Ambika Grover: Indian American teen wins big for her research on ischemic stroke
Compiled by: Team GI Youth
(April 2, 2023) 17-year-old Indian American Ambika Grover was quite nervous as she sat along with the other 39 finalists at the 2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search award ceremony. The Greenwich High senior spent a week in Washington DC with other students presenting their projects to judges at the most prestigious science and mathematics competition for high school seniors in the US. Though she didn’t expect to win, she ended up taking sixth place for her project about ischemic strokes. “When I heard my name, I was so excited,” the teenager said, who brought home $82,000, with $80,000 coming from her sixth-place win and $2,000 from being selected as a scholar. And now, the Riverside resident wants to use the prize money towards her future college tuition fee.
Ambika Grover at Regeneron Science Talent Search
The teenager reveals a startling number that suffers from the effects of a stroke each year – 15 million – and out of which, there is a five-and-a-half-million-person mortality rate. In this, ischemic strokes (wherein an artery becomes partially or fully blocked due to a blood clot) account for 87 percent of all strokes. And her research lies in this area as currently, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is used to treat ischemic stroke, but one of its shortcomings include the risk of bleeding elsewhere and the inability to stop the forming of new clots. That’s when Ambika decided to dive deep into the research and came up with a probable solution.
She has engineered a targeted therapy for patients of ischemic stroke, which is caused by blood clots that deprive the brain of oxygen, for the medicine and health project. She has developed an injectable layered microbubble designed to target and break up blood clots and prevent them from reforming. She believes this can be used to restore the flow of oxygen-carrying blood to the brains of ischemic stroke victims.
For the same, the high schooler used magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with a layer of anti-coagulant to prevent more clots from forming and a layer of tPA to break up the clot. “Ambika’s therapeutic innovation has the potential to make a real difference in how we treat ischemic strokes; we are encouraged by her results and eager to see how her research advances the field,” said Maya Ajmera, president and chief executive office of the Society for Science and Executive Science News.
The Indian American teenager, who sees herself conducting cardiovascular disease research someday, has already applied for a patent for her microbubble. She is keen to minor in economics in college and explore the intersectionality of economics and technology.
Ambika is also the president of the Girls Who Code Club and is one of 12 debaters selected from 140,000 to compete internationally with the USA Debate Team.
She is currently gearing up for an internship at Greenwich Hospital in May, where she will be working with someone who specialises in strokes. She also hopes to continue with her research in college and take it to the next level – using real-life applications. “I’m hoping to really learn more about how it applies to patients and the challenges we face deciding what actions we take when someone has an ischemic stroke and I want to use that knowledge to help me take this research further,” the Global Indian said.
(January 14, 2022) A teen with responsibility and accountability, her endeavours find solutions to global issues. Niharika Shukla was just 12 when she noticed how difficult it was for autistic children to pick up new skills. This was especially true for children diagnosed late with disability. Having volunteered for autism and learning disability support groups, the Indian teen mulled over it. Soon, she had her answer – a tool to diagnose autism spectrum disorder early, helping thousands. The 14-year-old student at Cumberland Valley High School, Pennsylvania, USA developed the Autism Diagnostic Tool, an artificial intelligence algorithm and device which uses auditory biomarkers and AI to diagnose autism spectrum disorder. A STEM believer, Indian teen inventor Niharika already has quite a few feathers in her cap at a very young age. Her work with AI was recognised by the Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair, a Wisconsin-based organisation that showcases youngsters’ research talents. Shukla is a part of Girls with Impact, an entrepreneurship and innovation academy, a programme that equips girls with entrepreneurship skills. The student, innovator, researcher and inventor is also the 2021 Science Fair Grand Champion and Broadcom MASTERS Top 300. How to help those on the autism spectrum
What led Shukla to the invention was the close observation of children with ASD, and what late diagnosis acerbated. Children with ASD are bullied, self-injure themselves, have learning difficulties and a regression in abilities. “It felt wrong that children could be diagnosed with ASD as late as age 12, and not get the treatment they need,” Niharika Shukla tells Global Indian.
After close observation and research, she identified that characteristic vocal features, auditory biomarkers indicate the presence of ASD. “Using auditory biomarkers, I wanted to create a new test to diagnose ASD in children in a more accurate, affordable and quick way,” Shukla explains.
The device first uses microcontroller-based hardware to collect audio through an inbuilt microphone. The data collected from the hardware device is sent to the computer for backend processing, for voice-feature analysis, and after a few rounds of analysing the data, the device diagnoses autism spectrum disorder, with the final results sent by bluetooth, to a mobile app. The Indian teen inventor is currently working on improving her algorithm, gaining a deeper understanding of AI, and collaborating with mentors to bring her innovation to a wider audience. The young inventor is optimistic.
Most recently, Niharika received a scholarship to Karlie Kloss’s Technology and Innovation Camp, Kode with Klossy, to learn programming. Initiated by supermodel and coder Karlie Kloss, it offers free coding camps for girls aged 13 to 18 across the United States.
More inventions on the anvil
During the pandemic too, Shukla was busy. Observing that many faced problems with not being able to accurately measure health data at home, Niharika donned her thinking cap again. “You can’t visit the doctor during a pandemic, and I wanted to create a solution,” she adds. Her invention - HealthVitals, a low-cost, at-home health monitoring device checks pulse data, blood oximetry, and temperature, was introduced in 2021. “One can monitor their health and proactively prevent serious issues,” smiles the Indian teen inventor.
Love for microcontroller projects
Using microcontroller devices to solve problems, she explains, “Small devices that include microchips, memory and the ability to connect to external sensors and devices, one can programme microcontrollers to perform specific actions.” Niharika started puttering with microcontrollers during lockdown, working on many projects. “They could be anything, as big as my prototypes for HealthVitals, or something as small as an LED display screen for my room! Microcontrollers and sensor technology fascinate me - I see so many possibilities for this technology in the future!” the young scientist happily explains.
Fun learning science since childhood
Shukla fell in love with science at a very young age - grade one - when she would sketch designs of devices. The affair only embellished as she grew. “I loved science and technology. I see the ability to address issues in my community and help people! If there’s a fire in my town, technology is the first thing that alerts firefighters to save families. In many ways, science and technology are one of the most powerful and helpful tools of our generation,” the Indian teen says.
The apple, and the tree
Parents Bharti and Rajiv Shukla are IIT and Harvard alumni. Her elder sister, Neha invented a cap -- SixFeetApart in 2020 to ensure social distancing during Covid-19. All this has ensured that this brilliant "apple" did not fall far from the tree! While her sister Neha made her family proud being featured on the Nasdaq screen at Times Square for her innovation, Niharika is herself taking after this STEM family’s aspirations. “Neha motivates me because I see how her work directly impacted so many people. She inspires me! My sister and I are close, and we both lift each other up, and help each other stay motivated!” shares the little innovator.
Daily regimen of the young inventor
Her day during Covid 19 begins with online Zoom classes and reviewing coursework. “After a quick snack, I get into my work for innovation and STEM,” chirps the Indian teen inventor. Not just a science geek, Niharika is artistic too - she unwinds playing the piano. “I’ve been playing the piano for the past six years. I also enjoy painting, drawing, and reading new books,” adds the Indian teen.
Bharti and Rajiv Shukla are her biggest motivators. While Bharti works in management consulting for tech and government sector projects, Rajiv works in the space of finance and healthcare, thus their home conversations can be as complex as AI and ML or just simple as ‘what’s for dinner?’ The Shukla sisters have their parents to mentor them through their innovations. “We all worked together to create a little solar-powered car. My sister and I assembled the car, and my parents were so surprised to see it rev on a hot summer's day!" she laughs.
India is close to her heart
The Shukla family visited India just before the pandemic - warm summers with family, catching up with cousins and grandparents, and imbibing the culture.
Shukla now plans to follow her sister Neha and dabble into wearable technology, looking at personal safety and preventing child trafficking. “I’m also excited to learn more about emerging technology like artificial intelligence, gene-editing, nanomaterials through online resources, courses, and reaching out to mentors! I hope to partner with companies like UNICEF to bring my innovations to a wider audience,” says the pony-tailed science whiz.
(November 19, 2022) In 2018, then 13-year-old Adarsh Ambati's life came temporarily to a standstill when his mum suffered a third-degree heart block. Adarsh recalls seeing her connected to wires that were meant to monitor health but didn't allow her to move around. So, Adarsh Ambati, now the founder of the Green Initiatives Movement, decided to develop a portable, cost-effective device that could monitor vital signs without hampering mobility. Nine months later, the prototype for the vital signs monitor was ready. By the time he won the prestigious Gloria Barron Prize in 2021, Adarsh had also devised the Community Sprinkler and started an Amphibian Biodiversity Protection Initiative. [caption id="attachment_24431" align="aligncenter" width="545"] Adarsh Ambati[/caption] The Contactless Monitor Now a freshman at Stanford University, Adarsh's first project, the Contactless Monitor, was ready nine months after his mother's illness. Fortunately, her mobility had been restored, so Adarsh ran over 1000 tests on his protype, as part of a 40-participant pilot study. "It took me around nine months to develop the device and build an app with notifications so doctors could use it, but also regular people," he told The Guardian. "Because it's contactless and relatively portable, it could even be used to detect
onitor, was ready nine months after his mother's illness. Fortunately, her mobility had been restored, so Adarsh ran over 1000 tests on his protype, as part of a 40-participant pilot study. "It took me around nine months to develop the device and build an app with notifications so doctors could use it, but also regular people," he told The Guardian. "Because it's contactless and relatively portable, it could even be used to detect infectious diseases like Covid-19."
Even as a teenager, the young Global Indian was especially perceptive of the world around him, alive to its problems and eager to find solutions, which he does using his deep interest in technology and coding. Growing up in California, he noticed his neighbours using automatic sprinklers, using vast amounts of precious water on landscaping.
A low-cost community sprinkler alert system
"While going to school in the rain one day, I saw one of my neighbours with their sprinklers on, creating run-offs," he told Vintage Billboard. "Through research, I found that 25 percent of the water used in an average American household is wasted each day due to overwatering and inefficient watering methods."
In 2016, Adarsh began work on a prototype for a smart, low-cost, community sprinkler alert system. When he conducted a two-month pilot with 10 neighbouring homes, he found they had the potential to save some 50,000 gallons of water in a couple of months. "The sprinkler system is compliant with water regulations, to cost-effectively save water for entire neighbourhoods using a Raspberry Pi, moisture sensors, PyOWM (weather database) and by utilising free social media networks like Twitter," he added.
The idea was to save the excess water that is wasted during general-purpose irrigation. The device can detect and integrate real-time weather forecast data to provide the optimum levels of water. It doesn't stop there. The sprinkler alert system is also connected to social media and can publish information on when to turn on sprinklers and for how long.
The prototype cost about $50, which, incidentally, is less expensive than the higher-end smart sprinklers. By Adarsh's estimate, it can be brought down to about five cents or less per household, since the device can serve an entire community.
A scalable model
Some 83 percent of water used in outdoor landscaping can be saved, a huge deal in Northern California, 100 gallons of water is used for outdoor landscaping everyday, in an average household. The sprinkler alert system was also presented to the San Jose City Council, who even considered installing the system in their public grass areas.
Recognition found Adarsh in 2019, when he won MagPi Magazine's Coolest Projects USA competition. Phil Colligan, the CEO of Raspberry Pi, also expressed his support. In 2021, he received the prestigious Gloria Barron Prize. Adarsh is also the founder of Gro-STEMS, which sells succulents to support technology training at San Jose's LifeMoves Homeless Shelter and Aarti Girls School for abandoned children in Kadapa, India.
(August 6, 2022) About five minutes into the video call with Rishika Karthik, I notice a beautiful painting hanging right behind her. Depicting several masked people, a small note on the canvas read, "I'm not fine." Upon enquiring about the piece, she quips, "Oh! This is something I drew during the lockdown, its called Welcome to the Masquerade. I noticed that along with the physical mask, people also wore a metaphorical mask that stifled their individuality. Many people put on a facade to fit in the society. I think, masking our emotions and vulnerability strips us of true human connection." [caption id="attachment_20443" align="aligncenter" width="544"] Rishika Karthik with her artwork, Welcome to the Masquerade[/caption] Just 17 but wise beyond her age, Rishika is a creative activist, who is committed to increasing artistic and educational opportunities for blind and visually-impaired students since 2018. And for her service to the community, this Tamil Nadu native was presented with the USA President's Volunteer Service Award 2022. "I had just woken up and rushed to get ready for the school when I read the mail announcing the win. It is such a big honour for me. Especially because the list includes some very impressive youth,
USA President's Volunteer Service Award 2022. "I had just woken up and rushed to get ready for the school when I read the mail announcing the win. It is such a big honour for me. Especially because the list includes some very impressive youth, who are working for the community. I cannot wait to collaborate with the other awardees on some project," says Rishika, as she connects with Global Indian from Colorado.
[caption id="attachment_20444" align="aligncenter" width="492"] The artist recently won the USA President's Volunteer Service Award 2022[/caption]
A proud member of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), Rishika founded a project called Vision of the Artist's Soul (VAS), to create a comprehensive art education programme for blind and visually-impaired youth. The youngest recipient of a two-year Arts in Society Grant Award, Rishika advocates for policies and infrastructure for a more accessible society. Speaking at several panels and events, the young artist has been raising her voice for the rights of blind and visually-impaired individuals to travel independently. Gearing up for her freshman year at Brown University, Rishika plans to take up disability studies for her bachelor's.
Of colours and art
Twenty years ago, Rishika's parents moved to the United States of America in search of better employment opportunities. Born in Colorado, Rishika was a curious kid who was intrigued by everything she saw. "My parents often tell me that I asked the question 'why' more than anyone they have ever met in their entire lives. But I was a curious kid, who questioned everything," laughs the artist. "When I was growing up, I felt like I was too American in the Indian community and too Indian in the American community. Now, however, I understand that being multi-cultural and multi-lingual allows me to look at things from more than one perspective."
Struggling with her identity as a child, Rishika found solace in art, where she could express her thoughts and emotions without any hesitation. "I taught myself how to sketch and colour. Blank pages became a sea of opportunities for me," she shares.
[caption id="attachment_20445" align="aligncenter" width="562"] Rishika's artwork, Blind Vision. The braille engraved on the artwork reads 'Confident'.[/caption]
A bright student of St. Mary’s Academy, Rishika credits her teachers for motivating her to help the kids with disabilities in her locality. "My teachers instilled the value of how education can transform lives, and I really wanted to serve the less fortunate people. My mother also comes from an educational background, so I was very inspired by watching her tutor kids in our home," the artist shares.
Motivated and curious, Rishika approached the Director of Service Learning at her school for volunteering opportunities and learned about the various organisations working to help the visually-impaired kids in her locality. "It was a community that I had never interacted with before. So, when I first went, I was a bit hesitant, but upon meeting them I fell in love with their warmth. I learned so many new things about the community and the challenges that they faced doing the things that are quite simple for us," says Rishika, who learned braille to help these students better.
From visual to tactile
While they had other mediums to study and learn, one thing that grabbed Rishika's attention was the lack of art or colours in these kids' lives. "During my research, I learned about Tactile Art Club, run by Ann Cunningham, who later became my mentor. I realised that tactile art is just as important and powerful, as visual art, and decided to incorporate it into my volunteer work. The results were a revelation for me - it helped many blind students explore new artistic possibilities," shares the artist, who focussed on enhancing the participants' experiences with ceramics, using many tools to form a variety of textures and forms.
[caption id="attachment_20446" align="aligncenter" width="701"] Rishika at the art workshop[/caption]
In January 2020, Rishika became the president of the Tactile Art Club. Although they were making good progress, COVID came as a disrupting guest. "It was hard initially, as no one knew what to do or how to connect to the students. But eventually, we started our workshops and classes online." And that was the turning point - for Rishika and the Tactile Art Club. The online classes attracted visually impaired students not just from Colorado, but across the world. In December that year, the club had twenty-eight participants - all from diverse backgrounds. "It was quite a learning experience. From using just ceramics in our class, we started experimenting with a variety of interesting materials, such as tinfoil, pipes, and paper."
[caption id="attachment_20447" align="aligncenter" width="596"] Air dry clay creations by visually impaired students[/caption]
Interestingly, the 17-year-old artist is also a part of the team researching the impact of COVID-19 on visually-impaired kids, under Dr Penny Rosenblum, the Director of Research, American Foundation for the Blind. "I want to work towards a world that is inclusive, accessible, and safe for people with disabilities. I am also working on developing an interactive game app, that teaches visually impaired people mobility skills," she signs off.
(August 23, 2024) "Resilience is the only way to survive your changemaker journey," says Vidhi Yadav, founder, Beyond the Bounds. "You're going to feel that things aren't working - take a break but don't give up. They will question you, they will question your age, ability, gender and your qualifications. But you just keep going. It's okay to not be okay but don't give up." Her organisation has had over 1000 volunteers since it was founded in 2019, and impacted many more across India, Malaysia and Australia, where she currently lives. Through workshops, awareness programmes and events, Beyond The Bounds address mental health for Gen Z. In 2022, a World Health Organisation study estimated that one in eight people around the globe suffers from a mental disorder. Indians between the ages of 15 and 24 have the highest suicide rate in India, more or less in keeping with the international rates for the same age group. In India, that accounts for 35 percent of recorded suicides. It propelled Vidhi Yadav to address the problem and found Beyond The Bounds, an organisation that provides advice on mental health and well-being to the increasingly stressed out Gen Z. "I'm a shy person,"
"I'm a shy person," Vidhi says. It's surprising to hear, all things considered - she's active in the advocacy scene and the cause she supports through BTB involves interaction and communication by default. "I was very quiet growing up, quite a nerd, actually. I would go to school, come back home and study. My aunt noticed that I was shy, that I had a point of view but wouldn't speak up. After that, my teachers nurtured me, and I was put into public speaking events, until I went on to win an election and become school captain." In an interview with Global Indian, she recalls her nervousness in those days, every time she was due on stage. "Over time, I learned how to hide my nervousness. I struggled but once I learned, I became unstoppable."
[caption id="attachment_29579" align="aligncenter" width="562"] Vidhi Yadav, founder, Beyond The Bounds[/caption]
Getting past schoolyard bullies
In tenth grade, she encountered her first big pitfall - and this one would transform her life. As board exams approached, she struggled to juggle school work with extra-curricular activities. Her family was always supportive, as were her friends, but still, the anxiety was overwhelming. "My grades slipped, and that was a terrible thing to happen because my school was academically rigorous. I also put on a lot of weight because i was neglecting my mind and body, so I faced body shaming too."
It was a culture of toxicity that had pervaded into daily life. Nobody questioned the rampant bullying, the bullies couldn't see the harm they were causing and the victims had nowhere to turn. Vidhi recalls an old classmate, who had just moved back to India from the US after his father lost his job. "He had clinical depression and was on therapy and medication. He was bullied so much, people refused to help him and made fun of his accent." Although the school had a counsellor, there was no conversation around bullying, or mental health.
In 2018, Vidhi graduated with top grades, earning herself a place at the prestigious D.G. Ruparel College of Arts, Science and Commerce, one of Mumbai's most critically acclaimed colleges. A year later, in 2019 she began building Beyond The Bounds, holding the organisation's first event that June. "I decided it was time to stop overthinking my problems and to think of others instead. What about all those who didn't have support from school or at home? There aren't many organisations that focus on youth mental health and there are so many myths surrounding the matter."
Building BTB
After conversations with counsellors in her college, her Psychology teachers and other mental health organisations, she decided on an advocacy programme. "I was rejected from 50 places," Vidhi says. "I still remember that number. She was told she was too young, and not qualified enough. "Focus on your studies," she was told, dismissively. Vidhi even heard things like, "You're too smart and too pretty to do this kind of work." Finally, it was her Psychology teacher who came to her aid, connecting her with a counsellor who agreed to help.
As she did her research, Vidhi realized that Gen Z needed help. People weren't able to find the right support, and were cowed down by societal, relationship and family pressures." Those who dared to speak up were quickly dissuaded from talking about it. Conversations were slowly starting up on social media, but these were very nascent.
Vidhi began by reaching out to her peers, asking them to volunteer. There, the idea was very well-received. Students looking to enhance their CVs took to the cause, its uniqueness appealed to them. So, every day after class, BTB members would reach out to schools in Mumbai - it often meant visiting them in person. They requested permission to conduct workshops and seminars. "Those are formative years, when the personality develops. That's where we wanted to extend our efforts," Vidhi explains. Schools were on board with this, asking Vidhi's team to conduct workshops on how to manage stress and anxiety for students gearing up for tough competitive exams.
Mental health during the pandemic
A year later, the pandemic hit and the lockdown was imposed. That year transformed society and people suddenly understood the importance of mental health. It was around the time they received their first round of funding from Kids Rights, an organisation in the Netherlands. “We used the funding to expand our online reach, build a website and use technology to conduct our workshops online,” she says.
Life wasn’t easy but tech-savvy urban kids had it easier, Vidhi believed. What had become of India’s villages, and the children who lived there? She wanted to explore rural India, and approached another youth organisation, Global Changemakers, asking them to fund an offline programme. That led to the launch of BTB's Rural India Programme, in November 2020. Three members went to rural Haryana, to conduct a series of workshops there, tiptoeing past Covid-19 restrictions. The first camp was for kids who were due to appear for board exams. The second camp was on self-reliance during the pandemic and was held for women. The third workshop was for men, many of whom had lost their jobs in the heavily agrarian states of Punjab and Haryana.
The experience taught her a valuable lesson. If she had pictured a society weakened by circumstance, she found the opposite. "People told me, the pandemic doesn't matter. There will always be hardships in life, so you need to be resilient. And you need a family who will support you. These people had a lot to be stressed about but they were content." These people living quietly in the rural hinterlands understood that life is full of ups and downs, that our ability to deal with it matters most of all. "My grandmother would always tell me that to some people, an idol meant a piece of art. To others, it was about faith. I understood her words after I spent time in these village communities."
Expanding abroad
As restrictions eased, Vidhi, who was doing her master’s course online through Curtin University, already found there was no mental health club on campus, or in any university in Australia, for that matter. In fact, there wasn’t a single one on any university campus. She started a BTB chapter in Malaysia, where she moved in 2022, to study at their Curtin University campus. "I spent time with advisors, teammates and learned a lot about Malaysian culture through that experience," she says. When she eventually got to Australia, she began BTB’s operations there too. Her efforts earned her a Curtin Extra Recognition, a very select campus award.
"Our aim is to bridge the gap between students and counselling services," Vidhi says. "And we want to do this through unconventional events." This includes a pet therapy session in Malaysia, where they collaborated with an animal shelter and allowed participants to adopt an animal with which they felt a connection. Art therapy, with activities like mindful drawing and painting are also right up their alley. "We try to keep it light-hearted because our academics can be very heavy," she says.
With over 1000 volunteers so far, BTB has also released a self-help guide, which they released online as a resource to UNHCR. "A student from Kenya reached out to me through Kids Rights and we made the guide accessible to UNHCR and students living in refugee camps in Kenya," she says. In Indonesia, they did awareness workshops on the negative effects that social media can have on mental health. Vidhi was also chosen to present her work at Act2Impact, an initiative by Harvard University.
Vidhi’s takeaways for young changemakers:
"Don't start a cause just because you're a wannabe founder," Vidhi says. "Only do it if you really believe in it.
Resilience, she believes, is the only way to survive the changemaking journey. People will question your age, ability, gender and qualifications. But you just keep going.
Understand the meaning of leadership - it's not about dictating. If you can address a problem and solve it as part of a community, you're a leader.
"I'm not a work-life balance person," Vidhi admits. "But it's okay to take breaks. After I moved away from home, I learned how important it is to take care of one's mental and physical health."
Finally, she remembers her grandmothers' words of wisdom through the years. "Always respect people around you. Show courage and kindness, even to those who don't respect you."
(July 25, 2024) To rephrase a line from the Academy Awards, the year American Beauty was nominated, ‘A ten-year-old will never be viewed as just a ten-year-old kid ever again!’ Making India proud, and the world sit up and take notice of her talent, is now 11-year-old Maya Neelakantan who was ten when she performed earlier this year on America’s Got Talent [AGT]. Maya Neelakantan tells Global Indian about music, her performance on AGT, and plans for the future. Resplendent in a brocade maxi dress with a matching dupatta pinned across, and traditional Indian jewellery including a waistband, bangles, jhumkas, a bindi and multiple braids in her long hair, Maya’s Indian appearance belied the music she played on stage. Starting with a Carnatic raga, the Natabhairavi, the audience was confused initially as is visible in the now viral reel. But, what followed had everyone roaring in approval. She effortlessly transitioned to heavy metal, playing her version of Last Resort, by the band Papa Roach. She kept improvising, leaving even the judges stunned with her performance and added Carnatic gamakas, metal, rock and blues highlights to finish to a standing ovation. Overnight, Maya became a global sensation with everyone sharing her AGT performance,
Overnight, Maya became a global sensation with everyone sharing her AGT performance, Simon Cowell calling her a rock goddess, and Anand Mahindra calling her a rock goddess from the land of goddesses.
A Self-Taught Child Prodigy
However, Maya was amazingly composed when she spoke to Global Indian over the phone. Born to a Tamilian father and an Australian mother, both entrepreneurs, Maya recalls, “My appa [father] used to play music in the car. He played Carnatic and heavy metal and I loved both genres. When I was six, I started learning the songs I liked online. I was learning vocal Carnatic music also but I have stopped going for those classes. So yes, I am self-taught but I can’t read music because I didn’t go for normal classes.” Maya is currently receiving formal training online from Guitar Prasanna, a well-known New York-based guitarist since the past two years.
Maya’s passion and talent with the electric guitar have made her idols sit up and take notice of her. Adam Jones from the band TOOL was her first follower on Instagram after he watched her rendition of his song 7empest. This heavy metal band composes complex songs that are longer than the norm. He even sent her a guitar from the US which, for Maya was the ultimate recognition of her music. She even met Danny Carey from the same band who gifted her a signed drum head.
Other metal greats she has met and is in touch with include Alex Skolnick of Testament and Gary Holt (Slayer) who gave her an autographed guitar after they had a jam session together. Testament’s Eric Peterson too gifted her an autographed amplifier. Maya met Jessica Pimentel of Orange is the New Black through Adam Jones and Jessica trained her via Zoom. Maya reveals, “Jessica taught me how to improve my movements. I was anxious but she helped me gain a lot of confidence. For me, she is like my big sister. They all are my gurus and constantly talk to me.” Maya even got to play on the most legendary guitars made by Gibson, when Cesar Gueikian, the CEO invited her to visit the Gibson Garage in Nashville.
[caption id="attachment_38778" align="aligncenter" width="552"] Maya Neelakantan with Cesar Gueikian, CEO of Gibson[/caption]
Devoted to her Passion
Considering that she is all of 11 and regularly interacts with legends of rock music, how does she stay level-headed through it all? “I stay grounded through the 45 minutes of meditation that I do every morning. It helps me remember where I started from.” Wise words from a child who taught herself to play the guitar through YouTube videos. And now has a channel of her own.
Maya studies at an online school because the family travels frequently. She loves to read and watch documentaries on animals with her younger brother Rudhra. But music is the primary passion she avers. “I practice for six hours a day, longer on days I don’t have school.”
Watch her reels on Instagram; you can see her face radiant with incandescent joy as she plays the electric guitar. She played on the AGT stage with similar emotion. She admits, “I was nervous though I had rehearsed it so many times. But I also wanted to have fun and treated it like it was a party. AGT had called and asked me if I was interested in performing. This is not something that happens to everyone and there are so many talented people around. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I decided that I was going to enjoy it.”
[caption id="attachment_38780" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Maya Neelakantan with her guru, Guitar Prasanna[/caption]
Maya believes she still has a long way to go and plans to delve further into the music she loves. Whether it is the Carnatic ragas or the thrash metal hits, she is clear about her future goals. She says, “I want to create my own genre of music where I combine thrash metal and Carnatic music complete with the alapana and ragas. I want to go deeper into both forms of music.”
She has been contacted by the folks at Mahindra Group for her to perform at their annual blues music festival and talks are on. Whatever the future holds for this talented young girl with AGT and beyond, one hopes her passion leads her to unsurpassed creative milestones. A talent like hers merits nothing less than greatness.