Young Achievers

Shalini Menon

Bangalore-based Shalini Menon (14) is still savouring the sweet taste of success after she was adjudged best pianist (Grade V) in India by the blue-chip Trinity College of Music, London late last year (October 2005). The Trinity College of Music (TCM), is an apex level music school which offers training in western classical and other music to students in India through its affiliated institutes such as the Bangalore School of Music and Musee Musical, Chennai. In India TCM conducts its annual high achievers concerts soon after completion of its music grade exams in August every year. Students who obtain a distinction (above 70 percent), are eligible to participate in these concert-cum-competitions. Three hundred and fifty young pianists from across the country (grades I-VIII) participated in a music festival for the annual TCM awards.

A multi-talented musician (vocal, recorder and piano), this class IX student of Bangalore International School (BIS) is particularly accomplished because she is visually challenged and has learnt music auditorilly. "I was attracted to music right from childhood. My brothers and sisters play the guitar and sing, so my learning came naturally," she recalls.

Inevitably success hasn’t come easy for the young virtuoso. Her typical day starts at 6 a.m, when she practices for two hours before setting off for BIS. After school, which closes at 3.30 p.m, she heads for BSM for her alternate-day one-hour piano and recorder lessons, followed by academic study and final piano practice before bed. "My teachers make special efforts to help me learn, since I can’t read and there are no Braille books with music scores. I learn auditorilly from audio cassettes and oral instruction," acknowledges Shalini.

Nor have visual impairment and hectic music schedules adversely affected her academic performance. Last year Shalini averaged 75-80 percent in the International Baccalaureate middle-year-programme at BIS. "I owe my good academic performance to my mother, Nirmala. She has learnt Braille herself so she can teach me, and helped me excel," she adds.

Given her talent, Shalini aspires to make music her career. She has chalked out a plan which includes a degree in music from Florida State University, to qualify as a music teacher. "I’ll travel abroad for my undergrad and postgrad studies in music," she says matter-of-factly.

A bubbly, confident teenager with no time for lamenting the happenstance of misfortune, Shalini Menon is a profile in courage and optimism.

Srinidhi Raghavendra (Bangalore)

Anshul Khosla

The first Young Filmmakers Festival held in Toronto recently brought more than applause and appreciation to young Anshul Khosla, a class IV student of Mumbai’s St. Dominic Savio School. This articulate nine-year-old won the ‘Best Script’ award for his docu-drama Love Changes Everything, which was screened at the inaugural Young Filmmakers Festival. Anshul did a lot more than just pen the script. He produced, directed and acted in the 16-minute film, the only entry from India in a competition that drew over 50 entries from Canada, the US, Australia and Ireland.

An academic topper, Anshul based the film on real-life stories of street children, some of whom live in Shelter Don Bosco, a centre for homeless children run by priests of the Salesian congregation. He first visited the shelter on a school-sponsored social awareness programme in December last year. "I was very moved and inspired by the stories of challenge, survival and hope which the street children in the shelter recounted. I wanted to tell their stories of constant struggle for survival to the public. I believe love and hope can change lives and decided to make it the theme of my documentary," says Anshul.

The young scriptwriter and filmmaker who loves reading, swimming and singing acknowledges the support he received from his school teachers, Fr. Joaquim Fernandes and Nelson Fernandes, who helped with the scripting and editing. Special support came from home as well, with dad Lakhnesh, a general manager at Centaur Pharmaceuticals sponsoring the production and mom Soumya chipping in with the post-production work.

Anshul’s maiden docu-drama was widely acclaimed by film critics and jury members at the festival. "It was very difficult for the judges to select winners because the quality of entries was excellent. But we were unanimous in our praise for Love Changes Everything. Anshul’s film was adjudged the best because he has examined the socio-economic reasons behind children fleeing to shelters, how they overcome conflict and obstacles and what keeps them going. It’s an impressive debut effort," says Vince De Marinis, director of the Young Filmmakers Festival.

Definitive and exceptional praise for a nine-year-old who wants to be a film-maker with a difference.

Ronita Torcato (Mumbai)