Recap 2023: Young Indian trailblazers shine in global art and culture scene

(December 28, 2023) In 2023, a wave of young Indians made waves on the global stage, leaving an indelible mark in the realms of art and culture. From commanding attention at international film festivals to making strides in the dynamic world of K-Pop and creating mesmerising snapshots through photography, these emerging talents redefined the narrative of Indian creativity. Their achievements not only underscore the rich diversity of India’s cultural landscape but also showcase the global resonance of their artistic pursuits, signaling a promising future where young Indian artists continue to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide. Global Indian takes a look at the young Indians who shone bright in the world of art and culture in 2023.

Kamal Singh – Ballerino

At the opening night of Brecon Festival Ballet this Christmas, an Indian took centrestage as the main lead in Nutcracker – the world’s most popular ballet – to perform to packed houses in Wales. Amid the thunderous applause, he couldn’t help but reminisce the time he first saw a ballet in a Bollywood film. Six years later, the dream of performing ballet came true for Delhi-born Kamal Singh.

Kamal Singh is English National Ballet School graduate.

He had never heard of ballet until he watched a Bollywood film on his small television at his home in Vikaspuri on a balmy afternoon in 2016. A sweet twist of fate put him in the company of the Imperial Fernando Ballet School that changed the trajectory of his life and made him take those steps toward his dream. Then a 17-year-old, whose father is an e-rickshaw driver in Delhi, he was bewitched by the ballet dancers and wanted to try it for himself. Five years later, he became the first Indian to be selected to study at the English National Ballet School in the UK. “Coming from a humble background, where I couldn’t afford fees for ballet school to now performing in the UK, I am living my dream. Taking a leap of faith, knowing that I can back it up with hard work is what changed the game for me,” Kamal told Global Indian

Rhea Bakshi – Documentary filmmaker

This September Delhi-based teen Rhea Bakshi was in for a surprise when her 20-minute documentary India’s Treasures on Indian artisans won big at the New York International Film Awards, in the best student film category, making it the only Indian film to be awarded the finalist laurel. The documentary, that delves into the captivating journey of India’s age-old traditional art forms, showcases the passion and struggles of artisans who are preserving India’s heritage. “The recognition validated the work that I had put in, and, also stood for the fact that age doesn’t limit a person’s ability to make a meaningful impact,” she told Global Indian.

Rhea Bakshi with artisans

With the documentary getting a nod at an international film festival, Rhea calls it a “great opportunity for the artisans who have now taken the centrestage due to the popularity of the documentary. Through the documentary, I am trying to provide a platform for the voices of marginalised India and the people who are the real heroes of the time-honoured traditions and expertise,” she added.

Aria – K-Pop singer

The Hallyu Wave, a cultural phenomenon from South Korea, has taken over the world with catchy music, impressive dances, and engaging stories. This wave, led by the global sensation of K-Pop, has captivated India, and one shining star in this K-Pop craze is Gauthami, also known as Aria. Coming from Kerala, Aria is the second Indian to join a K-Pop group, following in the footsteps of the trailblazer Sriya Lenka. Her story is about daring to dream big and making those dreams come true. Like many Indian fans, Aria passionately followed K-Pop, dreaming of being part of this dazzling world. In April, Aria made a remarkable debut with the girl group X:in, releasing their first album, Keeping the Fire.

Getting attention for her nationality, she said, “I thought people from India would be giving me all the attention but it turned out that people from all over the world are showering with me love and support. I was surprised but at the same time feel grateful.” In her aspirations for the future, the 20-year-old K-Pop sensation envisions her girl band, X:in, entering the Billboard Charts, while also expressing her openness to exploring acting opportunities in both K-dramas and Bollywood as an individual artist.

Vihaan Talya Vikas – Photographer

Ten-year-old Vihaan Talya Vikas, armed with his Canon EOS 7D, ventured to the Bengaluru airport in pursuit of the perfect shot. Intrigued by an ancient tamarind grove, he soon found himself captivated by a spider on a wall next to an idol of Lord Krishna. For Vihaan, it wasn’t just a normal sight; it was a moment where the spider seemed enchanted by Krishna’s flute. Capturing this unique scene earned him the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 award in the under-10 category. Expressing his joy, Vihaan shared that photography allows him to think creatively and connect with nature.

Organised by The Natural History Museum in London, the competition, often called the “Oscars of Photography,” attracted entries from 95 countries worldwide. Out of 50,000 submissions, Vihaan’s photograph, titled “The Wall of Wonder,” stood out among the top 100. The image, featuring a spider and an idol, conveys a powerful message of coexistence. Dhritiman Mukherjee, a judge and Wildlife and Conservation Photographer, praised the thought process and composition of the image, emphasizing its significance in conveying art, concept, conservation, and science. The winning photograph will join the WPY59 collection and be showcased in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition at the Natural History Museum, traveling to 25 locations across four continents to raise awareness about wildlife conservation through impactful imagery.

Siddharth Salgaonkar – Filmmaker

Siddharth Salgaonkar, a budding filmmaker from Belagavi, Karnataka, gained international recognition with his short film Monster, a guerilla-style project entirely managed by him in his house. The one-minute film, featuring his mother as the sole actor and his father as a crew member, earned a spot at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, showcasing Belagavi on the global cinematic stage.

Salgaonkar, who started making films while studying at the Srishti School of Art in Bengaluru, expresses his passion for both fiction and non-fiction. His earlier works, such as Call and Delete, explore poignant themes like the relationship between a mother and son and the peculiar attachment of a young man to an eraser, demonstrating his knack for capturing tension within mundane scenarios. Salgaonkar’s films often leave audiences intrigued, showcasing his unique storytelling approach focused on everyday life experiences.