Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveGame on: Rise of India’s young gamers in the global arena

Game on: Rise of India’s young gamers in the global arena

Written by: Team GI Youth

(January 6, 2024) Let me confess. Back in my growing-up days, if a youngster had expressed a desire to pursue a career in the gaming industry to their parents, a stern lecture would likely have followed. However, it’s remarkable how much has changed in just the last five years. India has emerged as a global leader in the mobile gaming market, boasting the highest number of app downloads.

A couple of years ago, the nation proudly claimed 421 million online gamers, and this figure has witnessed an impressive eight percent growth in 2023. What’s intriguing is that the driving force behind this surge is not solely composed of multi-million-dollar companies, but rather young teenagers. These individuals are not just participating in the gaming scene; they are actively shaping the future of the industry.

Representative image

According to a recent survey, over 80 percent of Generation Z has engaged in computer gaming in the past year, surpassing Millennials by 50 percent. Their commitment is evident in the staggering statistic that they spend nearly 80 hours per week immersed in gaming. Some of these young Indian gamers have not only played and live-streamed their gaming sessions but have also garnered millions of viewers on YouTube, achieving both fame and considerable wealth.

Global Indian turns the spotlight on some of the industry’s top players, highlighting how they are not only changing the game but also influencing the trajectory of the entire gaming landscape.

Akarsh Chaudhary aka Vivone

The youngest of this e-gaming army, Vivone is a seven-year-old gamer from Mumbai, who has not just participated in but also won several tournaments. The young kid began his gaming journey at four, after watching his father playing popular games such as PubG on his mobile. Having a huge following of 108K followers on Instagram and more than four lakh subscribers on his YouTube channel, Vivone has produced over 6000 live streams and videos. “I recently took part in the SkyEsports Streamers Showdown, where I played against several top gamers from across the country. I won the first prize of ₹15 lakh, even my opponents were impressed with the way I played in the tournament,” the gamer shared during an interview.

Earning an average of $6000-7000 per month through live-streaming games, Vivone is now gearing up to represent India in international tournaments. “When I started playing, I never thought I would have so many followers and subscribers. Now, my only goal is to dominate in international tournaments. Right now, I am looking for under-13 age group tournaments being organised mainly in the US, Europe, Korea, and China,” shared the young gamer.

Follow Vivone on Instagram and Twitter, or subscribe to his YouTube channel

Ajay aka Total Gaming

A YouTube sensation boasting an impressive 38.2 million subscribers, initially ventured into gaming by playing smartphone titles like Clash of Clans in 2015. The gamer then transitioned to Garena Free Fire, influenced by the game’s growing popularity among his friends in India. However, it wasn’t until 2018 that Ajay officially launched his YouTube channel, focusing on playing and streaming computer games.

Balancing his gaming pursuits, Ajay also works as a freelance “growth hacker” in Surat. In an interview, he revealed that his initial motive for diving into gaming was simply to make friends. “I started with the intent of making friends and playing games, and I was thrilled to see three to four people joining me in watching and playing,” he shared. Ajay has achieved notable success, winning several tournaments both in India and internationally.

Beyond his gaming achievements, Ajay holds the distinction of being the first individual in India to provide Hindi dubbing for an English game, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Reflecting on this accomplishment, he mentioned, “People widely accepted and engaged with that series, and I am working on more such content to stand out in the gaming market.”

Follow Total Gaming on Instagram or subscribe to his YouTube channel

Ujjwal Chaurasia aka Techno Gamerz

Recognised as one of India’s premier gamers, Ujjwal has amassed a substantial following of 37.6 million on his YouTube channel. Originating from New Delhi, Ujjwal embarked on his gaming journey at a young age, fuelled by a childhood passion for video games. His inaugural gaming experience involved the classic Snow Bros, a game he first encountered at his brother’s residence. As he matured, Ujjwal’s interest shifted towards the immersive world of GTA: Vice City.

Reflecting on his introduction to the open-world genre, the gamer expressed, “I hadn’t played any open-world games before that, and it was a blast. The game lets you do everything from driving to fighting other people and stealing vehicles, and so much more.”

Ujjwal’s ascent to fame is credited to his captivating and dynamic storytelling style while playing games, a factor that continues to contribute to the consistent growth of his channel. Sharing his perspective, he stated, “My priority has always been to entertain the audience while playing games like GTA, and I strive to deliver unique and fresh content with each episode. Maintaining that level of creativity is the biggest challenge I face while making my videos.”

Follow Techno Gamerz on Instagram, or subscribe to his YouTube channel

Shagufta Iqbal aka Xyaa

A former software engineer turned prominent gamer, Xyaa has not only represented the country in numerous tournaments but has also established partnerships with major brands such as Intel, Logitech, and Loco for various events. Specialising in Valorant, Xyaa has been streaming on YouTube since 2012 – making her the first female online gamer in the country – amassing an impressive 285K subscribers. When discussing her current gaming preferences, she shared, “I am currently engrossed in CS: GO, Dota 2, H1Z1, and the Dark Souls series. However, I also have a deep affection for titles like Skyrim, the Witcher series, Rust, and Dying Light. I particularly enjoy casual streaming.”

Despite her success, navigating the gaming landscape as a female hasn’t been without its challenges. While Xyaa’s streams enjoy significant popularity, she has encountered instances of cyberbullying. Addressing this aspect of her journey, she remarked, “There are a few haters. As a female gamer, some may feel that I do not deserve to be on this platform. Ups and downs are part of the journey, but the support from my fans far outweighs the negativity.”

Follow Xyaa on Instagram or subscribe to her YouTube channel

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Published on 06, Jan 2024

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Arjun Sharda: Texas teen blending learning and networking with TLEEM

(June 26, 2024) 'We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise, why else even be here?' This quote of Steve Jobs is one of the favourites of Texas teen Arjun Sharda. “The thought resonates deeply with me and has become my life mission,” he tells Global Indian. Last year, the 13-year-old founded TLEEM, which stands for Technology, Leadership, Engineering, Entrepreneurship and Math to help K12 students network and excel in these fields. Within months Arjun and his team have formed 15 chapters of TLEEM across seven countries. Inspired by Steve Jobs' salesmanship, the teenager has even authored a book titled 'The Salesperson's Direction to Clients'. Pushing his limits, the youngster has been establishing himself as a social entrepreneur, author, speaker, and programmer. [caption id="attachment_38383" align="aligncenter" width="596"] Arjun Sharda[/caption] Arjun is happy about the early milestones of TLEEM. For helping K12 students build a learning network at an early age, his venture has received a $500 USD donation from the Salice Family Foundation. “This contribution will support our future programs and general operating costs. We are incredibly thankful for this generous donation,” remarks the teenager who has spoken at events like DevOpsDays Austin and DevelopersWeek as one of the

ight="457" /> Arjun Sharda[/caption]

Arjun is happy about the early milestones of TLEEM. For helping K12 students build a learning network at an early age, his venture has received a $500 USD donation from the Salice Family Foundation. “This contribution will support our future programs and general operating costs. We are incredibly thankful for this generous donation,” remarks the teenager who has spoken at events like DevOpsDays Austin and DevelopersWeek as one of the youngest speakers.

Turning passion into social entrepreneurship

With TLEEM, Arjun aims to empower students to develop skills that schools might not teach by creating a learning network. “We're tomorrow. We're the next leaders and CEOs. If someone has a burning passion for something, they should be able to follow it, regardless of age. And I think that networking plays a big role in being able to follow it,” he remarks.

From a young age, Arjun developed a keen interest in technology, leadership, entrepreneurship, engineering, and math. He started coding at the age of seven and has since developed expertise in Python, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, TypeScript, and Java, contributing to various open-source projects available on platforms like GitHub. Some of his significant projects include Searchor, TimeConv, and Passeo. “These are being used by businesses and individuals,” he shares, adding, “I also attended an engineering class and participated in a gifted program called PACE Math where seventh-grade students studied eighth-grade mathematics.”

[caption id="attachment_38384" align="aligncenter" width="372"] Arjun Sharda[/caption]

However, his school did not have a club that supported his multidisciplinary interests. Determined to pursue his passions, Arjun founded a school club and named it TLEEM. In this endeavour, he received support not only from his schoolmates but also from teachers and the assistant principal of his school.

Creating milestones

When Arjun and his friends started posting about TLEEM’S activities on online forums, they were delighted to receive interest from youngsters in other parts of the globe and within a short frame of time TLEEM grew into an organisation with 15 chapters across seven countries. “We have chapters in countries like Morocco, Indonesia, Croatia, Slovakia, India, and the USA,” Arjun says. TLEEM provides options for two types of chapters - school chapters and community chapters.

[caption id="attachment_38385" align="aligncenter" width="727"] Arjun Sharda[/caption]

Interspersing love for technology, marketing and writing

Apart from his deep interest in technology, it was curiosity that led Arjun to self-publish the book, ‘'The Salesperson's Direction to Clients' which is his personal analysis of the sales data of companies such as Apple and Google.

“While searching for a new phone online, I got curious about how big companies like Apple, Google, and Samsung sell their products. For example, how does Apple manage to sell iPhones for $1,000 and make a fortune, even though Google's Pixel or Samsung smartphones might have better technical specifications for the same price or even cheaper?” he remarks.

Intrigued, he researched and found interesting information about Apple's marketing strategies. For instance, a simple design and easy-to-use interface attract more customers, even if another phone brand has better technical specifications, as customers want comfort. “I wrote a short book about my findings and published it in April 2023, using Amazon KDP and Draft2Digital, LLC. I was just 11 at that time,” he says.

[caption id="attachment_38386" align="aligncenter" width="446"] Arjun Sharda[/caption]

Support from family

Happy about his accomplishments and TLEEM’s growth, Arjun thanks his mother for being a significant contributor, especially with the paperwork required to make TLEEM a registered 501(c)(3) organisation.

Born in Santa Clara, California, Arjun lives with his parents in Austin, Texas. “My parents are from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and moved to the United States in 2008. I have an intelligent and loving brother, Arin, who will be turning four in a few days,” says the youngster, who is also a contributor to GREY Journal and the editor-in-chief of Generation Insider magazine.

Follow Arjun Sharda on LinkedIn

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Tech prodigy to cyber security mogul: Trishneet Arora’s impact on India’s digital security landscape

(November 18, 2023) When most kids his age were stressed about picking the right subject for their undergraduate course, then 18-year-old Trishneet Arora had already made up his mind to leave the path of formal education, and work full-time on developing his entrepreneurial venture. Already a cyber-security pro, Ludhiana-based Trishneet had designed the prototype of several platforms to protect a website from any kind of attack. He asked his father for ₹75,000 as seed money and used it to start his company, TAC Security. Providing services to many multinational enterprises and government agencies, including Reliance Industries, Central Bureau of Investigation, Punjab Police, and Gujarat Police, Trishneet's company is currently counted among the Top 10 cyber security companies in the world. [caption id="attachment_34186" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Trishneet Arora, CEO, TAC Security[/caption] An ethical hacker, the young entrepreneur has been featured in Forbes’ 30 under 30 Asia, making him the youngest Indian to be featured on the list. "TAC Security is a friendly hacker that helps corporate companies recognise its weaknesses before the fraudulent hackers can use them adversely,” the cyber security expert explained during an interview, adding, "We focus on providing specialised services called Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing. The former helps

eaknesses before the fraudulent hackers can use them adversely,” the cyber security expert explained during an interview, adding, "We focus on providing specialised services called Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing. The former helps to discover the security loopholes present in organisation’s systems but does not exploit the vulnerabilities. The latter is employed to demonstrate how damaging security vulnerabilities could be in a real cyber-attack." Currently based out of New Mexico, the United States, Trishneet's net worth is estimated to be around USD 5 million.

Starting young

When Trishneet was just eight years old, his father bought him a second-hand computer. A curious cat, Trishneet ended up dismantling the computer. While he wasn't able to put it back together, his father made him sit with the mechanic to understand each component and where they go to make the machine work. This incident inspired the young boy to start learning about the computer's hardware and software, and eventually, the cyber security expert managed to hack his father's computer in 2007.

[caption id="attachment_34185" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The Nasdaq billboard at New York's iconic Times Square displayed a congratulatory message to TAC Security for being poised to become the largest company in vulnerability management[/caption]

A huge turning point in his journey came when he failed his eighth standard, and decided to teach himself the nuances of ethical hacking and cyber security. Realising their son's potential his parents supported his decision. The rest, as they say "was history". In about four years, Trishneet became an ethical hacker, able to hack any computer in the world. And thus began his journey of entrepreneurship. "The whole journey started with just ₹75,000 and reached this level. But it is not about achievement. Nor the destination. It is about the journey. Meeting new people and new customers, solving their problems of cybersecurity, hiring the right people and a strong leadership team, leading a profitable venture, expanding abroad… all of this has been phenomenal,” the Global Indian said in an interview.

A stellar entrepreneur

When he started his journey, many did not even know what an "ethical hacker" does. "In the beginning when I told people I am an ethical hacker, they often mistook me for a criminal. Now I am changing their thoughts hacking can be ethical," shares the cyber security pro in an interview. Soon after he launched his company in 2013, Trishneet got an opportunity to deliver a keynote speech with former Minister of Finance, Yashwant Sinha, at a Business Relation Conference held in Gujarat. It was here that the young entrepreneur met his first clients. After listening to his speech, a few senior officials from the Gujarat Police Department asked him to organise a workshop for the crime branch personnel. Soon, he was approached by officials of the Punjab Police for similar workshops.

[caption id="attachment_34184" align="aligncenter" width="603"] On the 75th Independence Day of India, Trishneet was honoured to launch his Survey on Cyber Security supported by the National Cyber Security Coordinator of India, Lt.Gen Rajesh Pant[/caption]

While Trishneet was garnering fame, his company needed funding to grow. The youngster took a huge chance in 2016 when he approached prominent investor Vijay Kedia to fund his enterprise. "After we received the funding, we increased our momentum and set up the headquarters of TAC Security in San Francisco, California. Within a few months, TAC Security had a sizeable customer base in the North American market and the team secured Fortune 500 companies through its SaaS product," he shared.

Today, TAC Security has an impressive list of over 150 global clients and partners including the HDFC, BhartiAirtel, Reliance, National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI), NSDL, and various government agencies. "We are responsible for the end-to-end security assessment of all UPI-based applications and since 2017, have worked closely with the National Payments Corporation of India. TAC Security has been appreciated multiple times by NPCI for being a part of Prime Minister Modi's "Digital India" vision," he explained in an interview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7DuzczlKFg

The author of two bestselling books, Hacking with Smart Phones and Hacking Talk with Trishneet Arora, the young cyber security pro has won several awards over the last decade, including Global Leader of Tomorrow, by St. Gallen Symposium, Fortune India 40 Under 40, and 50 most influential young Indians by GQ Magazine. In fact, filmmaker Sunil Bohra is working on a biographical film on Trishneet's life, which is scheduled to be directed by Hansal Mehta.

Follow Trishneet Arora on Instagram and LinkedIn

Reading Time: 6 mins

Rishab Jain: Indian-American teen’s algorithm can help fight pancreatic cancer

(March 24, 2023) He was just 13 when he won the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge for coming up with an algorithm that uses artificial intelligence to help doctors target the pancreas during cancer treatment. Meet Portland-born-and-raised Rishab Jain, who is currently a research intern at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The young Indian American has created an algorithm could change the way doctors target the pancreas while treating cancer, as they are difficult to spot due to their movement. Currently, doctors target radiation in the area they believe the pancreas is, in the process also killing other healthy cells. "In the radiotherapy treatment where radiation is applied to kill tumour cells, my tool tracks the pancreas in the scan itself. When the radiation hits, it hits the pancreas accurately and efficiently so it can help treat the tumour much more effectively," the 17-year-old told TIME. [caption id="attachment_28676" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Rishab Jain[/caption] It was in the summer of 2017 that Rishab, who is among TIME’s 25 Most Influential Teens, first became interested in pancreatic cancer during his trip to Boston to meet his brother, where he learnt about the low survival rate and its deadliness. It is the third leading

��s 25 Most Influential Teens, first became interested in pancreatic cancer during his trip to Boston to meet his brother, where he learnt about the low survival rate and its deadliness. It is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US and is the eighth most common cancer in women. In India, it has a 98 percent mortality rate, says Rishab.

"Currently, pancreatic cancer is detected in a late stage, and by then, doctors try to use radiotherapy to help treat it, but most of the time, it's not effective enough, so I got inspired to do some research on this because I'm a big programmer, and I like artificial intelligence, so I wondered if I could combine my knowledge in the two areas to help solve the problem," the Global Indian said at TedTalk. That's what led to the creation of an AI-based tool called PCDLS (pancreatic cancer deep learning system) Net to improve pancreas tracking during a treatment called radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer.

In the process, he contacted 253 doctors and received replies from 30 leading experts from institutions at cancer centres and around the world. He found that it's hard to find the exact location of the pancreas, as the stomach and liver cover most of the area. During the radiation, millions of healthy cells are also affected by collateral damage. "My tool is able to reduce that area to around four millimetres, so that saves millions of healthy cells and can improve patient quality of care," he added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BKavLDGa0k&t=268s

The teenager is of the opinion that his algorithm can be incorporated in the hospital’s existing radiography equipment or be incorporated directly into new machines, and is in touch with doctors in implementing the idea.

Rishab, who also won the 2022 Regeneron Science Talent Search, wants to become a biomedical engineer and help make a difference in other people's lives. He is also the founder of a non-profit, Samyak Science Society, which helps promote STEM learning for children who didn't have the same opportunity as him and raise pancreatic cancer awareness.

Follow Rishab Jain on LinkedIn

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Anmol Narang: Breaking barriers as a trailblazing Sikh-American in the U.S. Army

(July 5, 2024) The U.S. has an estimated 750,000 Sikh-Americans. Anmol Narang made history when, at the age of 23, she became the first observant Sikh to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point in 2020. It was a dream come true for the young officer to pass out from the most famous military academy in the world with more than a 200-year-old history. As the saying goes, ‘where there is a will, there is a way’, she recalled mailing her application to West Point, the military academy in the US from a hotel in Hawaii during her junior year of high school. She had just visited the Pearl Harbor National Memorial there and had felt inspired to serve. “Gender and religion do not hinder a person’s ability to be successful,” Anmol said, adding, “That’s the great thing about the United States military is that it brings together people from all corners of the world.” [caption id="attachment_38497" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Anmol Narang[/caption] After completing a rigorous four-year training programme at the 222-year-old U.S. Military Academy, Anmol Narang finished her Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. She then reported to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, for

dian Youth | Anmol Narang | Global Indian " width="705" height="594" /> Anmol Narang[/caption]

After completing a rigorous four-year training programme at the 222-year-old U.S. Military Academy, Anmol Narang finished her Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. She then reported to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, for her first posting, as a second lieutenant. After a year of her posting there, she was conferred the Federally Employed Women (FEW) Meritorious Service Award for her outstanding performance.

Inspired by her grandfather

Growing up in Roswell, Georgia, Anmol found the real stories her maternal grandfather, a veteran of the Indian Army, “very fascinating.” Her career choice to enter the Army was a natural progression. “The idea of a career in the Army seemed appealing” to her, even when she was young and didn’t know how to make it a part of her life.

Her grandfather, who served in the Indian Army in the 1960s and 70s, instilled in her the values of service and giving back to the community. A visit to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii during a trip strengthened her desire to follow her grandfather’s example. Learning about the sacrifices of service members, and the results of those sacrifices was very impactful on her impressionable mind.

[caption id="attachment_38498" align="aligncenter" width="478"] Anmol Narang[/caption]

When she graduated from the US Military Academy, excited and happy to be fulfilling her dream, she remarked, “The confidence and support of my community back home in Georgia has been deeply meaningful to me, and I am humbled that in reaching this goal, I am showing other Sikh Americans that any career path is possible for anyone willing to rise to the challenge.”

Choosing the air defence branch

Anmol Narang had pursued a year of undergraduate studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology before joining West Point military academy, where she studied nuclear engineering which led her to a career path in air defence.

Upon graduating from the U.S. Military Academy, Anmol chose the air defense branch. “Air defense units play a pivotal role in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region and help ensure that events like the bombing of Pearl Harbor don’t happen again,” Anmol had shared, explaining her choice. She highlighted that she was honoured to share such an important mission in the Pacific with her teammates.

Anmol went on to serve as the fire control platoon leader for Delta Battery, 1-1 ADA (Air Defense Artillery) which consisted of a diverse group of soldiers who operated U.S. Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) systems.

[caption id="attachment_38503" align="aligncenter" width="505"] Anmol Narang[/caption]

Outstanding performance in service

After a year at Kadena Air Base in Japan, Lieutenant Anmol Narang was awarded the Federally Employed Women (FEW) Meritorious Service Award during the annual FEW virtual leadership conference.

FEW’s Military Meritorious Service Awards recognise outstanding military service members within the Armed Forces who have distinguished themselves through significant contributions to their service in the US.

For her consistent engagement with subordinates and mentoring of female soldiers in Delta Battery, she got nominated by one of her mentors, Lt. Col. Rosanna Clemente, former commander of 1-1 ADA, and finally won the award.

Through her journey of becoming the first observant Sikh to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy and her dedicated performance as a soldier, Anmol Narang has been an inspiration for young people to pursue their dreams, regardless of gender or religion.

Follow Anmol Narang on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 5 mins

Tiya Madhavan: A passion for painting to create awareness

(February 22, 2024) Ever since she can recall, Tiya Madhavan has been sketching and painting. Now 18, she has received accolades for her original pieces, exhibited at various local and national galleries, started an art charity initiative, conducted art classes for senior citizens, and hopes to make the world a better place through creating works of art that inspire change. [caption id="attachment_36033" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Tiya at Carnegie Hall for the National Scholastic Art Competition Ceremony, 2022[/caption] The multi-talented Tiya is also an accomplished student, designer, ballet dancer, pianist [she won first place for a solo piano performance for the Illinois Music Association] and used to paint as a child, along with her older sister Sana. She says, "We were very hands-on, creating crafts together and painting. This is the one consistent hobby that has stuck with me." Art for a cause To hone her skills, her parents enrolled her for arts classes, but Tiya didn't attend them for long. She tells Global Indian, "I felt I was being restricted to a medium and a material; I had to paint what the teachers told me to. But I wanted to paint what I chose as subjects; deeper content and themes that

her for arts classes, but Tiya didn't attend them for long. She tells Global Indian, "I felt I was being restricted to a medium and a material; I had to paint what the teachers told me to. But I wanted to paint what I chose as subjects; deeper content and themes that conveyed an emotion. I stopped attending them as I could paint much better at my workstation at home."

As Tiya grew up, her interest in societal imperfections increased. She reveals, "I wanted to bring out social deformities through my art. Social justice, activism, feminism – I was drawn to all these subjects."

Tiya has always been committed to doing more with her art for the larger good. To support health workers through fund raising during the pandemic, Tiya, along with help from her father, set up a website artelligance.org. People could upload pictures they wanted to convert into paintings and Tiya would do the needful. She says, "I got several orders to paint family members, friends, pets … and I raised 1000 USD in profits, which was used to pay for meals for 375 health workers in India.”

However, academic pressure led to the shutting down of the website. However, she has plans of opening a new one where she would sell the prints of her work. “I have gotten several offers for my paintings but I have a strong connection with them so I plan to sell prints, not the originals.”

[caption id="attachment_36041" align="aligncenter" width="583"] The Optimist by Tiya Madhavan[/caption]

Painting for awareness

Speaking of her artworks, Tiya’s paintings are the kind that make you think. A young woman wearing a robe and carrying an umbrella patterned with white clouds, a blue sky and a rainbow; while behind her, the flood streets and buildings are painted in shades of black and grey is a significant one. Titled The Optimist, the piece represents the hope and optimism to look for in the face of darkness and uncertainty. The painting won the 2020 US Congressional Art Competition in the Sixth Congressional District in Illinois and was displayed at the US Congressional Office in Washington DC from July 2020 to July 2021.

Another called The Survivor has the face of a woman emerging from blackish water, trying to stay afloat. A self-portrait of a young Tiya with her sister titled Admiration, and other self-portraits like a piece called Living in Color where a paint brush is adding a strip of colour to her face which is in black and white make a lasting impression.

But the most striking and perhaps the one most representative of the time she painted it is that of an African-American woman, with a mask covering her mouth called The Mask of 2020. The mask is in the shape of two hands, with fingers inter-twined. It represents Covid and the Black Lives Matter movement. Tiya reveals that it was her interpretation of everything that was going wrong in the world at that time. “The Covid-19 pandemic was on; the Black Lives Matter movement was at its peak and I wanted to express my views on it through my art.”

She won the gold medal at the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards; as well as the American Visions Award, 2022, which is awarded to less than one percent of artists, for The Mask of 2020. The painting was displayed at the Downing Museum in Kentucky and the Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa.

[caption id="attachment_36038" align="aligncenter" width="622"] The Mask 2020 by Tiya Madhavan[/caption]

Recalling the ceremony that she attended in New York for the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, she says, "We flew to New York to attend the ceremony at the Carnegie Hall. It was really nice because I got to meet some amazing artists and to see my piece up on the stage was a very nice experience."

Besides winning several awards, her paintings have been displayed at the Barrington White House, the Hinsdale Community House, and a local library in Barrington, a suburb of Chicago where Tiya grew up.

Tiya likes to work with all mediums – colour pencils to acrylic and oils. “Colour pencils help me make realistic details as hyper-realistic as I imagine. I spend time on social media and when I find something that inspires me or a problem that impacts me, it becomes part of my artwork. I want my themes to provoke emotions, because I am passionate about social justice.”

A colourful future

Currently, a freshman student, studying bio-medical engineering at the University of Michigan, Tiya hopes to take up a minor in arts to stay connected with her passion. She is also part of the design team for an art magazine at the University. “I am going to take a few art classes at Uni, start a new website which will be a gallery for people to buy prints of my work. I am hoping my career path allows me to use my art in STEM fields."

[caption id="attachment_36040" align="aligncenter" width="532"] Tiya at an exhibition for the US Congressional Art Competition in the 6th Congressional District IL, 2020[/caption]

Tiya is also a singer and was a member of her high school’s a cappella group and she loves to dance. “I plan to join a Bollywood dance team since I learnt ballet for a long time,” she adds.

From writing a book for children on the basics of drawing and painting when she was ten to having her artworks displayed in Government buildings before she was 18, speaks volumes for Tiya and her passion for art. One hopes to see more of this talented artist in the future.