Paromita Sengupta (Bengaluru)

For fearlessly captivating audiences in schools, colleges, orphanages, NGOs, and temples with his extraordinary grasp of Sanskrit shlokas and wisdom beyond his years, Bengaluru-based Garuda Balaji (7), a class II student of the city’s Orchids The International School, has recently merited entry into the India Book of Records and also the Asia Book of Records as “Asia’s youngest public speaker”.

The first of three children of Balaji Paramashivan, a popular Tamil film star and Chitra M, a biotech scientist, Garuda’s public speaking career began under the influence of his maternal grandmother, T.R. Tara Bai, a spiritualism preacher, who delivered motivational speeches at cultural events. Discerning his interest, his grandaunt Devika started teaching him Sanskrit shlokas, math, Kannada, and introduced him to the reading habit. At age 4 (2022) on Shivaratri, Tara Bai took him to a Brahma Kumari ashram where he delivered his first public address.

What began as a learning exercise has totally transformed this young prodigy’s life. Last November (2024), the seven-year-old was invited as chief guest to a Makkala Habba (children’s festival) where he delivered a motivational speech to 400 children from orphanages in Bengaluru. Since then, he has delivered four Rajyotsava (Karnataka Day) speeches including one in his school.

“Public speaking is a great education experience, and ever since I took to it three years ago, I have noticed a marked improvement in my concentration and math scores. I’m lucky to have a supportive school Principal Suneetha Kalla ma’m and teachers who always encourage me to speak up at major school events. These opportunities helped me showcase my talent and develop my public speaking skills,” says Garuda, who adds that when he is older he wants to spread Indian culture and introduce ancient Sanskrit and Kannada literature to the general public.

Wind beneath your wings!