Thulirkal: Shining in the Spotlight, Luksimi Sivaneswaralingam!

CTYA’s Blog has started a new Feature on Fridays, Thulirkal. Thulirkal meaning bud reflects the young Tamil youth we will be featuring. These youth are the buds of our community, and are growing into strong, achieving young men and women! Each week we will feature a Tamil youth of the week. For more information or to suggest a youth to feature, please feel free to email us at blogs@ctya.org!

This week, we’ve brought you Luksimi Sivaneswaralingam!

Luksimi Sivaneswaralingam is an active singer in Toronto. She is currently completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto (St. George Campus) in Music – Voice Performance. At a tender age, Luksimi had shown keen interest in the arts, especially music. Recognizing her interest, her mother took her to Carnatic music lessons at the age of 3. She has been learning Carnatic music under the guidance of Sangeetha Bhooshanam Srimathi Kamala Devi Shanmugalingam and is also receiving additional training from guru Raji Gopalakrishnan. Luksimi is also completing a degree in Carnatic music at Annamalai University (Canada Campus) and is receiving training from Venkatesh Natarajan. She sings in several languages such as English, Italian, French, German, etc.

From the age of 8, Luksimi has been an active singer with the Tamil band “Vaanampaadikal”. As one of the main singers of the band, Luksimi has done numerous performances with the band at various community events in Toronto and Montreal, television recordings and tv/radio interviews. Luksimi has participated and won titles in several vocal competitions and Carnatic competitions, some being Gaanakuyil, Isai Kuyil, IBC 2006 (Canada and London, England), CNE’s Rising Stars, Tvi Super Star: The Next Singing Sensation Season 2 and many others. The biggest accomplishment was “IBC Tamil ‘s Innisai Kural 2006”. Luksimi was the 1st place winner of Innisai Kural 2006 in Canada singing the song “Kaatril Varum Geethame” from the film Oru Naal Oru Kanavu and was sent to London, England to compete at the International level against 8 countries. In London, she succeeded and won 1st place singing the song “Alankuyil” from the film Paarthipan Kanavu. In London, she was adjudicated by the renowned singers “T.L Maharajan” and “German Kannan”. She names this to be one of her greatest accomplishments and one that she is highly proud of. Many others such as K.J. Yesudas, S. Janaki, Chinamayi, Steve Cliff Valentine, Princeten G and many others have also adjudicated Luksimi in competitions. In 2008, Luksimi sang her first film song. She sang the title song “Valimeethu” for the Tamil Canadian movie “Appa”. Luksimi continues to pursue her passion for music alongside her studies at the University of Toronto.

CTYA Blog Team: Thank you Luksimi for sitting down with us today. So, let’s get warmed up. Ok, now don’t think, just say what first comes to mind. 1, 2, 3…

Desired superpower? The ability to cure disease. “Every human dreams of a disease free life. Unfortunately it’s inevitable.” I believe everyone should be given the ability to live their life to the fullest and experience all that life has for them.

Amma or Appa? I love them both equally. I have been blessed with the best parents a child can ever get. My parents are my best friends, my god and mentors. Amma has sacrificed a lot to take care of me, take me to classes, programs, etc and spends all her time to help me develop as a musician. Without the support and encouragement of my parents, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Thanks Amma and Appa!

Three things you would take on Desert Island? My iphone, my brother and paper and pen to write down all my thoughts

Short Hair or Long Hair? Long hair!

Favourite Song? I have many favourites but right now my most favourite song is Mirrors by Justin Timberlake.

Photo Credits: Ninaivukal

CTYA Blog Team: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Luksimi: I am 19 years old and am a huge fan of AR Rahman and his music. I love to spend time with friends and family and explore. I am a shy person but I love to make memories and travel, as I am an adventurous person.

CTYA Blog Team: What got you interested in music and singing? How has your family supported your interest?
Luksimi: From when I was a baby, my mom would always play film songs or listen to music, which I would enjoy and clap and dance too. As a baby, my favourite song was “Chikku Bukku Raile” from the film Gentlemen. Growing up with music around me at all times is how it started. My mom noticed my keen interest in music and took me to classes at the age of 3. From when I started my musical journey to now, my parents how always been there for me and supported me through my accomplishments and my failures. Unlike many parents, they are very supportive of my choice of making music my career.

CTYA Blog Team: How do you believe that you can use your talent in music in order to better the Tamil community?
Luksimi: Music is a divine art that changes the mood and helps any individual. I would love to use my music through music therapy to help Tamils in our community. Hospitals are currently using music and music therapy to help with pain management, depression, to calm patients and for many other benefits that music and music therapy can bring. We have several people in our community who are unfortunately diagnosed with autism, depression, cancer and others illnesses and I would love to help them with my talent in music. From my high school years I perform at senior citizen homes, events held by the Welcome Centre Immigrant Services, hospital events and several others. I think it is important to give back to our community and do as much as we can to help our community.

CTYA Blog Team: What are some things you hope to achieve in life?
Luksimi: I wish to further enhance my skills as a musician and become a renowned play back singer. After completing my undergraduate degree, I wish to continue onto teachers college to become a music teacher at a school, as I love working with children. I enjoy working with children and want to share my knowledge by teaching music, dance and veena and one day have my own studio. My dream is to one-day work with one of the greatest music directors, A.R. Rahman.

CTYA Blog Team: We all have faced many obstacles in our life, but the key is to how we overcome them, and fuel them for our future goals, what are some ways you have used your obstacles as steps to your success?
Luksimi: As a musician, I have faced several obstacles and failures which are disappointing but are learning experiences that I have learned from. Not everything ends successfully and this is common to all musicians. Something I constantly tell myself is, “where one door closes another opens”. I use my failures as a foundation to build my success.

CTYA Blog Team: Finish the sentence. “To me, Tamil youth are..”
Luksimi: To me, Tamil youth are strong individuals who are highly talented and are capable of achieving great things. Our Tamil youth are active members of the community and are great leaders, mentors and individuals that strive for the best.

For more information or to suggest a youth to feature, please feel free to email us at blogs@ctya.org! Catch up with us next Friday where we’ll be bringing you another Talented Tamil youth story!

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