In a remarkable feat, eighteen-year-old Suchetha Satish, hailing from Kannur and currently residing in the UAE, has secured a coveted place in the Guinness World Records. She achieved this milestone by singing in an impressive 140 languages during a nine-hour-long ‘Concert for Climate’ in Dubai. This extraordinary performance served as a prelude to COP, the UN climate conference held at Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12.
Suchetha’s achievement surpasses the previous record of 121 languages held by Pune-based vocalist Manjushree Oak. This accomplishment not only showcases her vocal prowess but also underscores her commitment to raising awareness about climate change.
The concert, held at the Indian Consulate Auditorium in Dubai on November 24, 2023, aimed to emphasize the global impact of climate change, coinciding with COP 28. Suchetha, a first-year degree student in Dubai, chose the symbolic number 140 to represent the nations attending the summit.
Speaking about her motivation, Suchetha mentioned that she could sing in 145 languages but deliberately chose 140 to align with the countries participating in COP 28. She expressed her deep concern about climate change, considering it a global issue that requires collective action.
Suchetha’s journey into multilingual singing started at the age of 10 when she learned a Japanese song from her father’s friend. Over the years, she expanded her repertoire to include languages from various regions, including Indian tribal and African languages.
Her parents, T C Satish, a dermatologist, and Sumitha Ayilliath, identified her musical talent at the age of four. Suchetha is proficient in Carnatic and Hindustani music, and her passion for transcending linguistic boundaries through music has become her guiding principle.
This young musician’s dedication to using her talent as a powerful medium to address critical global issues stands as an inspiration for many.
