Singing sensation

Suchetha Satish can sing in 110 languages and has established two world records. We speak to her to find out more about her passion.

Suchetha Satish is a Grade 8 student at the Indian High School, Dubai. What sets her apart from other children is that she can sing in 110 languages. On January 25, 2018, she established two world records approved by the World Record Academy, which is the US equivalent of The Guinness World Record. She could break the existing Guinness record of 76 songs sung in different languages in one concert. The records she created are "Most languages sung during one concert" and "Longest live singing in one concert by a child". (She sang continuously for six hours and 15 minutes).
So, what sparked her interest in languages? She says, "It all started when a friend of ours, Dr Mayuko Horiguchi visited us from Japan three years ago. She had casually sung a Japanese folk song, and that sparked my interest. I learnt that song and sent it to Dr Mayuko. She certified that the pronunciation was perfect. After that, my family encouraged me to learn more languages, and before long I had learnt songs in Arabic and Tagalog."
Interestingly, Suchetha's passion for music began quite early. She started training in Carnatic music at the age of four from Annie, and for the last five years, she has been learning Hindustani music from Guru Sujatha Harishkumar. "God has blessed me with opportunities to perform in front of doyens like Dr K J Yesudas, Sri A R Rehman, Dr P Susheela, and Sri M Jayachandran, to name a few," she adds.
Till now she has performed on various stages across the UAE and India, singing in multiple languages and has taken part and won competitions in the UAE. "After the event, I got the golden opportunity to sing in front of a huge audience at the Opera House in Dubai, in the event to welcome our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi," adds the thrilled youngster.
What were her feelings as she broke records? The World Record attempt was at the Indian Consulate Auditorium in Dubai. "I must say it was the most memorable day in my life. A week before that I tried singing in 102 languages in one go, and that gave me immense confidence. Still, I was nervous on the D-Day. However, by God's grace and with the blessings and support of all my dear ones, I could achieve two world records," Suchetha says.
The event was live on Facebook, and there were adjudicators from the WRA as witnesses. "My father's encouraging face and those of my loved ones in the crowd, plus my mother's presence on the side stage, was a source of great encouragement and inspiration. I started singing at about 4.10pm UAE time, with a Maithili Bhajan and went on singing till 10.30pm UAE time, which was 12am Indian time. The last song was a patriotic song in Hindi to coincide with India's Republic Day on January 26, which had the crowd on their feet cheering me and singing with me. The award was declared and presented by the adjudicators as well as the Consul General of India to the UAE, Sri Vipul," Suchetha recollects.
She notes, "Shri Vipul said in his address that it was the first and unique gift to India on Republic Day. As I received the award, I had mixed feelings of elation, pride, and a sense of relief and determination to achieve more. I dedicated the award to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Shri Narendra Modi, Honourable Prime Minister of India, as well as the citizens of both the countries."
So, what are her plans for the future? She replies, "I intend to learn songs in more languages, in addition to learning languages such as French and Japanese. I have also recently released a few singles dedicated to festivals like Onam, Easter and Eid, all of which have been written and composed by playback singer Shri Ajaygopal in Malayalam. The Eid song was released in three languages namely Malayalam, Tamil and Urdu. The lyrics were translated by Shri Kris Venugopal, eminent media personality and artist. We are planning to release more songs for the Indian National Day celebrations and UAE National Day."
Does she intend to break any more records? "God willing, I want to establish a Guinness record for singing in the most number of languages when I turn 16. Children below 16 are not allowed to participate in endurance events," she replies.
For the World Cup Football season Suchetha recorded songs for all the 32 participating teams in their national languages. All these videos have been posted on her Facebook page (www.facebook.com/suchethasatish/) and shared through Twitter. She has been receiving positive feedback and encouragement for this initiative.
Suchetha is supported by her close-knit family. Her parents have been living in the UAE for the last 19 years, while her brother Sushant Satish is pursuing medical studies in India.

Extraordinary God-given talent and her interest to nurture it is appreciable. She is keen to accept suggestions and work on them."
- Dr T C Satish, father

Suchetha has always been a very focused and dedicated child and is a perfectionist to the core. Once she catches her interest in something, she will work relentlessly to achieve it. We are blessed to have children like Suchetha and Sushant."
- Sumitha Ayilliath, mother

List of awards and accolades
.    Two world records certified by World Record Academy:
.    "Most languages sung during one concert."
.    "Longest live singing concert by a child."
.    Name included in the "Hall of Fame" for 2018 in the World Record Academy annals.

Also won:
.    India Book of Records for most languages sung during one concert.
.    Golden Book of World Records for most languages sung during one concert.
.    OISCA "Youth Icon Award 2018."
.    Sheikh Hamdan Award for Distinguished Student (2014)


- suchitra@khaleejtimes.com

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