Kilmisha, an Eelam Tamil from Jaffna, won hearts across the world as she triumphed on season 3 of the prestigious Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil' Champ competition in India this month. Her performances not only captivated audiences but also shed light on her poignant connection to her people.

It is a link that she remains proud of, dedicating her triumph “to our soil and those who sacrificed their lives for our soil,” in a social media post shortly after her victory.

Kilmisha received her prize from renowned actor and music director Yuvan Shankar, and won a host of fans including judges including Srinivas, Abhirami, Vijay Prakash.

Hailing from Jaffna, Kilmisha emerged as a musical prodigy with her mesmerizing voice and emotive performances. Behind the glitz and glamour of her musical success lies a narrative deeply rooted in the Eelam Tamil struggle—a story of resilience, sacrifice, and remembrance.

Her dedication to music and her Eelam Tamil heritage is profoundly intertwined with personal loss. Kilmisha's uncle, an LTTE fighter, was forcibly disappeared during the final stages of the Mullivaikkal genocide—a tragedy that echoes the anguish experienced by many Tamil families.

"My younger brother disappeared before she was born,” her mother said on stage after a moving performance earlier on in the competition. “We were three children. Me, my younger sister; he was the pet of the house. He was 7 years younger to me. We named him Saahithan.”

“At least one person went to join the armed struggle,” her mother continued. “Our brother went to fight on our behalf,” she said to applause from the audience.

“He then disappeared. He went missing during the final conflict. I am proud he went to fight for our country. But I mourn that he is not with us. Every home has a family just like us. "

Kilmisha dedicated a song to her uncle, with his photograph projected on to the stage. Her performance left many in the audience, and around the world, in tears.

"I miss my uncle very much,” she said. “My friends would say that it's their uncle's wedding, that their uncle took them there, their uncle bought them this. So I would think.....if I too had my uncle how he would take me everywhere, I love him so much and I miss him so much. So in this Dedication Round I will sing the song 'kanda vara sollunga’ (Ask him to come if you see him)".

"My daughter Kilmisha carries a huge burden on her heart,” said her father in an interview.  “It is a deep rooted and festering scar. Her uncle, her only uncle, disappearing during the final stages of the war remains a painful scar for our family.”

“Her mother frequently tells Kilmisha about the disappearance of her uncle. How they used to live. How much he loved everyone. "

"My son has disappeared,” said her grandmother. “We are still looking for him. I long for my child to return. The house has no joy."

"Son, when will you come back?” said her grandmother, caressing a photograph of Saahithan. “Your father and I are sat around the house full of sorrow. It's all tears and sorrow.”

“I have a habit of reading newspapers,” said Kilmisha’s grandfather. “To date, I pick up the paper and search for any news on the disappeared."

"We long for the time when there is a new dawn and our child comes back to us".

Kilmisha’s relatives continue to search for her uncle to this day. "Where are our children who were taken?” said another relative. “They were alive when taken. If they were dead we would have done the final rites, first year anniversary rites and the rest. But we didn't get that either."

"Many thousands of our brethren made to disappear are still being searched for,” said another. “We have lost our normal lives while still searching for our disappeared. "

"In Eelam thousands of children like Kilmisha have lost their uncles, siblings, fathers and mothers to disappearances. This is a great pain."

Amidst the accolades and adulation for her musical prowess, Kilmisha stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Eelam Tamil people—a spirit fuelled by the pursuit of justice, remembrance, and a deep-seated connection to her people.

See the video interview with her relatives below.