Some moments are simply unforgettable, especially when music weaves its magic. That’s precisely what unfolded at St. Gemma’s Girls Higher Secondary School’s arts festival in Malappuram last week.
Thirteen-year-old Adwaith M. Sree, a true musical wizard hailing from Kozhikode, captivated both students and teachers at the Malappuram school with his extraordinary talent. He left the entire audience astonished by effortlessly mastering an impressive five musical instruments: the tabla, harmonium, beatbox, melodica, and keytar.
The atmosphere was electric; students and teachers alike found themselves utterly spellbound. Many confessed they had never witnessed such a breathtaking display of musical prowess, as Adwaith seamlessly transitioned between instruments with the grace and confidence of a veteran artist. His vibrant retro-fusion music, featuring beloved popular hits, had everyone on their feet, dancing and cheering.
Adwaith M. Sree captivates the audience with his keytar performance, following his inauguration of the school arts festival at St. Gemma’s Girls Higher Secondary School, Malappuram. | Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN
Adwaith, an eighth-grade student from Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Kozhikode, had the distinguished role of chief guest for the event. After formally inaugurating the festival by lighting the ceremonial lamp, he seamlessly transitioned into unfolding his mesmerizing musical wizardry.
He kicked off his stage performance by introducing each instrument – the tabla, harmonium, cajon (beatbox), melodica, and keytar – to the eager students. He then enchanted them with melodies like ‘Oru murai vanthu paarthaaya’ on the tabla, ‘Kajara muhabbat wala, ankhiyo me aisa dala’ on the harmonium, and ‘Chirapunji mazhayath, nilaavanji thuzhanjeth’ on the melodica, prompting both students and teachers to sway gracefully in unison. Yet, the audience was unaware that his most electrifying performance was still to come.
Headmistress E.A. Shijimol presents a memento to Adwaith M. Sree after he inaugurated the school arts festival at St. Gemma’s Girls Higher Secondary School, Malappuram. | Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN
Then, in a thrilling move, Adwaith stepped down from the stage and plunged into the midst of the eager crowd, immediately surrounded by a sea of dancing girls. With his keytar in hand, he effortlessly mesmerized them, drawing them into a collective musical trance. Even veteran teachers, typically tasked with managing the stage and student flow, stood utterly stunned. Their quiet awe spoke volumes about the boy’s electrifying performance, which truly brought the house down.
The infectious energy swept through everyone, even drawing a couple of nuns in their white habits into a gentle sway. Clearly inspired by the vibrant dancing surrounding him, Adwaith launched into an incredible 10-minute medley, masterfully blending popular hits from Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam cinema.
His dynamic renditions of ‘Appudi podu podu podu, asathi podu kannaalae,’ ‘Velmuruga haro hara, velayudha haro hara,’ and ‘Tu cheez badi hai mast mast’ ignited the crowd, whipping them into an ecstatic frenzy. Many girls, who recognized him from Instagram, enthusiastically cheered him on, clamoring for an encore.
Adwaith M. Sree demonstrates his impressive mastery over the keytar, an instrument that brilliantly blends keyboard and guitar elements, at St. Gemma’s Girls Higher Secondary School, Malappuram. | Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN
Following his captivating hour-long performance, many students eagerly seized the opportunity to take photos with Adwaith. School manager Sr. Luseena, principal Sr. Joicy, headmistress E.A. Shijimol, PTA president M. Sajeeb, and mother PTA president Ranimol Joseph all showered the young talent with heartfelt praise.
Adwaith’s exceptional keytar performance inevitably drew comparisons to the renowned keyboard maestro Stephen Devassy. Many fans now regard Adwaith as a rising protégé, with the potential to even surpass his idol. Stephen Devassy himself, clearly impressed by Adwaith’s recent debut at Kozhikode beach, publicly shared his appreciation and blessings on social media, further cementing the young artist’s burgeoning reputation.