Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveTranscendental prodigy: 70 world records, three honorary doctorates and 200 awards – K Prisha is the youngest yoga guru of the visually impaired

Transcendental prodigy: 70 world records, three honorary doctorates and 200 awards – K Prisha is the youngest yoga guru of the visually impaired

Written by: Amrita Priya

(July 20, 2022) Thirteen-year-old K Prisha is often addressed as “Dr Prisha” in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, and rightly so. The prodigy has been honoured with not just one but three honorary doctorates for her spectacular achievements in yoga and social service — from the University of Jerusalem Medical College & Hospitals, Vellore (2019), Indian Empire University, Chennai (2021), and World Tamil University of USA (2021).

K Prisha, yoga prodigy

In 2018 and again in 2019, Prisha brought home the gold in the international yoga championships held in Mayalsia and Thailand. She’s also the youngest yoga teacher for the blind and has been certified by the NCPCR, government of India and holds up to 70 world records for a plethora of skills – yoga, swimming, blind-folded cycling, skating, ambidextrous writing, solving the Rubik’s Cube, Aqua Yoga and more. Global University, Missouri, USA, recognised Prisha as the youngest person to hold the maximum number of world records. This little bundle of talent has even written a book, Yoga Indrae Seivom Inbum Peruvom, in Tamil, highlighting the benefits of the 5,000-year-old ancient Indian therapy to prevent and cure three common diseases – diabetes, asthma, and blood pressure.

Prisha’s room-full of awards

Such is her command of yoga therapy that people in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry flock to her for treatment and workshops. “Yoga improves immunity, stamina, and focus.” I have been doing it since I was one-year-old, “Prisha tells Global Indian. It has helped her “get superpowers,” she says, claiming she can “bend a spoon if I want by looking at it (telekinesis).” She’s so attuned to her senses and surroundings that she can ride a bicycle or cook blindfolded.

I can body scan for healing diseases and also make future predictions with the deep focus that I have attained from yoga and meditation – K Prisha

Teacher and healer who is sought by many

The youngster, who has an impressive collection of over 200 medals, awards, and certificates that she bagged in state-wide, national, and international competitions and events, teaches yoga every day to the visually-challenged. She has also been teaching the elderly in old age homes, and NCC cadets, apart from conducting numerous workshops for people from different walks of life. With her guidance, visually challenged students have found a drastic improvement in their eyesight. Schoolkids have also enhanced their focus, and the elderly and those who suffered from COVID-19 are able to lead healthier lives. One of her visually impaired students even went on to break a world record in yoga.

Prisha with her visually impaired students

It all started at home…

Yoga flows in the family. Since Prisha’s mother, G Devi Priya, a lawyer by qualification and a yoga teacher by passion, was deeply seeped in it, the prodigy started showing interest in it when she was just one year old. She could do some asanas even before she could walk. The legacy starts with her grandmother, who is a professor of Yoga in Pondicherry. So far, Devi Priya has been her first and only guru, under whose guidance the teen has made extraordinary achievements.

Despite being a gold-medalist in law and MSc in naturopathy and yoga, Devi Priya has been completely focused on managing her multi-talented daughter’s schedules, travelling with her for workshops and competitions.

Her father, Karthik Rajendran, is a businessman and sports enthusiast who has inspired Prisha to excel in sports and martial arts like tennis and karate. At the age of seven, she participated in state and national level crossbow shooting and won gold medal in both. The multi-talented teen has a blue belt in karate and has won several competitions in it as well.

However, the love for yoga surpasses all. “I want to become a doctor of naturopathy and spread awareness of yoga throughout the world,” says the teenager, who has been invited as a judge at the National Youth Festival conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and as chief guest to an event at Nehru Yuva Kendra, a Government of India entity. The youngster’s list of achievements never seems to end. She has been invited to several television programmes covering her extraordinary talent, and has been leaving people awestruck with her ability to instantly choreograph any dance number while possessing a great ear for music.

Yoga for a good life

The standard eight student of Meena Shankar Vidyalaya School, Tirunelveli, looks at her passion to teach yoga as a vehicle of the common good, so that even the vulnerable, like the differently-abled, can benefit and lead a wholesome life. Her dream is impressive — to adopt a village and teach yoga to everyone there.

Prisha participating in a yoga competition, a few years ago

In August 2022, the golden girl of yoga will be heading to Malaysia for a 16-day workshop organised by the Malaysian Association for the Blind. In the same month, she will be travelling to Dubai to receive the Global Child Prodigy award, which will be conferred to 99 other youngsters from across the globe.

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Published on 20, Jul 2022

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Vedant Harlalka: The teen innovator making breakthroughs in 3D printing and IoT

(April 27, 2022) Turning a problem into an opportunity is what Mumbai-based Vedant Harlalka believes in. As an eighth-grader, Vedant thought 3D printers were expensive, and he created one that was economical. Not just this, during the pandemic, he ideated on an automatic hand-sanitiser dispenser. “Pushing the boundaries and moving beyond limits is what I truly believe in. At a time when my friends were watching YouTube videos, I was busy making them. Constant evolution is what keeps us moving forward in life,” Vedant says in an interview with Global Indian. A member of Model United Nations, the 15-year-old has engineering and IoT (internet of things) at the core of everything he does. “I began exploring it at the age of 11, and soon found myself immersed in the world of innovation,” adds the keynote speaker at Global Youth Education Summit. [caption id="attachment_15540" align="aligncenter" width="596"] Vedant Harlalka working on 3D printer prototype[/caption] A self-taught innovator Born in Singapore in 2006 to a stockbroker father and a CA mother (now a homemaker), Vedant moved to Mumbai with his family when he was a year-and-a-half as his parents wanted to raise him amongst extended family. Growing up in the era of technology,

t innovator

Born in Singapore in 2006 to a stockbroker father and a CA mother (now a homemaker), Vedant moved to Mumbai with his family when he was a year-and-a-half as his parents wanted to raise him amongst extended family. Growing up in the era of technology, he loved referring to YouTube reviews before buying a gadget. This stirred something in him. “I wanted to be confident in front of the camera,” says Vedant who started his own YouTube channel in grade IV. “I loved reviewing gadgets, and my channel helped me learn scripting, production, and post-production,” adds the innovator who continued this for two years before sinking his teeth into the world of Arduino.

"Reviewing gadgets made me inquisitive about their making. This curiosity led me to learn the basics of computer science through Harvard’s cs50 course on edX. It gave me an insight into a whole new world,” reveals Vedant who explains Arduino as a “printed circuit board which when attached to sensors and modules helps convert ideas into prototypes.”

Turning problems into opportunities

The teenager took a leap of faith into the world of innovation and when “opportunity struck” during Covid-19, he and two seniors created an automatic hand sanitiser dispenser. “Going to grocery stores, we saw that people had to tap the sanitiser bottles, which could potentially spread the virus,” says the St Mary's School student who made a fully functional prototype in 15 days. “We had made small innovations, but with Covid, I knew it was time to do something big. We wanted to give back to society,” adds the young innovator who despite having the first-mover advantage couldn’t turn it into a market-friendly product due to funding and supply chain issues. “The market was in motion, and with ₹15-₹20 lakh needed, the market was saturated with automatic sanitisers in some time,” adds Vedant who refocused on making a cost-efficient 3D printer.

In late 2019, while working on a project with his classmate Ukshaan, he realised the need for a 3D printer for a prototype. But with a decent one costing ₹20,000, these then eighth graders decided to make one under $100. “We realised the potential of making one with recycled electronic scraps like DVD and CD drives instead of the traditional Nema 17 stepper motors, thus cutting down the cost,” explains the Class 10 student who took two years to make the prototype. He is now working on making it a "consumer-friendly product" before patenting it and launching it commercially. "We thought we would finish it in a day, but it took us two years. But those years taught us so much. We learnt through trial and error, and it instilled confidence in us," adds the TEDx speaker for whom it was an uphill task.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFxSNjaNWo8

Overcoming the challenges

With 3D printing still in its nascent stage, the teenager had “few resources”" and had to figure out his way. Vedant also calls the “lack of a mentor” one of the hurdles, initially, however, it turned out to be a learning curve that saw him fit the role of innovator and entrepreneur.

For him, age has always been a double-edged sword. If his innovations have been scoffed at for being a “high school project,” it has at times also added a sense of wonder. “Those who have been supportive of skill and talent, ignore my age,” says Vedant who is gearing up for his board exams.

The young innovator is also the project head at Neuralix, an open-source community with the motive of making the brain-machine interface more accessible to students and tinkerers. “We have developed an open-source development board that can be used to interface machine with the brain. Using the board, you can build a lot of projects with bio-signals,” says the teen innovator who plans to pursue electrical and electronics engineering at IIT Delhi. “I think engineering and IoT will always be at the core of whatever I do,” says the boy who wants to launch a startup in EEE soon.

His parents are the wind beneath his wings. “They have been super supportive. I am thankful that my dad once yelled at me for spending hours playing PubG. That motivated me to use my time on the internet wisely, and led me to learn to code and even mentor students,” says Vedant, adding, “When I was 11-12, I didn’t have any mentor, and was lost. But now with a few years of experience, I want to help youngsters by giving them direction. For me, giving back holds an important place.”

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A post shared by Vedant Harlalka (@vedantharlalka)

Vedant wants youngsters to “look beyond boundaries,” and “take the first step, and the rest will follow. Don’t limit yourself.” The teenager wants to break the misconception of innovators being “nerds.” “I love cycling for 20 km-30 km every day, and am a part of Sobo Riders. I also love walks and swims,” says Vedant who calls hanging out with friends a perfect destressor.

Follow Vedant Harlalka on Linkedin, Instagram

Reading Time: 5 min

Rohan Varinakaval: Indian-American teen finds solution for schools amid air quality crisis

(February 17, 2024) It was in December of 2019 that while navigating through the bustling streets of Delhi, New Jersey-based Rohan Varinakaval had to hold his breath to avoid a cloud of smog. His tryst with Delhi's smog during his visit to India to meet his sick grandfather in a hospital left him shocked. It was a paradox - he could see that the capital was home to the best healthcare but at the time it was imprisoned by pollution, a result of farmers burning crop residue which was leading to an environmental health crisis. He found that this pollution is lessening the lifespan of an average Delhiite by nearly a decade. "Amidst this haze, thousands of students persistently attended school, their commitment to education unwavering. Students, even those with conditions such as asthma, were subjecting themselves to these toxic surroundings," said Rohan, who saw a void in the realm of air quality monitoring. This led him to take action, and he developed myAQI. Unlike regular monitors that only give air quality readings, myAQI does more. It gives schools easy advice based on current data. Instead of just knowing pollution levels, principals can get helpful tips like 'Keep students inside

Keep students inside during recess' or 'Open windows.'

[caption id="attachment_35898" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Rohan Varinakaval[/caption]

It began when Rohan realised that smog permeates through classrooms and even makes indoor learning environments safe, and the absence of air conditioning and filtration systems, it accelerates the risk. "Discussions with friends and family indicated that despite this grim scenario, the severe pollution was not being accorded priority, and school administrators were unable to address the health risks involved," he added.

On delving deeper, he found that air quality monitoring devices only provide data but do not interpret air quality data. Moreover, their usage in Indian schools was almost negligible. "They received current air quality figures, but no practical steps to counter the problem," revealed Rohan.

Passionate about engineering solutions, he was keen to find a solution. He spent countless hours talking to school leaders in both the US and India, making the app fit their needs, and fixing problems that popped up during testing the first version. So, using a particulate matter sensor and microprocessor, he created myAQI - a small, affordable air quality monitoring device designed especially for Indian schools. But what makes it different is its adaptability as Rohan understood that pollution affects people differently. Those who already have health problems like asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and COPD are more likely to get sick from bad air. His device helps provide customised recommendations for these sensitive groups, thus ensuring that everyone in the school, even those with health problems, stay safe.

"School administrators can install a myAQI device within their premises, register via an Android app, and obtain summaries of the air quality data. The most significant feature of the app, though, is its ability to offer recommendations for appropriate action based on the prevailing air quality and trends. It also allows administrators to view separate sets of suggestions tailored for different student populations with specific respiratory conditions such as asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and COPD," he added.

The Indian-American teen wants school leaders to use myAQI to help shape school rules, make smarter choices about dealing with air quality, and understand pollution levels inside their buildings better. His device can sit in a classroom and gather data from a small area, so leaders can put it where it's most needed.

Till now, the student at the Pingry School in New Jersey has distributed the device to ten schools in India, which include a total of over 16,000 students and is flooded with requests from many more schools. In the future, he wants to expand his project by providing several devices to each school. Additionally, he aims to inspire more young innovators to address environmental challenges globally.

[caption id="attachment_35901" align="aligncenter" width="368"] myAQI[/caption]

It was in December of 2019 that while navigating through the bustling streets of Delhi, New Jersey-based Rohan Varinakaval had to hold his breath to avoid a cloud of smog. His tryst with Delhi's smog during his visit to India to meet his sick grandfather in a hospital left him shocked. It was a paradox - he could see that the capital was home to the best healthcare but at the time it was imprisoned by pollution, a result of farmers burning crop residue which was leading to an environmental health crisis. He found that this pollution is lessening the lifespan of an average Delhiite by nearly a decade. "Amidst this haze, thousands of students persistently attended school, their commitment to education unwavering. Students, even those with conditions such as asthma, were subjecting themselves to these toxic surroundings," said Rohan, who saw a void in the realm of air quality monitoring.

This led him to take action, and he developed myAQI. Unlike regular monitors that only give air quality readings, myAQI does more. It gives schools easy advice based on current data. Instead of just knowing pollution levels, principals can get helpful tips like 'Keep students inside during recess' or 'Open windows.'

Follow Rohan Varinakaval on LinkedIn

Indian American students again top the Regeneron Science Talent Search

(March 17, 2024) Proving the accuracy of President Joe Biden's statement that "Indian Americans are taking over the country," numerous Indian-origin youths have consistently excelled in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Dubbed the "Junior Nobel" of the United States, several high school students of Indian descent have consistently claimed spots among the top 10 finalists in this esteemed STEM competition, renowned for identifying the most inventive young scientists. Keeping up the tradition, Indian American student Achyuta Rajaram, has been named the winner of the Regeneron Science Talent Search this year too, bagging a cash prize of $250,000. But, he is not alone at the top. A total of 13 students among 40 finalists in this year's science talent search are of Indian origin. Motivated by pressing challenges that hinder daily progress, these students have devised straightforward, distinctive, and affordable remedies, showcasing their promise as future scientists and innovators dedicated to benefiting humanity. Global Indian puts a spotlight on these young geniuses. Achyuta Rajaram At just 17 years old, Achyuta is already making a significant impact in the scientific community. This young innovator devised an automated technique to unveil the segments of a computer model responsible for decision-making when analysing images.

r devised an automated technique to unveil the segments of a computer model responsible for decision-making when analysing images. This understanding illuminates the cognitive processes of these algorithms, thereby aiding in their enhancement to be more efficient, equitable, and secure.

He enhanced the automated detection of visual circuits through his computer science project submitted to the Regeneron Science Talent Search. In the realm of machine learning, computer algorithms sift through data to address vital real-world inquiries. Achyuta's research has advanced our capacity to comprehend the inner workings of computer models that discern patterns in images. Specifically, his work sheds light on the thought processes behind these models when analysing photographs and identifies which components of their computational frameworks contribute to decision-making.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75hRQGvznsw

But he isn't just another nerdy kid. Achyuta really likes cats but doesn't have any at home. So, he used computer tricks to organize 2,300 funny cat pictures. He says it's a fun way to take a break and enjoy looking at cute cats.

Aditi Avinash

She took the stage to speak on behalf of the Regeneron Science Talent Search Class of 2024 and was named the Seaborg Award winner. Another 17-year-old student of the Rock Canyon High School, Colorado, Aditi discovered that a blend of three enzymes efficiently breaks down gluten proteins, a finding she deems to hold therapeutic promise for individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. She observed that concurrently administering the enzymes proved more effective than administering them sequentially, both in degrading gluten and in diminishing T-cell immune reactions. This discovery could pave the way for novel treatments for celiac disease.

The student's research suggested that blending the enzymes proved superior in breaking down gluten and lowering the immune response of T-cells compared to administering the enzymes one after the other. She envisions developing a pill to alleviate the discomfort associated with celiac disease and gluten intolerance, enabling individuals with these conditions to consume wheat products without issues.

Arnav N. Chakravarthy

Holding ninth place at the competition, Arnav was granted a $50,000 prize for his investigation into the genetic origins of macrophages, a type of immune cell found in the brain, liver, and bone marrow. His research aimed to shed light on the mechanisms through which these cells regenerate themselves. While many cells can be traced back to their embryonic origins, Arnav uncovered evidence suggesting that specific brain cells might also be replenished from our bone marrow as we grow older. His discoveries have the potential to inform future targeted treatments for age-related ailments such as Alzheimer’s disease.

In order to evaluate this hypothesis, Arnav employed a genomics tool to track the origins of brain and liver samples, alongside bone marrow samples sourced from the same donors. He then compared the lineage and distinctive mutations of the cells. His results indicate the potential for the regenerative capabilities of macrophage cells, which could have implications for age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Saraswathy Amjith

A nonprofit founder and president offering free teaching and tutoring to more than 200 underserved students, Saraswathy devised a method to enhance the precision of identifying illegal logging as part of her environmental science project for the Regeneron Science Talent Search. She aimed to develop a tool for detecting illegal logging. She conducted experiments with different machine-learning techniques, leveraging satellite-based remote sensing data to identify the most effective approach for detecting logging activities. Given the challenge of cloud cover in tropical regions hindering satellite imagery's effectiveness, Saraswathy integrated both optical and radar imaging methods to achieve more precise detection results.

In her project, Saraswathy discovered a way to mitigate the impact of cloudy weather by merging satellite optical and radar datasets, as radar imagery remains unaffected by clouds. Subsequently, she evaluated different machine learning methods to ascertain the most effective approach for this particular application.

Reading Time: 5 mins

Suyash Keshari, the 25-year-old wildlife conservationist behind India’s first wildlife OTT platform

With her amber eyes watching her prey, Solo the tigress crouches amid tall brown grass, beautifully camouflaged. In a second, she pounces on a chital deer. Her teeth tear into its flesh, and she devours him. Solo is the big cat who stole the thunder on Safari with Suyash – Season 1, a wildlife series by environmentalist Suyash Keshari. Amidst the lush foliage, rolling hills and grasslands of Bandhavgarh National Park, Solo found her habitat where she first met Suyash eight years ago. A capture of the six-month-old earned Suyash the Nature’s Best Photography Asia Award, which incidentally hung at Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington DC for a year. Solo played a huge part in Suyash’s journey into wildlife filmmaking as his debut five-part series managed to impress the World Wildlife Fund, which eventually became its distributor. "My first series was inspired by my early life in Central India, its people and animals. It was showcased at the 13th United Nations Convention on Migratory Species in February 2020," Suyash tells Global Indian in an exclusive. [caption id="attachment_16950" align="aligncenter" width="607"] A picture of Solo clicked by Suyash Keshari[/caption] For the past three years, this champion of wildlife conservation has been

lobalindian.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Solo-1-3.jpg" alt="Solo" width="607" height="950" /> A picture of Solo clicked by Suyash Keshari[/caption]

For the past three years, this champion of wildlife conservation has been navigating through unexplored territory of the park to capture the raw and unfiltered beauty of nature.

A childhood in the lap of nature

He grew up in Central India where his IAS officer dad was posted. Thus for the Madhya Pradesh-born, his love for wildlife began early. On his first visit to a zoo as a four-year-old, he learnt (from his maternal grandfather) that animals aren’t free like those he saw on wildlife shows. Instead, they are caged for life. "It broke my heart, and set me on a path to learn more about our wild animals and observe them in their habitat," he recalls.

Instead of guffawing to Tom & Jerry as a five-year-old, Suyash would spend hours watching wildlife shows. Often, he would sprawl languidly in his backyard, spotting birds, climbing guava trees, or observing fish by a pond. "I always wanted to do something related to wildlife, film and photography, and document these sightings. Growing up, people from across the world would present on Indian wildlife. I wondered why an Indian could not do the same," muses the environmentalist whose supportive family cheered him on.

Switching gears to political advocacy

Inspired by mavericks like Steve Irwin, Steve Backshall, and Nigel Marven, Keshari was ready to become a wildlife presenter like his childhood heroes. Yet, his enthusiasm was met with dissent by field experts in India. At age 17, a career in wildlife was considered a suicide mission with no guaranteed results or hefty paycheck. "They told me that it would take me at least 10 to 15 years to create a name. When this came from the people who I looked up to, I accepted it as the only truth. I gave up on my dream and moved to the US," recalls Keshari.

[caption id="attachment_16951" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Suyash Keshari with lions at Bandhavgarh National Park.[/caption]

In America, he switched gears to political advocacy - a degree from Wake Forest University, and then a cushy job at Washington DC. Yet, something was amiss. He yearned for the woods, wildlife and nature. "My deep-seated love for wildlife, and the quest to fulfill my childhood dream led me in 2019 to quit my job and become a full-time wildlife presenter. It also brought me back to my homeland, India. There was no other place I could think of but my beloved, Bandhavgarh National Park (to start my journey as a wildlife presenter) - it had shaped my life and made me the person I am today," beams the 25-year-old with pride.

Finding his true calling

For a child who picked up his dad's camera to record wild stories, he was a natural. A self-taught photographer, his urge to tell stories was prime. "For me, it was always about capturing nature’s beauty and explaining the importance of conservation. Moreover, I would tell stories of the human-wildlife conflict, and make people aware of the beautiful natural heritage that our planet offers. I knew that in order to stand out, I had to be myself," reveals Suyash, whose Instagram account has over 46k followers.

Suyash went viral on the OTT scene in 2019 with Safari with Suyash. Entirely self-funded, the series was picked up by WWF International for a web release, and it opened the doors to wildlife film making. "The idea was to create something people could emotionally connect with. It is vital for people to feel attached to wildlife, only then will they care," says the wildlife presenter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia4SRQcM7cg

Happy to put the spotlight on wildlife conservation, forest community upliftment, and virtual safaris, his aim was to show something completely raw, authentic and unfiltered. Today, the Bandhavgarh National Park is his playground, and the wild animals, his muse.

With the help of a few friends, Suyash recently provided electricity through solar lamps to 175 anti-poaching camps at the national park that he funded from his virtual safaris. "More than 250 forest staff received shoes, raincoats, and bags. Another 200 staff received solar torches to help with night patrol and phone charging. It's vital to take care of the people who take care of our natural heritage," reveals the conservationist who was a former associate at Legislative Affairs and State Engagement at US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.

India’s first OTT wildlife platform

Since virtual safaris had never been done in India before, Suyash has carved a niche by creating India’s first virtual safari experience which comes at a cost of ₹5000. "Buy a membership, jump into the back of the jeep from the comfort of your home and indulge in a wild, raw and epic adventure," coaxes the presenter who loves chasing sunsets.

[caption id="attachment_16952" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] A leopard at Bandhavgarh National Park[/caption]

Suyash along with his small team often brave Madhya Pradesh’s scorching sun and torrential rain to capture footage that resonates. "The biggest challenge isn’t the endless wait in adverse conditions or tracking an animal. It is the willingness of the mind and heart to work harder to achieve the goals, but the body is just too tired to keep going. The challenge is to overcome the setbacks and keep going no matter what," says Suyash who wants to expand virtual tours on Safari with Suyash.

"The idea, for now, is to expand the ‘Safari with Suyash- TV’ platform as much as possible along with our conservation merchandise line. The focus would lie on connecting people with nature, whether virtually or physically with safaris and tours. For me, there’s still a long way to go and a lot more to do and connecting more and more people to nature and wildlife on the way," signs off Keshari.

Follow him on Instagram and Twitter

Reading Time: 7 min

Sienna Katelyn: Indian-origin prodigy making waves in Australian music

(September 29, 2023) “As a daughter to immigrant parents who have made Australia their home, I feel so proud to share that I’ll be singing the Australian National Anthem at the Australian Open on Australia Day!,” the 12-year-old Indian-origin singer announced excitedly on social media earlier this year. One of the fastest rising talents Sienna Katelyn is a gifted young singer and dancer who made her remarkable debut on the television screens in 2022 when she became the youngest ever grand finalist on Australia's Got Talent at the age of 11. She had released her first album when she was just 10. The talented singer actively contributes to the music community in Australia and has showcased her talents by singing the National Anthem at prominent events such as the Australian Open on Channel 9, Channel 7's Good Friday Appeal, and Adelaide Carols by Candlelight, among others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw4QXTehs5c Currently, she is neck deep into a prestigious project playing young Tina in the megahit ‘Tina – The Tina Turner Musical,’ which features the musical legend herself and depicts her life from humble beginnings to transforming into a rock ‘n roll star. Sienna, a Melbourne girl is living away from home for

Tina Turner Musical,’ which features the musical legend herself and depicts her life from humble beginnings to transforming into a rock ‘n roll star.

Sienna, a Melbourne girl is living away from home for the project. “I have been living in Sydney since March of this year and will be here until Jan 2024 for the musical,” she tells Global Indian adding “I have been doing online schooling through Virtual School Victoria.”

A musical prodigy

Sienna started singing when she was just six. Always an audience lover, she performed in community events whenever there was an occasion. Gradually she started participating in competitions like the Fast Track competition, which was founded in Melbourne in 2013 by co-founders Christine Collyer and Ben Brazil. It quickly evolved into the largest non-televised talent competition in Australia. Sienna won the overall prize in her age group in 2019.

The singer achieved a remarkable feat in her musical journey when at just 10 years of age, she released her first original song ‘CRY’. It was an impressive musical endeavour at such a young age. Her song is available on all major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Google Play.

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

What touched the chords of the audience was that while the song addressed the important topic of bullying, the video took a light-hearted approach, featuring Zoe, Sienna's younger sister, in the role of an annoying sibling. Diana, Sienna’s mother remarked, "We had to intersperse humour into the picturization of the song because a child was attempting to convey a message."

The family was delighted that Sienna's teacher distributed the music video to the entire school.

After gaining stardom Sienna has been excelling at her studies via homeschooling which she has been doing this year. “She is very self-driven which has made it a smooth transition for her. Her school supports her by providing a flexible approach, which allows her to do her shows sometimes during school hours. The musical’s team also has a tutor that visits to further assist the learning as required,” her mom shared.

Music in the family

Sienna's musical journey can be attributed to her cultural background and musical environment at home. Her Anglo-Indian family who hails from Chennai, shares a deep passion for music. Her father Mario and his side of the family have a strong musical inclination. Everyone in the family either plays a musical instrument or enjoys singing. It's not an uncommon sight that after every gathering, someone inevitably grabs a guitar to play.

Talking about her guitarist dad Sienna said, “What I love about him most is how he is an inspiration to others, and how confident and brave he is. This inspires me to become like that as well.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X31HUflHeGw

Mario has a small studio with some instruments at home. Both he and Sienna have spent a lot of time in the music room working out songs since she was young. As singing is her passion Sienna aspires to make a career out of it and wants to be a leader and a role model to inspire people.

The singing sensation

Sienna grabbed the limelight when she became the youngest ever grand finalist on Australia's Got Talent at the age of eleven in 2022. Although she did not win, she became an overnight singing sensation. “I was not there to win but to share my talent with Australia and the rest of the world. I am happy,” she remarks.

For her auditions on the show, Sienna performed ‘If I ain’t Got You’ by Alicia Keys dedicating the song to her family. Her dad, Mario, had accompanied her on the guitar and the father-daughter duo had received a standing ovation from both the audience and the judges. Not just Australian nationals but participants from around the world were part of the auditions.

Encountering stiff competition from talented co-contestants reaching the final at just the age of 11 was a big achievement and the entire Australia took notice of the star in the making.

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A post shared by sɪᴇɴɴᴀ ᴋᴀᴛᴇʟʏɴ- Young Tina Turner| AGT Finalist ‘22 (@sienna.katelyn)

There has been no looking back ever since. The little singer has been part of major singing events in the country. Talking about singing the Australian National Anthem at the Australian Open on Australia Day, she remarked, “It was surreal and I enjoyed the experience of so many people watching me sing. It was a great experience.”

What Sienna loves most about her musical endeavour is that she gets to meet new people on stage and otherwise. “I am looking forward to meeting more new people in the industry, making friends with people who love music and have the same passion as me, and getting more opportunities to sing,” shared the grade 7 student who loves sipping lemon and honey ginger tea before her performances. “It’s all about staying at it and working hard and making sure to follow your dreams and never give up,” she remarked talking about her mantra for success.

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