Indian Expat Girl in UAE Goes Viral Skating in Silk Dhavani for Onam
<h3>Young Indian Expat in UAE Goes Viral Skating in Traditional Attire</h3><p><strong>Sharjah, UAE</strong> – A 10-year-old Indian expat has captured hearts worldwide by blending <strong>tradition and modern sport</strong> in a spectacular viral video. <strong>Anwita Stalin</strong>, a Grade Five student at India International School, Sharjah, stunned viewers with her <strong>skateboarding performance in a silk dhavani</strong>, adorned with jasmine flowers, to celebrate <strong>Onam</strong>, Kerala’s iconic harvest festival.</p><p>The video, shared on Instagram and Facebook, quickly went viral, amassing <strong>over 2.8 million views on Instagram</strong> and <strong>2.3 million on Facebook</strong>. Online, she is known as <strong>Anwi Skater</strong>, becoming a symbol of <strong>cultural pride and sporting passion rolled into one</strong>.</p><p><strong>Capturing the Spirit of Onam</strong><br>Onam is celebrated with floral carpets, songs, and traditional attire. Anwita’s performance showcased this beautifully: flowers were placed on her skateboard, scattering in slow motion as she executed flips and spins. The clip was synced with the viral Malayalam track <strong>“Onam Mood”</strong> from the film <i>Sahasam</i>, perfectly blending heritage and athleticism.</p><p>Skating <strong>goofy-footed</strong>, with her right foot forward like her idol, Olympic gold medalist <strong>Keegan Palmer</strong>, Anwita’s silk dhavani and jasmine braid flowed dramatically with each trick, evoking images of a <strong>modern-day warrior</strong> in motion.</p><p><strong>“I Didn’t Expect It to Go Viral”</strong><br>Currently in Kerala for district-level skateboarding qualifiers, Anwita shared her surprise:</p><blockquote><p>“I skated just the way I always do. I didn’t feel scared or different in a dhavani. I loved how the video came out but never thought it would go viral.”</p></blockquote><p>Her father, <strong>Stalin Meledath Mohanan</strong>, said the initial plan was a simple trick with flowers, but Anwita insisted on performing in the <strong>medium bowl at Aljada Skate Park, Sharjah</strong>, turning the shoot into a cinematic display.</p><p><strong>Rising Star in Skateboarding</strong><br>Anwita’s journey in skateboarding began in 2023 with a secondhand board gifted by her uncle. In just two years, she has trained under <strong>three professional coaches</strong> and won numerous accolades:</p><p>🥈 2024 National Silver Medal, India</p><p>🥇 + 🥈 2025 India Skate Ranking Championships</p><p>🥈 Kerala State Skateboarding Championship (Park & Street)</p><p>🥇 UAE Pump Track Championship, Fujairah</p><p>Though she will miss the <strong>2028 Olympics</strong> due to the age requirement of 14, her sights are set on <strong>National Finals in Vishakhapatnam</strong> this year and the <strong>Asian Games in 2026</strong>.</p><p><strong>Family Support Behind Success</strong><br>Anwita’s achievements are backed by her parents’ dedication. They drive her to <strong>training four days a week</strong>, where she practices 2–3 hours per session. Her school accommodates her sporting commitments, allowing her to <strong>retake exams missed during competitions</strong>. Her mother, <strong>Shini Stalin</strong>, emphasized balancing academics with skating:</p><blockquote><p>“The viral video is just the beginning. What matters is her discipline and love for the sport.”</p></blockquote><p><strong>A Global Symbol of Tradition and Talent</strong><br>Anwita’s viral performance has resonated far beyond the Indian community, earning praise for <strong>breaking stereotypes</strong> and showing that <strong>tradition and modernity can coexist</strong>. Her story is a testament to <strong>resilience, ambition, and the universal language of sport</strong>.</p><p>As Onam celebrations continue among Malayali expats, Anwita’s <strong>dhavani-clad skateboarding performance</strong> will be remembered as a <strong>unique fusion of culture, creativity, and athleticism</strong>.</p>