Varun Unni, in his speech, expressed that music has always been a source of peace for him. He stated that listening to the same melody every day brings calmness, focus, and balance to the mind, and when the mind is calm, creativity flows naturally.He emphasized that originality is not something one finds outside, but something one builds within. According to him, it does not emerge instantly but comes from patience, persistence, and consistency. He added that when a person keeps showing up day after day, originality becomes their natural expression.Varun outlined three simple strategies to nurture originality. First, he advised cultivating inner silence, as the world is filled with external noise, but true wisdom comes from listening to the inner voice. Second, he stressed the importance of persistence, since originality is a long-term process that requires time, effort, and belief in oneself. Third, he encouraged facing fears, stating that once a person does the very thing they fear, the fear disappears.He also mentioned that before beginning his work, he spends time in meditation, as only when the mind is centered can creativity flow in its purest form.Reflecting on the present digital world where everything is available at one’s fingertips, Varun advised making AI a friend and not a master. He reminded that while technology can provide support, it should never replace originality, since the world values uniqueness over copy-paste versions.He acknowledged A.R. Rahman as his source of inspiration, noting that Rahman’s journey demonstrates how true originality is born from inner focus, dedication, and humility.Varun concluded his speech with a powerful message: to be oneself, remain original, never give up, and always listen to the inner voice, for it will guide one to where they truly belong. Varun Unni is a music director, singer, and producer with over 15 years in the industry. Known for versatility across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films, his viral hit Pathayorangale Bhoothakaalangale with 10M+ views cemented him as a bold new-generation talent. He debuted with Annum Innum Ennum and recently worked on Azadi in Malayalam, The Door in Tamil, and the Telugu film Kothapallilo, besides composing for Kannada cinema. A trained classical musician, he fuses rock, R&B, pop, jazz, and Indian classical styles. Beyond films, he has scored for brands like Samsung, Ooredoo, and Chemmanur, and won global awards for background score and sound design. In 2020, he launched Eighth Note, a digital channel reviving timeless classics, making him one of South India’s most engaging music voices today. 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