10-Year-Old Indian ‘Rock Goddess’ Finds A Fan In Anand Mahindra After Jaw-Dropping America’s Got Talent Audition
Industrialist Anand Mahindra extended a special invitation to Neelakantan to perform at the prestigious Mahindra Blues event, an annual celebration of blues music in Mumbai.
Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra was recently left impressed by a 10-year-old Indian girl who auditioned for Season 19 of the US talent show, ‘America’s Got Talent’. The girl, Maya
Neelakantan, gained global attention with her incredible guitar skills – she entered the stage in traditional Indian attire that one doesn’t usually associate with rock guitarists, and started the audition with a haunting tip of the hat to Carnatic music. Soon, however, the mood shifted and she launched into an electric rendition of Papa Roach’s ‘Last Resort’.
Not only were the judges and audience blown away, Mahindra took to X to express his appreciation, and invited her to perform at Mahindra Blues, an annual event in Mumbai dedicated to celebrating blues music.
Oh My God
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 29, 2024
Maya Neelakantan is only 10 years old. 10!
Yes, Simon, she’s a Rock Goddess.
From the land of Goddesses.
We have to get her back here to do her stuff at the @mahindrablues !@jaytweetshah @vgjairam pic.twitter.com/sRNHPBondg
Sharing her video on X, he wrote: “Oh my God, Maya Neelakantan is only 10 years old. 10! Yes, Simon, she’s a rock Goddess, from the land of Goddesses. We have to get her back here to do her stuff at the @mahindrablues!”
In response to Mahindra, Neelakantan wrote, “Thank you so much, @anandmahindra ji! It’s an honor to hear that from you! I’m very happy to see that people enjoy my version of merging Carnatic Music with Heavy Metal since I love both of them. Thank you for all the love and support! It really means a lot!”
Who Is Maya Neelakantan?
Neelakantan is well-known on social media for her impressive renditions of classic rock and metal songs by iconic bands like Metallica and Tool. Her main inspirations are Adam Jones, the guitarist of Tool, and Gary Holt of Exodus and Slayer. Her performances have brought her appreciation from some of the most recognised guitarists, including Holt and Jones.
On America’s Got Talent, Maya amazed all the judges – Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel – with her flawless performance. Simon Cowell, one of the judges, referred to her as a ‘Rock Goddess’ after she received a standing ovation from the crowd.
How People Reacted To The Video
People have dropped heartfelt comments on the video since the post was shared on June 29, receiving around 1.2 million views.
A user commented, “Dressed in a traditional Ghagra and shining bindi on her forehead, Neelakantan looked like anything but a typical rock musician with an Indian twist.”
Another shared, “What control, focus and sheer understanding of music! This is a prime example of talent curated from a tender age and blossoming for the good of the public at large! An artist is a mass spreader of happiness and smiles! God bless her!”
A third user said, “I play guitar and can never play near this. For a 10-year-old, proud and tears in eyes for a fellow guitarist. Child prodigy.”
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