• Young Turks

She’s just 14 years old, but Chennai-based Sindhuja Rajaraman wasn’t happy merely playing games—she wanted to create them! It isn’t easy to fathom, but this teenager is the founder of Seppan entertainment, making her the world’s youngest CEO.

Juggling school and work seems to be child’s play and this Class IX student has already received her first round of funding of Rs.10 lakh from First Planet, an IT firm. But just how did Sindhuja get started?

“Once I completed my Guinness attempt [for creating the fastest 2D animation film], I was asked to meet Anand Kumar at First Planet the very next day. So I came and met him. I also met Kumaran Mani, CEO of Tenth Planet and First Planet, who was very interested in my work. Even so, when he suggested starting a company, I was really surprised. My mother had some initial queries regarding the prospects and forming of the company, which were cleared by First Planet and then, on October 13, we launched Seppan. My sister, a Japanese haiku writer, chose the name for me,” recalls Sindhuja with a smile.

This young CEO seems is in no mood to take it easy! In 2010, Sindhuja was adjudged the fastest 2D and 3D animator in India by NASSCOM at the gaming and animation conclave.

She is also the youngest digital caricaturist certified by Corel, a leading software development company. And she could soon find a place in the Guinness Book of Records for creating the fastest 2D animation film.

The results are not in just yet and this young achiever is waiting with bated breath. So what’s next on the anvil for this talented and young go-getter?

“We are trying to create many different communities for Seppan. We are going to do small projects, each of which will be of less than 5 minutes duration. I will create many ventures in India and provide employment to many people via Seppan. Otherwise, I have seen that many talented Indian animators shift to foreign companies like Walt Disney, and Indian animation companies get left behind,” says Sindhuja.

Sounds like big dreams for someone so young but Sindhuja has her eyes firmly on her goal. “There was a time when I wanted to go to the Monte Walker film school. But now, I learn many things from my father and the Internet. So, I might go to Monte Walker after three years to do my 2D and 3D animation course. I like to create animations, animated short films and short advertisements. That is my dream till now,” signs off this talented young achiever.

So, I might go to Monte Walker after three years to do my 2D and 3D animation course. I like to create animations, animated short films and short advertisements. That is my dream till now,” signs off this talented young achiever.

©Entrepreneur May 2011

Tags:
2D, 3D, Anand Kumar, Animation, animator, corel, First Planet, Guinness, Guinness book of world records, Kumaran Mani, Monte Walker, NASSCOM, Seppan, Sindhuja Rajaraman, Tenth Planet, walt disney