“I’ve always had a fascination with Singing reality shows ever since I was a kid. I would sit in front of the TV, watching those performances and dreaming of being on one of those stages myself. So, when I found out that AHA was holding Telugu Indian Idol Season 3 auditions, I was beyond excited. I took part in the auditions and then, when I got the call asking if I’d be a part of this season, I knew I couldn’t say no—it felt like a dream finally coming true.

Music has always been a part of my life. My parents are singers, and my grandparents were musicians too. You could say I grew up surrounded by music. I picked up the violin when I was about four and a half—it was the first instrument I ever played. But my love for music didn’t stop there. I was really interested in percussion instruments too—tabla, mridangam, drums, you name it. Out of curiosity, I started learning tabla, even completing a two-year certificate course. In school, I was the kid always playing drums, and I still enjoy playing mridangam to this day. Singing came into the picture gradually as I grew older.

Interestingly, while music is my passion, mathematics has always been my other love. I just enjoy playing with numbers, and it’s something that fascinates me.

The instruments I play have shaped my singing in so many ways. The violin helps me understand tunes better, while the percussion instruments give me a strong sense of rhythm. Combining these skills has really helped me grow as a musician.

I have my favorite artists, like Sonu Nigam and Arijit Singh, and I’m a huge fan of classical music. I also play the flute, which has helped me understand music from different angles. And here’s something fun—when I was four, my dad taught me how to whistle. Now, I can whistle really well, and it’s something I enjoy doing.

Music and playing instruments bring me pure happiness. That’s what keeps my passion alive. While I love singing, I’ve always dreamed of becoming a composer. To me, music is like a textbook, and singing is just one chapter. There’s so much more to explore, and I want to dive into it all. Someday, I hope to become a music director, creating my own compositions.

My mom has been my biggest inspiration in this journey. She always wanted me to become a singer, and her encouragement is what pushes me to keep going every day.

Being a part of Telugu Indian Idol Season 3 has been nothing short of amazing. The judges and mentors have taught me so much, and each day on the show is a new learning experience. Every mistake on stage is a lesson, helping me grow not just as a singer but as a musician overall. If I had to describe my experience in one word, it would be “learning.”

There are two moments on the show that I’ll never forget. The first is when I got the Golden Mic during auditions—it was such a special moment for me. The second is when we composed a song for Rashmika Mandanna when she came on the show. Watching her and the judges enjoy our composition was an incredible feeling.

To anyone who loves singing, playing an instrument, or pursuing any passion—just keep going and keep learning. If I can do it, so can you. Music is everywhere, and once you realize that, it will awaken the musician in you.”

• Skanda Veluvali, Telugu Indian Idol Season 3 Contestant