Rashmi Rekha Das, OP
Class X student Chinmay Rath is a talented singer and gifted artist but his aim is to become a doctor and save as many lives as he can
He is an all-rounder in the true sense. Be it study or extracurricular activities, he excels in every domain. He has always topped his class since he got into school. He is also a brilliant singer and promising artist. Meet Chinmay Rath, Class X student of BJEM School who wears many hats with ease. In a candid chat with Orissa Post, the lad of many talents talks about his aims and ambitions.
Born to businessman Rajeev Lochan and homemaker Anita Rath, Chinmay is a known face in reality shows like ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs’, ‘Junior Melody’ and ‘Kuna Kuni Mela’ aired on Sarthak, Tarang Music and Kalinga TV respectively.
Asked how he developed an interest in music, Chinmay’s mother said: “Chinmay loves to listen to devotional and classical songs. When he was only one and half years old, he would eat only after I played songs, especially devotional songs by Bhikari Bal on the record player. At the age of three, he could sing the famous song ‘Nanda Mundia Driver’ sung by the legendary Akshaya Mohanty. We noticed his growing passion for music and decided to help him follow his passion. Today he is loved by scores of music lovers. He has been awarded by the Prafulla Kar Foundation, Itikili Mitikili, Sambhabana, Kasturi and other organistions.”
Dwelling on her son’s passion for art, Anita said: “Painting comes to him naturally. Once we were on our way to Jatni from Bhubaneswar when we happened to witness an accident. A picnic bus had turned turtle on the national highway and several picnickers had sustained serious injuries. When we reached home, Chinmay immediately took out his pencil and colour box from his bag and started sketching the scene he had witnessed. We were surprised to see his detailed description of the scene and the surroundings. He did the painting when he was only four years old. Apart from winning art competitions organised by organisations like Kalpataru Art and Craft and Itikili Mitikili, he has won awards in inter-school competitions.”
Chinmay is an avid reader who loves writing poems and travel stories. His writings have been published in many children’s magazines including ‘Kuni Katha’, a popular children’s magazine.
Chinmay, who is presently learning Odissi music and live songs under the tutelage of Pradyumna Nayak and Basant Patra respectively, said: “It’s not difficult for me to choose my first love — singing. But, above all, I prefer to be known as an entertainer.”
Though he wears many hats, Chinmay’s aim is not to carve a niche in the fields of art and music. He wants to be a doctor. “My grandfather died of blood cancer,” he said. “It took me several years to come to terms with the loss. The immediate thought that crossed my mind upon seeing my grandfather writhing in pain was that I could have saved my ailing grandfather from the clutches of death if I were a doctor. That’s why I decided to become a doctor and save as many lives I can. That will give me happiness and solace.”
Chinmay who topped the Science Olympiad Foundation in 2008, is good at presenting extempore and speaking at debate competitions. He, however, attributes his success to the support of his parents.
