The power of 5: City youngsters who made Chennai proud!

They may belong to different industries, but they have some things in common ��� they���re all from this city and helped put the city on a global platform. With Chennai Times celebrating five years in the city this April 14, we showcase five youngsters who���ve been there and done that. Here���s celebrating talent in the city.
SHRAVANTHI SAINATH: Even before she could take up her board exams, Shravanthi Sainath had already appeared in a role in acclaimed filmmaker Ang Lee���s Life of Pi.This Chennai youngster was roped in for the Bollywood flick because of her interest in dance, which she���s currently pursuing under Sheela Unnikrishnan. Shravanthi filmed with the crew after a couple of screen tests at Taiwan. This self-confessed fan of Aishwarya Rai (���I���m not just her fan, I���m her devotee���) is looking to do more challenging films in the future and of course, pursue her first love ��� dancing ��� as well.
ROCHELLE: When this top model from Chennai bagged the Femina Miss India International 2012, we all knew that she was going places. That���s not all - Rochelle Maria Rao went on to represent the country at the international pageant as well. Currently, Rochelle is a TV host as well, thanks to the ongoing IPL season where she interviews cricketing personalities. She���s also interested in the film industry and states that she���ll have an advantage in the south film industry as she���s from here. Her mantra in life is simple ��� don���t be scared, follow your dreams and work hard. And, that���s exactly what this pretty model is doing now!
BABA APARAJITH: He���s just a little over 18, but Baba Aparajith has already proved himself on the cricket field. This city youngster, who grew up playing the sport in Chennai, grabbed national headlines when he performed well in the under 19 cricket World Cup, which India won under Unmukt Chand. In the prestigious tournament, Aparajith scored more than 170 runs, besides taking a few wickets and fielding well. He���s now part of the Chennai Super Kings��� squad as well.
ABHISHEK RAGHURAM: A fast-rising Carnatic vocalist, this city youngster is the recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi���s Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar. A voice quite familiar with the city���s Carnatic rasikas, Abhishek is the grandson of renowned percussionist Palghat Raghu. This singer, who recently shared the stage with legendary instrumentalist Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia at a concert, regularly does kutcheri tours abroad to enthral rasikas there. Abhishek also plays the mridangam, which he learnt when he was young, as a hobby these days.
VANDANA SRINIVASAN: When city band Stacatto was invited to perform as sidelights during the Olympic Games, singer Vandana Srinivasan was on cloud nine. The band also performed Tamil numbers like Chandralekha��� and Thumbi Va��� during the occasion that had audiences from all over the world. Currently, Vandana is also a much sought-after singer among Kollywood���s composers, having sung in albums like Thaandavam and Paradesi, and has songs in Kannada and Telugu as well. Through her initiative called Vandanam, she plans to work with artists, in India and abroad, and release them as a series of video projects.