But 18-year-old Liel Kolet is not a model, even though her beauty has mesmerised people the world over, including former US president Bill Clinton, Bono and Elton John.
Teenage songstress Liel Kolet can trace her roots to the Koleti village
MUMBAI: When she walked on Marine Drive in her black tee and shorts, her beautiful khol-lined eyes taking in everything about the city, traffic came to a halt, as people simply stopped and stared at this beauty who exuded confidence. But 18-year-old Liel Kolet is not a model, even though her beauty has mesmerised people the world over, including former US president Bill Clinton, Bono and Elton John. She is an Israeli singer, song writer and also a messenger of peace.
But coming from war-torn Israel, Liel’s musical journey wasn't a cinch. "I have witnessed the atrocities caused to my people. I knew I had to do something to bring peace in my own small way," she said with quiet determination. And what better way to spread peace than through music. Even though she is a teenager, Liel is already an official ambassador for the North of Israel and two peace organisations in the US and the UK. "The peace songs that I compose are out of the desire to spread the message of peace" she says.
And boy, can she sing. At the age of 11, when other children were grappling with school work, Liel won the prestigious European talent contest, Bravo Bravissimo. "Every time I think I have achieved something big, something bigger is waiting to happen," she grins. At the end of the month, she will be performing for the Vatican.
But Mumbai, holds a special place for the 18-year-old. The city was her grandfather's home, many years ago. She recounts of how she travelled to his village — Koleti — a two hour ferry-ride from the Gateway of India.
"My grandfather often told me stories about India. I was so overwhelmed to go back to our village" says Liel. "I taped the whole trip.”
She sings fluently in seven languages including Hebrew, Arabic and Spanish, and she's eager to learn Hindi. "Can you suggest some music albums I take back home?" she asks me. Liel's face lights up when we talk about Bollywood.
"I love the bright colours, the fast pace, the song and dance sequences — it's all so beautiful, so colourful", she smiles and breaks into a dance that she's picked up from a Hindi film.
So is Bollywood on her mind? "You never know. I am surely coming back. Something just might click" she signs off.
Liel performed at the Tata Theatre, NCPA, last night
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=tracking}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}