A Talent for Music and Translation: Varun Ravindran

A Talent for Music and Translation: Varun Ravindran 

Varun Ravindran is an autistic adult and a shining example of the potential that individuals on the spectrum can achieve with the right support and opportunities. He is a participant in the Employability Training Program for Autistic and Neurodiverse Adults, run by CADRRE - The Autism Centre, Trivandrum. Known for his ever-present smile and jovial personality, Varun brings enthusiasm and positivity to everything he undertakes.

One of Varun’s most remarkable qualities is his deep passion for languages. Although his mother tongue is Malayalam, his interests extend far beyond it. He is particularly fond of learning Telugu and has also explored Arabic, German, French, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, and more. His linguistic abilities were showcased impressively when he transliterated the Sri Lakshmi Sahasranama Stotram from the Skandhapuranam, originally composed by Sanatkumara. This work earned him high praise from Prof. N. Bhakthavathsala Reddy, a former professor and dean at Telugu University, Warangal. The professor commended Varun’s exceptional skill, noting that transliterating Sanskrit texts into the Telugu script without errors is a daunting task, even for native speakers. Yet, Varun accomplished it flawlessly.

In addition to his love for languages, Varun is passionate about technology. He is currently pursuing a Data Annotation course, conducted by Orchvate, Bangalore, further honing his computer skills.

Varun’s talents are not limited to academics and technology. He is also a music enthusiast and had the honor of performing in a classical music concert in collaboration with MJ Music Zone, headed by the legendary M. Jayachandran, and under the guidance of his guru, Dr. Kollam G. S. Balamurali. Varun is currently pursuing his Carnatic musical studies at Sangeeta Bharati, where he is mentored by the renowned Dr. Omanakutty teacher.

In every sense, Varun is a jack of all trades, excelling in diverse areas and inspiring everyone around him with his dedication and joy for learning. His achievements demonstrate that with the right environment and encouragement, neurodiverse individuals can truly thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.

Below are pictures of Varun's notebooks containing translations of text in various languages, as well of images of his performance at a Carnatic Music event.