promise made during the pandemic. This year's lineup is a celebration of South Asia, with Dosanjh, Pakistani singer Ali Sethi and Bangladeshi-origin producer Jai

https://www.instagram.com/diljitdosanjh/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dosanjh, Pakistani singer Ali Sethi and Bangladeshi-origin producer Jai Wolf. In 2022, Indian-American Raveena Aurora and Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab crooned their way through the festival, to much acclaim.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is held every year at the Empire Polo Club in the Colorado Desert, Coachella is now organised by Goldenvoice. Today, it is one of the world's largest and most profitable festivals in the world, with over 2,50,000 attendees in 2017 and a gross revenue of $114.76. Founded in 1999, soon after the ill-fated Woodstock 2.0, the festival was an instant hit, with Rage Against the Machine headlining the inaugural edition. The biggest artists from around the world have played the festival since, including Jane's Addiction, Iggy and the Stooges, Daft Punk, Amy Winehouse, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Roger Waters, Kanye West, Lady Gaga and Beyonce (in chronological sequence).

The bid for diversity began back in July 2020, when Goldenvoice promised audiences more inclusive lineups. At that point, only one Indian artist had ever graced the festival stage. Ritesh D'Souza, one half of electronic duo B.R.E.E.D., along with pianist and vocalist Tara Mae, played the festival. Global Indian takes a look at Coachella's Indian presence.

B.R.E.E.D - Ritesh D'Souza and Tara Mae

[caption id="attachment_26561" align="aligncenter" width="484"] Ritesh D'Souza and Tara Mae at Coachella[/caption]

The niche Do Lab stage at Coachella is an open enclosure designed like a whale carcass, where Ritesh D'Souza made his appearance with some fast-paced beats, as dancers were 'sprayed' from water guns straight into the crowd. And India made its Coachella debut with what his collaborator, pianist and vocalist Tara Mae, described as a "forward-pushing sound." As Ritesh set electronic beats to the nadaswaram, his message was clear: India was going to be a global hotbed for EDM.

The bass producer had moved to Los Angeles from Mumbai only two years prior, intent on "pushing his sound internationally," Rolling Stone India writes. There, he released his debut, Binate, which made it to the Beatport and iTunes charts in 2014. At that time, when good music took precedence over political concerns, B.R.E.E.D shared the stage with rock icons AC/DC, blues rocker Jack White and the American rapper, Drake.

Raveena Aurora

In 2022, as Coachella made a blockbuster post-pandemic comeback, singer Raveena Aurora gave her electrifying performance of Dum Maro Dum, to much praise and applause. She knew she was making festival history that year, as its first female Indian-origin musician and she was determined to do so with style and substance both.

Later, she tweeted, "Only real ones will know the cultural significance of me singing Dum Maro Dum at Coachella, a song from an iconic Indian movie Hare Rama Hare Krishna, that was about the westernization of Indian spirituality. Indian culture is often appropriated on the world stage, with very little thanks given and Aurora wasn't about to let it slide, using the Coachella stage to lend her voice to every South Asian and represent the cultural roots to which she remains so deeply tied.

An LA girl all the way, Raveena starts her day with a meditation practice - which comes through in her 2022 album, Asha's Awakening. The 15-track record is a gentle, melodious amalgamation of R&B, soul, jazz and pop, with Indian and South Asian influences. "Indian culture and Punjabi culture has always surrounded me whether I embraced it or not," Raveena said. Growing up in an immigrant family that had moved to America shortly before she was born, a strong Indian influence pervaded her childhood, she recalls "going to the Gurdwara all the time." It meant she was "inundated and surrounded by that music, that celebration of colour and spirituality, that beautiful culture I'm so grateful to be part of."

Raveena began her musical career in 2017, releasing her EP, Shanti, after she graduated from NYU's Tisch School of The Arts. Her debut album, Lucid, followed in 2019. She loved pop, R&B, soul and jazz, all of which she leaned into for her own song writing. Then came a deep dive into Indian music, and Raveena began working on incorporating Hindi into her songwriting and collaborating with other South Asian artists.

Diljit Dosanjh

Diljit Dosanjh needs no introduction. This week, Diljit fans were ecstatic to hear that the 'Super Singh of Punjab' is going to be a headlining act at Coachella, alongside acts like K-Pop megastars Blackpink and Bjork. "I will sing in Punjabi, like always," the singer announced. His fans are thrilled and Diljit himself loves the festival, but remains as stoic as ever. "Jo ho raha hai, mere daayre se badi baat hai. Coachella is something I never even thought of, it was never in my plan. Whatever is happening in my life is.. maybe I don't even deserve it. I am just grateful to God."

Born in Dosanjh Kalan in Jalandhar district, Punjab, Diljit's father was an employee of the Punjab Roadways and his mother was a homemaker. Diljit began his singing career by performing Kirtan at local gurdwaras in his home town and also in Ludhiana, where the family relocated when Diljit was still in school. In 2004, he released his debut album, Ishq Da Uda Ada. Dosanjh's fame and popularity skyrocketed with his third album, Smile, and two of its tracks, Nachh Diyan Alran Kuwariyan and Paggan Pochviyan Wale. He wouldn't make it to pan-India glory for a few more years and by the time he did so, was already a Punjabi music star, touring for the diaspora around the world and performing to packed stadiums in Toronto. In 2011, he made his debut in Punjabi films, playing the lead in The Lion of Punjab, which was a flop, although his song, Lak 28 Kudi Da, a collaboration with Yo Yo Honey Singh, was a big success. One year later, he played the lead in Jatt & Juliet, which became one of the Punjab film industry's biggest hits and put him in the spotlight around the country.

Diljit's 2020 album G.O.A.T made it to the Billboard Global Chart and the Canada Top 20 and in 2022, he announced his collaboration with Warner Music, in a bid to further his global presence. Unapologetic, down to earth and totally at ease with himself, Diljit Dosanjh promises to be formidable ambassador for India's soft power at the iconic Coachella festival.

Jai Paul

[caption id="attachment_26563" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Jai Paul[/caption]

If Diljit Dosanjh is a household name, Jai Paul is an enigma. The singer-songwriter will, however, be at Coachella this year and, you might be surprised to learn, it's will be his first-ever live performance! In 2022, the musician made an appearance in Donald Glover's Atlanta and in 2019, released the album Leak 04-13, an official version of the material that had been famously leaked in 2013.

Jai Paul was born in Rayners Lane in northwest London and entered the public eye, in a manner of speaking in April 2013. An unknown user had uploaded a number of untitled tracks to the music streaming website Bandcamp, where they were made available for sale. It didn't take long for the media to pick up on a scam, atrributing the music to Jai Paul. Even so, the album did well, making it to The Guardian's Best Albums of 2013 and number 20 in Pitchfork's Top 50 Albums of 2013.

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