In this inspiring talk, Suriya Banu shares her decade-long journey of self-expression through the world of cosplay. From watching anime during a time when it was still niche in India to transforming that fascination into a vibrant form of art, Suriya explores how cosplay became more than just dressing up and how it became a way to understand herself, build confidence, and connect with a community that celebrates creativity and individuality. Her story reveals how embodying fictional characters can empower real people to embrace who they truly are and express themselves without fear. Suriya highlights the transformative power of creative expression and how art, in any form, can lead to self-discovery. Suriya Banu is an avid gamer, cosplayer and anime nerd from chennai. She has been cosplaying over 10 years and has been an active member in the chennai anime community. Apart from being a cosplayer she has been engaged in the esports industry as a part of Skyesports, India. Her love for video games influences her cosplays heavily. She has won Pheonix Gaming Xpo 2018, been a cosplay judge for Gamer Connect Chennai 2019 and Pop-culture Hiroshima Qualifiers 2020. She has also worked along side brands as a cosplay representative including Pheonix Gaming and Anime Xpo 2019, Redbull Campus clutch 2022 and spear-headed the Artist walk, Chennai 2022. 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
More from TED
- 13:58Conquering the Uphill Battle to Leadership | Dillyara Dosmakova | TEDxKIMEP WomenIn this inspiring TEDx talk, the speaker shares the challenges and triumphs faced on the journey to leadership. Highlighting perseverance, self-belief, and resilience, the talk explores how obstacles—whether social, personal, or systemic—can be transformed into opportunities for growth. It’s a story of determination that motivates others to lead with purpose and courage, no matter how steep the climb. Diar Pro Founder Expert in Oil & Gas Energy sectors corporate consultant 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
- 12:10Baština kroz kolektivno djelovanje | Petra Zebić | TEDxKoprivnicaLibraryPetra i članovi kolektiva žele, zajedno s lokalnim zajednicama, prijateljima i društvima, graditi mostove među generacijama, među imaginacijama i među odsutnošću povezanosti, kako bi omogućili međugeneracijski kontinuitet, razmjenu i kreativnost u području opipljive i neopipljive baštine. Cilj je ponovo uspostaviti lanac prijenosa znanja, vještina i stavova između generacija te potaknuti brigu za prirodu i zajedničko dobro. Petra Zebić je arhitektica i suosnivačica Iskra Kolektiva koja živi i radi u Zagrebu. Trenutačno se pretežito bavi stambenom arhitekturom. Najviše ju zanima održivo i socijalno stanovanje te uloga arhitekture i urbanizma u oblikovanju društvenih zajednica.U okviru Iskra Kolektiva istražuje kulturnu baštinu kroz kreativne i taktilne pristupe, promatrajući je kao vrijednost za suvremeni život, a ne samo kao predmet očuvanja. Inspiraciju pronalazi u tradicionalnim tehnikama i izumima, koje reinterpretira kako bi stvorila nova, funkcionalna i smisleno oblikovana rješenja.Za Petru, baština i suvremenost nisu suprotnosti, nego sugovornici u dijalogu koji vodi prema kulturno održivoj arhitekturi s jasnim identitetom i stvarnom relevantnošću za današnje društvo. 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
- 10:54The power of women’s leadership | Nazym Zhalmukhambet | TEDxKIMEP WomenThis TEDx talk highlights the transformative power of women’s leadership grounded in empathy, compassion, and authenticity. The speaker explores how leading with heart fosters collaboration, trust, and meaningful change in organizations and communities. Through personal stories and real-world examples, the talk celebrates the unique strengths women bring to leadership and inspires others to lead with purpose and humanity. kimep student 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
- 17:43「関係ない」から照らす灯火 | A Light kindled from Indifference | Sawako Shirahase | TEDxUTokyo世界の不平等や格差は、私たちの生活から遠いもののように見えます。でも「当事者でない」からこそできることがあります。社会学者・白波瀬氏が、自分の立場を超えて他者を想像する「他者感覚」の力と、小さな行動が誰かの夜を照らす灯火になりうることを語ります。Global inequality and social gaps may seem distant from our daily lives. But precisely because we are not direct “insiders,” we can play a vital role. Sociologist Professor Hiramase invites us to cultivate “empathy for others” and shows how even small acts from those outside the problem can light hope in someone’s darkest night. Her specialty is sociology, and she recently launched the Endowed Chair in Inclusive Glocal Future Society Program, where she is conducting policy-related research on inclusion from global and local perspectives. 専門は社会学。最近は、包摂型グローカル未来社会寄附講座を立ち上げて、包摂の在り方についてグローバルと地域（ローカル）の視点から政策関連研究を進めている。 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
- 10:19The Power of Not Belonging | Subharna Suruthi | TEDxGIIS DubaiWe’re always told to fit in. To choose a lane. To become one thing. But what if the in-between is where real growth happens? My talk explores “The Third Space” — the powerful place between belonging and becoming. From childhood silence to sports leadership, I share how the grey zones shaped my confidence, resilience, and identity. This talk is a reminder that not belonging isn’t weakness — it’s freedom. And freedom is where we become ourselves. We’re told belonging is everything. But what if the most powerful growth happens when we don’t belong? In this talk, Subharna takes the audience into “The Third Space” — the strange, electric territory between identities where you’re neither this nor that… and yet more than both. Through stories of silence, sport, loss, and leadership, she reveals a surprising truth: the people who don’t fully fit anywhere often become the ones who create what didn’t exist before — and become most fully themselves. 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
- 20:40Kazakhstani Feminism: Empowerment or Entitlement? | Daniil Litosh | TEDxKIMEP WomenThis thought-provoking TEDx talk examines the rise of feminism in Kazakhstan and the debates surrounding it. The speaker explores whether the movement represents genuine empowerment or is misunderstood as entitlement. By analyzing cultural context, social attitudes, and generational perspectives, the talk invites open dialogue about what feminism truly means in the Kazakhstani society today. kimep student: lawyer 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
