Bengaluru: While most children his age would be happy playing video games, thirteen-year-old Smaran R.K., along with his two younger brothers Dhyan and Yash V Kowdley, aged nine and eight respectively, are busy building a start-up which is organizing the first of its kind talent show in India. Called The Indigo Tent, the start-up provides a platform for children willing to showcase their talents in the fields of art, music, dance, photography and entrepreneurship. “Marks aren’t everything, they are important, yes, but why limit ourselves there? These activities take us further,” believes the little CEO, who is a student of Delhi Public School and is studying in the eighth standard.
The concept behind the company was to let children find a space that would give them a non judgmental stage to help them build confidence, says Smaran. “I look at my class and I don’t see enough opportunities for us to explore these cultural activities in a big way. Though this platform, they can participate and show people what they can do without pressure, which is why the talent show that we are organising is not a competition.”
He is partially inspired by his mother Shruthi Rathan, he says, who he saw organising events in the city, while he was growing up. “My mom used to organize these flea markets and I felt like I wanted to do something like that, for those my age and in the field of extra curricular activities.” Art and photography makes this young entrepreneur feel good about himself, he explains. “Art and craft, photography and music makes me feel like I could do anything, talk to anyone. I want others to feel the same.”
The performance-cum exhibition will showcase musical and dance performances and also give artists, craft enthusiasts and budding photographers a space to display their work. Winning isn’t everything, he adds.
Since it is by children and for children, they can expect to have a lot of fun and also find some inspiration, remarks Smaran hopefully. “You can expect it to be a homely environment, you won’t feel left out at all. It’s going to be a lot of fun!”
The event also has workshops conducted by professionals in various fields, informs Shruthi and the expected number of footfalls are 3,500. “At first they wanted to make it into a competition, but one day Smaran comes back from school and says that it would negate the whole point of Indigo Tent. He’s a thoughtful child,” she says proudly. “It’s a free event and as of now we are reaching out financially. All sponsors are welcome.”
Smaran aspires to take it a step further and build an app for the company sometime in the future. “Of course we want to do more events like this but I would like to have an app that will help kids connect and share their ideas, like Facebook for us kids and adults will be blocked out! ” he says laughing.
