Remember Veekhash? In 2023, FMT Lifestyle featured this gifted boy who made it into the Malaysia Book of Records for identifying 40 car logos in under a minute.
Now, at just four years old, Veekhash Logendran is back in the spotlight – this time as the youngest finalist in the Asia Talent Search 2024.
Competing against participants of all ages from various countries who showcased their talents from singing and dancing to performing magic tricks – Veekhash emerged as one of the 13 finalists.
After auditioning in May 2024, Veekhash made Asia Talent Search history in December when he became the youngest ever to reach the finals, held at the Temple of Fine Arts in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
Speaking to FMT Lifestyle at their home in Rawang, his mother, Rubini Ramasamy, admitted they never saw this coming.
“We simply wanted Veekhash to explore as many opportunities as possible, and discover his talents. We never thought he would come this far in the competition, and it’s a big achievement for us.”
Since FMT Lifestyle’s last meeting with the family, Veekhash has added a few more records and awards to his name – along with plenty of new tricks up his sleeve.
Rubini also talked about why she entered her son into the Asia Talent Search last year.
“I’ve always been scared to talk on a stage and I didn’t want Veekhash to have that same fear. That’s why we took the effort to make this happen.” Rubini added, “It’s not about winning or losing, it’s the experience he gained that’s important.”
She shared that preparing for the competition, spanning 10 months and three rounds, was no easy feat.
Last year, Veekhash could identify over 100 car logos. This time, on stage in Round 1, he impressed the judges by naming more than 200 car logos along with their countries of origin.
But it wasn’t just about showcasing his talent; Veekhash also had to learn the ropes of acting.
In Round 2, he took on the role of a scientist, delivering a creative presentation on the first 20 elements of the periodic table and their groups. Now, he knows all 118 elements – an achievement that earned him a spot in the finale!
Rubini said that while Veekhash was used to the technique of memorisation, performing on stage was completely new to him.
After Round 1, he attended speech and drama classes twice a week, funded entirely by the parents, with his mum making the long trips from Rawang to Kota Kemuning where the classes were held. Rubini did all this while balancing work commitments and the boy’s schooling.
“We made all these sacrifices for him, but I feel it’s nothing compared to his achievement and how proud he has made us,” Rubini said.
“We’ve never forced him to do anything.” In fact, it’s quite the opposite, she said. “There are days when he won’t let us go until we sit down and complete the flash cards with him.”
This mother believes that such competitions at an early age help build confidence. “They teach children how to handle pressure positively. Healthy competition is all about learning and having fun along the way,” she said.
In the Grand Finale, Veekhash took to the stage as the “Little Curious Explorer”, sharing unique facts about Malaysia. Using props, he highlighted the heritage of states like Penang, Melaka, Sarawak, and Malaysia’s capital city Kuala Lumpur, reflecting his pride in the nation’s diversity.
While Veekhash didn’t take home the win, the family couldn’t be prouder of how far he has come.
Today, Veekhash keeps honing his skills, constantly learning and impressing those around him. His latest talent? Identifying countries by their national emblems.
There’s no stopping this young boy, so don’t be surprised if we hear even bigger news from him in the near future.