Belagavi to Brooklyn: How Indian filmmaker Siddharth Salgaonkar’s home-grown short made it to the Toronto Film Festival
Published by: Team GI Youth
(August 27, 2023) “A film so guerilla that it was written, directed, shot, and edited by me, in my house, with no crew, and my mom as the only actor,” Siddharth Salgaonkar said, about his short-film, Monster. The one-minute short was among the 23 selected from around the world to screen at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was a big break for the young Indian filmmaker and put Belagavi, a town in Karnataka, on the world map. “Monster was made using available materials and meagre resources, featured my mother Seema as an actress and my father Hemant as a crew member,” the young Indian filmmaker told The Hindu. “As a child, I wanted to be either a chef or a filmmaker. I think I have made my choice now after a lot of thought,” he smiled.
Siddharth was born in Belagavi and his father, Hemant Salgaonkar is an artist trained at Mumbai’s JJ School of Art. Creativity runs in the family, his mother is a Marathi theatre artist and a yoga teacher and his brother graduated from the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad and is now a UX-Designer in California.
Siddharth went on to study at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia and graduated in 2022. These days, Siddharth lives in Brooklyn, where he continues to pursue his dream of being a writer / director / actor. He’s also exploring a new interest – standup comedy. Now a regular performer in New York’s standup comedy circuit, the polymath is also working on his next independent film. “I’d dreamt of living in New York since I was little,” the Global Indian says. “I’m in love with the city and the people and want to continue living here for the foreseeable future.”
Early Student Films
He began making films as a student at the Srishti School of Art in Bengaluru, doing both fiction and non-fiction. His first film, Call, explores the relationship between a mother and son, and was based on true events. In the film, the protagonist waits for a call from his mother, which never comes. Although he doesn’t know why, he senses that something is wrong. In ‘Delete’, a “seven shot short”, a young man becomes oddly attached to an eraser. His films usually focus on the mundane, but are filled with tension and leave the audience wondering why. In Masala Beda, for instance, he captures the anxious anticipation of a student who waits for his order at the college canteen.
The non-fiction work of young Indian filmmaker, on the other hand, takes on social concerns. ‘Livelihood on a Ride’ delves into the ongoing battle that street vendors have against the municipality and the government in Bengaluru, as they jostle each other for space to make their meagre living. Ganesh Visarjan Bangalore is a brief documentary of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Yelahanka.
Although his shorts make an impact, they have their share of challenges. “As an independent filmmaker, you have to restrict yourself while writing a film to make sure you can afford to make it,” he explains. “I would like to believe that my ability to write humour – especially the dark, satirical kind – is one of my best characteristics,” says Siddharth, who sees himself as a writer first, then an actor and a standup comedian. “Stories play the most important role in my life. Coming from a small town in India, there are a lot of culturally unique stories and experiences that I have picked up that I want to narrate to the world.”
(June 5, 2024) A few days ago, Bruhat Soma found himself in a whirlwind of confetti as the audience erupted in cheers, as he became the 28th Indian American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The 12-year-old from Tampa in Florida spelled 29 words correctly out of 30 in 90 seconds in the tiebreaker spell-off round to clinch the trophy. A huge moment for the Indian-American kid for whom this year's win was his third attempt at the national level. "When I won, I was excited, I was really happy because for the past one year, I've been working really hard. So, when I just won, it was like a dream come true," said Bruhat, after winning the title. His spell-off sprint earned him the 2024 Scripps Cup, along with a grand prize of $50,000 after he significantly outperformed his competitor, Faizan Zaki, a sixth grader from Dallas who correctly spelled 20 words. During the final stage of the Spelling Bee, all eyes were glued to the screen as Soma accurately spelled "Hoofddorp" and Zaki spelled "nicuri," both advancing to the next round. [caption id="attachment_38092" align="aligncenter" width="815"] Bruha Soma wins 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee[/caption] It's been months that
om/youth//wp-content/uploads/2024/06/bruhat2-1024x576.jpg" alt="Bruhat Soma | Global Indian" width="815" height="458" /> Bruha Soma wins 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee[/caption]
It's been months that he has preparing for a spell off with his dad Srinivas Soma, who would prepare a list of 30 words for him to practice daily. "I was very nervous when I found out that there would be a spell off. My heart was pumping very fast but then I knew that I have been preparing spell offs every day for six months with my dad. So, I knew I was ready and I had to try my best to win. When Dr Bailey announced I got 29 correct, I was surprised because the last record was 22," he said. That's when Bruhat realised that he had a chance at winning the competition and it was "pretty exciting."
Along with studying with his father, he also used SpellPundit, a favourite tool among top spellers. Additionally, he relied on the dictionary, worked with a spelling coach, and created his own list of challenging words to target his weak areas. He entered in the competition with a clear goal and unwavering confidence as Bruhat knew he had prepared well for this moment. "I feel like working for it is the hardest part. But I was able to do it because I really wanted that trophy, and now I finally have it," the Global Indian said.
[caption id="attachment_38094" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Bruhat Soma with his parents[/caption]
The seventh grader, however, plans to donate the entire $50,000 prize money for a cause. "I am yet to decide, but it will definitely be for a good cause," says Bruhat.
Ever since becoming the spelling bee champion, congratulatory messages have been pouring from across the world, including his relatives in India. "It's pretty exciting that all my relatives back in India were rooting for me," said the boy who hails from Telangana. He plans to return to India soon to attend a family wedding, and meet his extended family. "I would also want to meet some of the Indian basketball players, in case there are any."
At the age of 12, he is not only proficient in spellings but has already memorised 80 percent of the Bhagavad Gita. "I did this program called Pragya and it taught me 700 shlokas from Bhagavad Gita," said the boy, who got more focussed on preparing for the spelling bee. But now he plans to return to his study of Bhagavad Gita.
Interestingly, before getting on the big stage of the spelling bee contest, Bruhat found himself chanting a shloka from the Bhagavad Gita, something that helped him stay focussed during the competition as he believed a divine power was looking after him. "The God is what makes everything happen."
Apart from his love for words, the multi-talented kid loves a game of basketball, and calls LeBron James his favourite player. He also enjoys e playing badminton, ping-pong, and the snare drum in his middle school band.
With his big win, Bruhat plans to relax this summer, play some basketball and maybe go on a vacation. He has already chalked out his career path, and wants to be a doctor. "This championship will help me get into a good university to study medicine."
Indian American kids have been winning spelling bee contests for many years, showing their hard work and skill. In 1985, Balu Natrajan, a then eighth grader from Chicago became the first Indian American to win the the National Spelling Bee competition in Washington. The foundation proved fruitful for many Indian-American kids in the past decades. According to Pawan Dhingra, professor of sociology and American Studies at Amherst College, the success of Indian-Americans at the Scripps National Spelling Bee stems from the firm commitment of their families to spend the kind of time and money needed to prepare their kids. “These children are not just brilliant in spellings, they also excel in geography, mathematics and other academic competitions”, Dhingra wrote in The Conversation. Now, Bruhat Soma is the newest champion in this long line of winners. His victory highlights his effort and talent, as well as the strong focus on education in the Indian American community. Bruhat's success continues the tradition of Indian American excellence in these competitions.
(June 13, 2023) Balu Natarajan made history in 1985 as the first Indian-American child to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Since then, the Indian-American community has displayed remarkable dominance in the competition. Despite constituting only around one percent of the United States population, Indian Americans have claimed 27 Spelling Bee championships, including the most recent victor, Dev Shah, since 1999. [caption id="attachment_31021" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Indian American Dev Shah became the latest winner of Scripps National Spelling Bee[/caption] What's intriguing is that Pawan Dhingra, a sociology and American Studies professor at Amherst College, attributes the success of Indian Americans at the Scripps National Spelling Bee to their families' unwavering dedication to investing the necessary time and resources in preparing their children. Dhingra, in The Conversation, noted that these children not only excel in spelling but also demonstrate outstanding abilities in subjects like geography, mathematics, and other academic competitions. Global Indian proudly showcases the achievements of a few Scripps National Spelling Bee champions who have brought honor to our community. Dev Shah Join us in giving a big round of applause to Dev Shah, the newest spelling sensation who's already taking the world by storm at just 14 years old. Nailing
/em> proudly showcases the achievements of a few Scripps National Spelling Bee champions who have brought honor to our community.
Dev Shah
Join us in giving a big round of applause to Dev Shah, the newest spelling sensation who's already taking the world by storm at just 14 years old. Nailing the word “psammophile", which means an organism that thrives in sandy soils, the youngster walked away with a cool $50,000 cash prize from E.W. Scripps Co, the bee's sponsor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT8sBEylnZg
Hailing from Largo, Florida, Dev faced some tough competition, especially from fellow eighth-grader Charlotte Walsh, who came in second place. It all came down to the wire in the 14th round when Charlotte stumbled on "daviely," a Scottish-rooted word for feeling listless. That's when Dev saw his chance and seized it. A student at Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School aced the word "bathypitotmeter" in that same round. But according to the spelling bee rules, he needed to spell one more word correctly to be officially crowned the winner. And boy, did he deliver. Cue the confetti as Dev was crowned the ultimate champion. Way to go!
The champion also scored additional monetary prizes and some top-notch reference works from Encyclopedia Britannica and Merriam-Webster.
Harini Logan
Picture this, the competition dragged on for almost 20 grueling rounds until it finally reached a lightning round, where the top two contenders faced off in an epic spelling battle. They had a mere 90 seconds to correctly spell as many words as humanly possible. And guess what? Harini Logan totally rocked it, nailing a whopping 21 words.
Her competitor, Vikram Raju, another student of Indian descent in Grade 7 from Denver, could only manage to spell 15 words correctly, which sealed Harini's epic victory. After clinching the title, Harini, during a chat with the media, spilled the beans on her dedication to the bee. "I’ve been working towards the bee for almost six to seven years. Since I was in first or second grade. Spelling is something that sticks with you for life. Once you get into this journey, there’s a dedication you develop along with a work ethic. There’s also an added skill of networking for the bee."
Karthik Nemmani
The super chill eighth-grader from McKinney, his laid-back 17-year-old came into the Bee through this new program called RSVBee, where spellers who didn't snag a regional bee win or didn't have a sponsor still get a chance to compete with the best of them. Now, here's where things get intense. Karthik found himself in a nerve-wracking showdown against another Indian-American whiz, Naysa Modi. It was a real nail-biter. But then, plot twist—Naysa tripped up on "Bewusstseinslage," and that opened the door wide open for Karthik's victory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_yW6j2gN1w
For his epic spelling skills, Karthik snagged a cool 40,000 USD prize and a snazzy trophy from the Scripps Bee, sponsored by the EW Scripps media group. But wait, there's more! He also pocketed 2,500 bucks from Merriam-Webster, the dictionary publisher, and some other fabulous prizes.
Karthik had to nail two words correctly to secure the title, and he aced them with ease. As the confetti rained down on him, the teenager stepped back and flashed a big ol' grin. His winning word was "koinonia," which means Christian fellowship or communion. Talk about a sweet victory! When asked about it, Karthik coolly remarked, "It was just an adrenaline rush. I had confidence, but I didn’t think it would really happen."
Nihar Saireddy Janga
Get ready to be blown away by the incredible story of Nihar Saireddy Janga, the spelling prodigy who snatched the Scripps National Spelling Bee title at the tender age of 11 back in 2016. This little dude from Austin, Texas made history!
Nihar almost clinched the victory not just once, but twice during the championship rounds. How? Well, let us tell you. Another speller named Jairam Jagadeesh Hathwar also rocked the stage and ended up being declared the co-winner of the title. Talk about intense competition. But, here's what makes Nihar super cool. Instead of just asking for definitions like a regular speller, he had a unique way of doing things.
No doubt, Nihar became an absolute favorite of the audience. Everyone was rooting for him, and it's no surprise why. This young spelling sensation knew how to make his mark in the Bee in the most laid-back and memorable way possible. "I am just speechless. I can't say anything. I am only a fifth grader," Nihar said with the trophy in his hand, as he attributed his success to his mother. "My mom. It's just my mom," the Spelling Bee champion said.
Ananya Vinay
Ananya Vinay totally rocked the competition in 2017 and made history as the 13th Indian-American in a row to win the whole shebang. This 12-year-old superstar from Fresno, California, was on fire. She showed little emotion and wasted no time as she breezed through word after word. It was like she was on a mission, no messing around! But here's the best part. Ananya had her own style when it came to asking questions. Picture this: she would just blurt out questions without much intonation, like "Part of speech?" or "Language of origin?" Straight to the point, no beating around the bush. That's how she rolled, and it clearly worked like a charm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwum9Gox1d4
Unflappable to the end, Ananya seized the opportunity when her steely opponent, Rohan Rajeev, flubbed a simple-looking but obscure Scandinavian-derived word, “marram,” which means beach grass. She calmly nailed two words in a row, ending with “marocain,” which means a type of dress fabric of ribbed crepe, to win the 90th Scripps National Spelling Bee. “I knew them all,” Ananya said, after winning the trophy, adding, "It’s like a dream come true. I’m so happy right now.”
(April 24, 2024) In today's world, technology and personalised care are changing how we approach healthcare. One big change is the way data science is joining forces with healthcare. This means using information and technology to make predictions about health and tailor treatments to individuals. One of the leaders of this new revolution is Akshay Swaminathan, a scholar who is using the power of data science to improve healthcare delivery — getting the right intervention to the right patient at the right time. Currently an MD-PhD (biomedical data science) candidate at Stanford, the scholar is working with Nigam Shah on deploying and evaluating AI systems in healthcare. In fact, several of Akshay's research applying quantitative methods to public health has been featured in the New York Times and published in journals including Lancet Global Health. "I recently received the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans," shared the scholar in an interview, "It is such an honour and privilege to be a part of a group of scholars who have been doing incredible work in various fields." A prodigy Hailing from Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, Akshay Swaminathan was born to Indian immigrants from Tamil Nadu and consistently excelled academically. His
sy Soros Fellowships for New Americans," shared the scholar in an interview, "It is such an honour and privilege to be a part of a group of scholars who have been doing incredible work in various fields."
A prodigy
Hailing from Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, Akshay Swaminathan was born to Indian immigrants from Tamil Nadu and consistently excelled academically. His paternal grandparents relocated to Westchester, New York in 1969, becoming one of the few Indian families in the vicinity. Despite the challenges of assimilation, they preserved their cultural heritage, instilling in Akshay a deep appreciation from an early age, particularly through his initiation into Carnatic music. These formative experiences underscored the significance of transcending generational, linguistic, and social divides to foster meaningful connections with others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfCS7BQZdsc
During his initial year at Bergen County Academies, he stumbled upon an online enclave of polyglots—individuals fluent in 10, 15, or even 20 languages, showcasing their learning journeys through videos. Captivated by their achievements, the Global Indian embarked on self-directed Spanish study, achieving proficiency within six months. His triumph with Spanish ignited a passion for learning numerous other languages, including French, Mandarin, Japanese, Armenian, Italian, Portuguese, and Hindi. Following in the footsteps of those who inspired him, the scholar launched his own YouTube channel, sharing insights on rapid and efficient language acquisition techniques.
"In my first year in high school, I got placed in the lowest level Spanish class, and my teacher could speak four languages. That was quite fascinating to me. That led me to YouTube, where I discovered this community of polyglots. What was interesting for me was that they not only spoke these languages but also made videos explaining how they did it. That planted a seed and I started learning Spanish. Within six months, I was fluent in the language. And then, there was no looking back," shared the scholar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l25Cl1cyHYA
Eventually, Akshay Swaminathan started making videos on YouTube to inspire others to learn more languages. "By the time I was 17, I could already speak nine languages - English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Chinese, Tamil, Russian, Hindi, and Italian. I learned the other two languages subsequently," he added. While at Harvard, Akshay discovered the joy of connecting with people from different backgrounds using languages. In fact, he is the founder of Start Speaking — a platform to help language learners build spoken fluency — and has created resources for languages ranging from Quechua to Medical Chinese.
At Harvard, the scholar became involved in Phillip Brooks House Association’s Chinatown ESL program, where he taught English to recent Chinese immigrants. He also travelled to Bolivia as a volunteer with Refresh Bolivia — a global health nonprofit — where he taught workshops on maternal health, sexual health, and sanitation to indigenous communities in Cochabamba.
"I always wanted to be a doctor, right from when I was in school. So, when I got to college, biology was an obvious choice for me. But during the first year of winter break, I had the chance to travel down to Bolivia to get involved with some public work there with some indigenous communities. One thing that really struck me there was that the communities that we worked with had no running water, no functioning sewage system, and very limited access to healthcare. However, just a 30-minute drive away, I and the other volunteers could enjoy high-speed wifi and hot showers. This got me thinking about how the level of population determines the healthcare system of a place. The more I researched about it, the more I got interested in the field, and that made me switch my major from molecular biology to statistics."
But what exactly does delivering healthcare mean? "It's all about getting the right treatment, to the right patient, at the right time. Throughout my career I have had the chance to dive into many projects where one can combine data science with healthcare delivery and improve access and outcomes of various programmes," the scholar said.
In his role as a data scientist, the scholar constructs data-driven solutions tailored for patients, clinicians, and policymakers, prioritising practical implementation in real-world scenarios. With a prolific portfolio boasting over 40 publications, he adeptly applies quantitative methodologies to address healthcare challenges. Additionally, the scholar co-authored the book Winning with Data Science, published by Columbia University Press, further solidifying his expertise in the field.
Leading the Data Science department at Cerebral, a virtual mental health company, Akshay and his team introduced a suicide detection system benefiting more than half a million patients nationwide. Currently an MD candidate and a Knight-Hennessy Scholar at Stanford University, Akshay is delving into a PhD in biomedical data science. Guided by Nigam Shah, he's exploring ways to harness artificial intelligence for safer and more efficient healthcare delivery.
At Flatiron Health, he has devised techniques for scrutinising observational clinical data to aid FDA deliberations. With aspirations to merge data science and medicine, he aims to become a physician dedicated to fortifying healthcare infrastructures in underprivileged regions.
(June 7, 2023) Pratishtha Deveshwar was just 13 when a tragic car accident left her paralysed down the waist. The sudden turn of events left her confined to a hospital bed for four months and subsequently forced her to spend three years bedridden. Returning to school was an impossible dream at first as her school wasn't wheelchair accessible. Moreover, people around them had given their verdict that her life was over, asking her parents to buy her a shop in her hometown of Hoshiarpur in Punjab to at least earn a livelihood. But Pratishtha defied societal expectations and embarked on an extraordinary journey of education, empowerment, and advocacy. The Diana Award recipient is the first Indian wheel-chair user to study at Oxford University, along with being one of the youngest and most vocal disability rights activists in India. It was a normal life for Pratishtha until October 2011, when owing to a spinal cord injury she was left paralysed. She woke up in the ICU days later to immense pain in her hands and chest but couldn't feel anything below her waist. She was told by the doctor, 'You will never be able to walk again.' At that moment she
' At that moment she felt her dreams, life, and aspirations had come to an end. She was later shifted to a normal hospital bed where she ended up spending the next four months. But due to the gravity of the situation, she was bedridden for another four years, until she decided to take charge of her life. Being written off by society, she knew the only way to get out of it was through the power of education. "People kept telling my parents to face facts and buy me a shop, so I might at least have a livelihood. Never mind what I wanted: career, marriage, travel; all these things were unthinkable according to conventional wisdom," the Global Indian wrote in Somerville Magazine.
But her parents encouraged her to study as she worked with her teachers and friends to find a way to continue her studies. She finally found a system and worked hard to clear her Class 12 boards. "I always knew that I could overcome my situation only with education. So, after 12th, I told my parents that I don’t want to live inside the four walls of my home anymore; I deserve better. I applied to LSR, and got admission! That changed my life,” she told HT. However, it came with its share of prejudices as many people didn't find logic in sending a wheelchair-bound girl to the university. "Those people just saw the wheelchair; they never looked beyond it to the contents of my mind or my heart. It was around this time that I first thought of advocacy not just for myself but for all people with disabilities - of which there are 28 million in India."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaGnzeGZ8y4
LSR gave her the wings as for the first time she found a safe space to be herself, surrounded by a supportive community of women who encouraged her to share her story. This was her first step towards activism, and it started right outside the gates of her college in Delhi. She met people who wanted to listen to her story and share theirs. But it was one encounter that moved her the most. "A shopkeeper invited me to visit his shop and make it wheelchair accessible. All the alterations I suggested were completed within five days of my visit. This, I learned, is how activism works: by meeting people, listening to their stories, and telling your own, until you find common ground."
Soon she began sharing her story at other DU colleges and slowly started getting more attention. She led to an invitation to speak at the UN, and it snowballed as she was then asked to join the Asia Pacific Regional Office in Bangkok and later in Nairobi. With each platform, she got an opportunity to create awareness which won her the Diana Award in 2021 for her activism for disability rights. This led her to the gates of Oxford University for a Masters in Public Policy, making her the first Indian wheelchair-user to study at Oxford University. "I realized that the cause of constant marginalization of persons with disabilities (PwDs) is the lack of inclusive policies, hence I opted for Public Policy. I want to come back to India to use the experience and knowledge by facilitating policy-level changes to improve the lives of PwDs," she said.
Earlier this month , I had the incredible honour of meeting HRH Prince Charles, who commended my achievements so far and encouraged me to keep striving for success!
I am grateful to be the recipient of The Diana Award and thank every person supporting my journey! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HdLdg1lTUW
— Pratishtha Deveshwar (@iiampratishtha) June 29, 2021
It was at Oxford that her course reinforced ideas of activism that she had built up over the years. "I had expected Public Policy to teach me how to use the system to leverage change. It asked us to look beyond the numbers and create the right solution by empathising with the affected people," she added.
The 23-year-old was honoured by the UK Parliament with the India-UK Achievers Award recently for her outstanding contribution to society. She is back in India and keen to share the things she has learnt in the last few years. "While I may be the first wheelchair-using Indian to attend Oxford, I don't intend to be the last."
(October 11, 2024) As Navratri festivities sweep across India, the cultural vibrancy of Garba, a traditional Gujarati folk dance and song brings people together in devotion and celebration. This year, the festival shines even brighter for young singer Purva Mantri, who got a unique opportunity to sing a Garba song penned by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Known as the 'Indian Shakira,' Purva's energetic and mesmerising performances have become a Navratri staple over the years, drawing thousands to her shows in the previous years. No wonder when the PM penned a song for this year’s Navratri, Purva was chosen to give her voice to his lyrics. PM’s lyrics, Purva’s voice In a heartfelt message shared on X, Prime Minister Modi introduced the Garba song he wrote, titled Aavati Kalay, as a tribute to Goddess Durga. The Prime Minister lauded Purva for her "melodious rendition" and recognized her as a talented artist who truly brought the song to life. Purva Mantri who is just back from a five-city US tour calls herself “blessed and honoured” to get the opportunity to sing on a song penned by none other than PM Modi. She recorded the track and shot the music
d Aavati Kalay, as a tribute to Goddess Durga. The Prime Minister lauded Purva for her "melodious rendition" and recognized her as a talented artist who truly brought the song to life.
Purva Mantri who is just back from a five-city US tour calls herself “blessed and honoured” to get the opportunity to sing on a song penned by none other than PM Modi. She recorded the track and shot the music video in just 24 hours. "This is really big for an artist and a citizen. I feel blessed. I am grateful and honoured to be part of this big track. I have tears in my eyes," said the Global Indianwho has been involved with the world of music through stage shows, independent music and playback singing.
Mastering the art of live performances
For Purva who has been inclined towards music since she was a child, performing live during the high-energy nights of Navratri is an annual affair. With over 15,000 people attending her Garba and Dandiya nights in Surat each year, she has established herself as a dynamic voice in the music world. Reflecting on her journey, she shared in an interview, " My very first memory of performing during Navratri is from Rajkot when I performed at a proper ten-day Navratri event.” After giving multiple performances at Rajkot and Porbandar, the artist moved to Mumbai a few years back to try her luck, and started doing small events.
Her talent got identified by the founders of the band Bamboo Beats who hail from Gujarat. The Garba songs that she sang in collaboration with the band are very special to her because even after many years people dance to those tunes.
Despite the challenges of consistently delivering electrifying performances, Purva Mantri finds her energy from the audience. "The audience is my oxygen," she said. "When they come to see me perform, I think they should leave feeling it was worth it. Their energy fuels me, and even when I’m tired or jet-lagged, their positivity keeps me going." This connection with her audience has become her secret to sustaining high-octane performances throughout the festive season.
One of her most memorable experiences was during her first solo event in Surat. "There were around 15,000 people, and I got on stage with my own band for the very first time. After the show, an uncle who was in his 70s came to me with his grandson, and told her in Gujrati that his grandson calls her ‘Indian Shakiraben’. “I’ll never forget this line and it was very important to me because they felt that energy from there,” she remarked.
The global stage: Purvastic Tour 2024
While Purva has impressed Indian audiences for years, her recent Purvastic Tour 2024 took her talent to the United States. The tour, which kicked off in Atlanta, spanned major U.S. cities such as Dallas, Chicago, and Seattle, among others. Purva got an opportunity to showcase her indie music and her iconic fusion of singing with the Puneri Dhol. "Blending the Puneri Dhol with my singing has been a way to connect my Indian roots with a global audience. It’s thrilling to see how well it resonates," Purva remarked.
Purva carried her 27kg Puneri dhol to every city on her U.S. tour. It all started with an impromptu dhol act during a live show in Surat a few months back. She never imagined it would gain such popularity. “Playing the 27kg dhol while singing has become my USP,” she remarks. She gets calls from all over India to perform with it. So, she made it a point to carry it to the U.S. as well.
While performing she is so connected with the audience that she does not feel the weight of the dhol says the singer who wraps the strap of the dhol around her neck, so that it's well supported.
The power of positivity
Amidst the fast-paced music industry, Purva remains grounded, drawing strength from her father’s wisdom. "He once told me, “I know that you were meditating on stage. If performing is meditation for you, you will never fail. Just keep meditating like this.” Those words have stayed with her, and every time she performs, she remembers her father’s words and treats her performance as an act of meditation on stage.
Though the singer’s journey has been full of accomplishments, Purva acknowledges the challenges that come with it. "There is always a struggle. Even legends like Mr. Amitabh Bachchan continue to work hard to stay where they are. In this industry, you need to grow and adapt every day. But I love what I do, and my ultimate aim is to spread positivity and touch as many lives as possible."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJtUfRmVNJQ
Purva Mantri has observed that even audiences abroad connect with her due to this quality. Sharing an incident, she mentioned, “When I performed in New Zealand, several foreigners were also part of the event because they love our Indian culture. They went back home smiling and said, 'There are a lot of singers who come to Australia and New Zealand. But the positivity which you give on stage is different.’” Purva finds these comments as her accomplishment and inspiration.
Looking ahead: Tomorrowland dreams
With dreams of performing at Tomorrowland (one of the most popular annual music festivals in the world held in Belgium), Purva’s ambitions extend far beyond her current achievements. "They say when you perform at Tomorrowland, the whole earth moves. I want to see people dancing and jumping to my voice. It’s a big international dream that I am working toward," she said. In addition to her live performances, Purva is also exploring Bollywood playback opportunities.
As Purva continues to push the boundaries of her musical journey, her fusion of tradition and innovation, along with her infectious energy, ensures she remains a rising star in the Indian music industry and beyond.
Bruhat Soma with his parents[/caption]
