Image Source: Malayala Manorama
In a dazzling blend of tradition and athleticism, a 10-year-old Indian expat girl from Kerala has taken the internet by storm after a video of her skateboarding in a silk dhavani for Onam celebrations went viral across social media platforms. The video, which features Anwita Stalin, a Grade Five student at India International School, Sharjah, has captivated millions with its unique fusion of cultural pride and sporting prowess.
The Viral Moment
The now-iconic video opens with a poetic flourish: flowers delicately placed on a skateboard, which scatter in slow motion as Anwita leaps onto the board. Set to the festive track “Onam Mood” from the Malayalam film Sahasam, the video captures Anwita skating in a traditional silk dhavani—a half-saree ensemble complete with a full skirt, blouse, and dupatta. Her long hair, adorned with jasmine flowers, flows behind her as she performs flips and spins with remarkable ease.
The video has amassed over 2.8 million views on Anwita’s Instagram account (@anwi_ska8ter) and another 2.3 million views on her father’s Facebook page, making her an overnight sensation.
Tradition Meets Talent
What makes Anwita’s performance so compelling is the juxtaposition of her attire and her sport. Skateboarding, often associated with urban youth culture, rarely intersects with traditional Indian clothing. Yet Anwita’s graceful movements in her dhavani evoke the image of a modern-day warrior—confident, rooted, and fearless.
“I didn’t feel any difference when I skated in dhavani, and I didn’t feel any fear of falling,” Anwita told Gulf News in a phone interview from Kerala, where she is currently participating in the district-level qualifiers for the 2025 National Skating Championship. “I liked the video very much but didn’t expect it to go viral like this. Now, some people have started identifying me as the skating girl from the viral video. I am so happy about it.”
Family Behind the Fame
Anwita’s parents, Stalin Meledath Mohanan, a supervisor at Drydocks World in Dubai, and Shini Stalin, a pharmacist, have been instrumental in nurturing her talent. Her father, who edited the video, revealed that they had initially asked her to perform only a simple trick with flowers on the board. But Anwita had other plans.
“She decided to get into the medium bowl at the Amar Omar Skating Park in Sharjah,” he said. “We were slightly scared she might trip and fall. But she did an excellent job. I edited the video in slow motion, and it came out very well”.
Onam in the UAE: A Cultural Continuum
Though Onam officially concluded on September 5, the spirit of the festival continues to thrive among the Malayali diaspora in the UAE, with celebrations often extending for weeks. Anwita’s video is a testament to how cultural traditions can be reimagined and celebrated in new, dynamic ways—even thousands of miles away from home.
Her performance has sparked conversations about identity, representation, and the evolving nature of cultural expression. Social media users have praised her for “bringing Onam to the skate park” and “redefining what it means to be a modern Malayali girl.”
Beyond the Viral Fame
Anwita is no stranger to competitive skating. She has previously won medals in park and street skating categories at national-level championships. Her current trip to Kerala is part of her journey to qualify for the 2025 National Skating Championship, where she hopes to represent her district and, eventually, her adopted home in the UAE.
Her skating style—goofy-footed, with her right foot forward—is inspired by her idol, Keegan Palmer, the two-time Olympic gold medalist from Australia. Anwita’s dedication to the sport, combined with her cultural pride, makes her a role model for young athletes everywhere.
A Symbol of Fusion
In a world often divided between tradition and modernity, Anwita’s viral video is a reminder that the two can coexist beautifully. Her story is not just about a girl on a skateboard—it’s about a generation that’s unafraid to honor its roots while carving out new paths.
As one commenter aptly put it: “She didn’t just skate—she glided through history, wrapped in silk and courage.”
Sources: Gulf News, Malayala Manorama
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