Jeremiah De Rozario’s speech was a powerful blend of personal testimony, artistic reflection, and human truth. His words carried the weight of experience, transforming moments of despair into lessons of resilience and creativity.He began by tracing his early journey — a familiar path of a “good Indian boy.” A diligent student, Jeremiah pursued his MBA from CUSAT and went on to secure a respectable position with Federal Bank. It was a life marked by discipline, structure, and security, the very markers of success that society often celebrates.But when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Jeremiah’s life, like that of millions, was shaken. Relocated to a new environment and isolated from loved ones, he found himself battling loneliness and uncertainty. He recounted how one night, overwhelmed by fear and doubt, he collapsed on the cold cream mosaic floor. In that vulnerable moment, images of his family flooded his mind — a haunting thought crossed him: “Will I ever see them again?”Yet, from that breaking point emerged his first song. Without planning or technical calculation of melody or structure, music flowed through him. He reflected on the mystery of this creation — did the song come from him, or through him? This question has since fascinated him: Where does art truly come from?On stage, with his guitar as a companion, Jeremiah admitted that he is often caught between two voices. The logical side asks questions, analyzes, and doubts. But the creative side whispers: “It is time to create — if not you, then someone else will.” This inner dialogue shapes his art, reminding him that creativity is less about ownership and more about being a vessel.He urged his audience to view art as a mirror — not something we fully control, but something that passes through us. The moments of despair, the sudden visions of family, the tears on a mosaic floor — all these fragments became seeds of creation. For him, art is not merely made, it is revealed.In closing, Jeremiah left his listeners with a profound insight: Art does not belong to us alone. It is not simply ours to own, but ours to share. It comes through us, carrying pieces of our experience, and in that process, it becomes universal. Kerala’s own Jeremiah de Rozario is a singer-songwriter rooted in indie pop with hints of folk rock. Inspired by life experiences and stories around him, his music is often described as “What if Ed Sheeran had a baby with The 1975?” Jeremiah has released five singles and a four-track EP, all praised for their relatable writing and catchy arrangements, finding space on multiple playlists. Having opened for acts like Matthew Ifield, When Chai Met Toast, Tejas and Sooraj Santhosh, he has become a familiar name at cultural events in and beyond Kerala. This Kochi boy has headlined stages at Covelong Classic Surf & Music Festival, Bloomingreen, Majuli Music Festival, Sofar shows across Kochi, Bangalore, Chennai & Goa, OnFleak Kochi, Heart XP and more. He also completed a successful solo South India tour across four cities, selling over 300 tickets, cementing his place as one of Kerala’s rising indie voices. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx