Tulasi Hegde

Tulasi Hegde (17), comes from a very rural, low-income background herself, hailing from Bettakoppa in Sirsi, a small town in Karnataka, India. Perhaps it’s fitting that her mother, Gayatri Hegde, listened to Yakshagana songs while pregnant with her—music has been at the heart of Tulasi’s mission ever since.

Using this traditional art form, Tulasi has traveled deep into rural areas to spread awareness about children’s rights to education, food, and clothing. For over 12 years, she has performed Yakshagana shows, using the money she raises to directly help children in need—anyone who needs support can come to her, and she helps with her own hard-earned money. Through this dedication, she has helped hundreds of children access basic necessities and opportunities.

Tulasi’s consistency has paid off: over more than a decade of shows and fundraising, she has built a devoted following. Her story shows how tradition and culture can become powerful tools for children’s rights, one performance at a time.