Indian Expat Girl in UAE Goes Viral Skating in Silk Dhavani for Onam
Young Indian Expat in UAE Goes Viral Skating in Traditional Attire
Sharjah, UAE – A 10-year-old Indian expat has captured hearts worldwide by blending tradition and modern sport in a spectacular viral video. Anwita Stalin, a Grade Five student at India International School, Sharjah, stunned viewers with her skateboarding performance in a silk dhavani, adorned with jasmine flowers, to celebrate Onam, Kerala’s iconic harvest festival.
The video, shared on Instagram and Facebook, quickly went viral, amassing over 2.8 million views on Instagram and 2.3 million on Facebook. Online, she is known as Anwi Skater, becoming a symbol of cultural pride and sporting passion rolled into one.
Capturing the Spirit of Onam
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 “Onam Mood” from the film Sahasam, perfectly blending heritage and athleticism.
Skating goofy-footed, with her right foot forward like her idol, Olympic gold medalist Keegan Palmer, Anwita’s silk dhavani and jasmine braid flowed dramatically with each trick, evoking images of a modern-day warrior in motion.
“I Didn’t Expect It to Go Viral”
Currently in Kerala for district-level skateboarding qualifiers, Anwita shared her surprise:
“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.”
Her father, Stalin Meledath Mohanan, said the initial plan was a simple trick with flowers, but Anwita insisted on performing in the medium bowl at Aljada Skate Park, Sharjah, turning the shoot into a cinematic display.
Rising Star in Skateboarding
Anwita’s journey in skateboarding began in 2023 with a secondhand board gifted by her uncle. In just two years, she has trained under three professional coaches and won numerous accolades:
🥈 2024 National Silver Medal, India
🥇 + 🥈 2025 India Skate Ranking Championships
🥈 Kerala State Skateboarding Championship (Park & Street)
🥇 UAE Pump Track Championship, Fujairah
Though she will miss the 2028 Olympics due to the age requirement of 14, her sights are set on National Finals in Vishakhapatnam this year and the Asian Games in 2026.
Family Support Behind Success
Anwita’s achievements are backed by her parents’ dedication. They drive her to training four days a week, where she practices 2–3 hours per session. Her school accommodates her sporting commitments, allowing her to retake exams missed during competitions. Her mother, Shini Stalin, emphasized balancing academics with skating:
“The viral video is just the beginning. What matters is her discipline and love for the sport.”
A Global Symbol of Tradition and Talent
Anwita’s viral performance has resonated far beyond the Indian community, earning praise for breaking stereotypes and showing that tradition and modernity can coexist. Her story is a testament to resilience, ambition, and the universal language of sport.
As Onam celebrations continue among Malayali expats, Anwita’s dhavani-clad skateboarding performance will be remembered as a unique fusion of culture, creativity, and athleticism.
Related News
