Watch: Navya Bhaskaran, child of determination, drops Arabic cover song on Ramadan

“The achievements that people of determination have made in various spheres over the past years are proof that determination and strong will can do the impossible and encourage people to counter challenges and difficult circumstances while firmly achieving their goals,” said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in 2017, when he coined a new term for the specially-abled: People of determination.

Navya Karapath Bhaskaran, a 15-year-old Keralite with mild cerebral palsy living in Sharjah, is garnering support and attention for all the right reasons. Recently, Navya released her first-ever Arabic cover, of Marhab Ya Hilal, a Ramadan-based song by Kuwaiti singer Humood Othman AlKhudher. She shared the music video on her YouTube channel which has over 500 subscribers. Previously, Navya had released two albums in Malayalam with renowned South Indian artists.

Navya’s interest in music and singing began at the young age of three. Singing has built her confidence, and the appreciation she garners keeps her going. In a conversation with City Times, Navya said, “I love singing and studying music. I am never tired of it.”

“I am only tired of studying math,” she added.

Vandana Bhaskaran, Navya’s mother, who is a doctor in a clinic in Ajman, believes that her daughter’s singing talent inspires wonder in the audience. “Once Navya is on stage, she captures the attention of the audience instantly through her effortless speech, which might be her instinctive way of reaching out to people as a differently-abled singer,” Vandana said.

Endowed with great qualities, Navya excels in demonstrating her lucid singing skills. She loves singing, and she has the accolades to show for it. Navya holds the U18 Grand Champion 2019 title of The One, one of the UAE’s biggest singing competitions. During the Abu Dhabi Special Olympics in 2019, Navya was chosen to share the stage with American actress and singer, Keala Settle, who is known for her role as the bearded lady Lettie Lutz in The Greatest Showman.