A GIFTED musician from Forest School has shown off her skills on a traditional Indian violin.

Tharani Nithiyananthan graduated in 'Carnatic' violin after putting on a special performance of the traditional instrument in front of an audience of experts.

At 14 Tharani was particularly young to be performing the "Arangetram" - which means ascending the stage in Tamil.

Forest teacher George Paynter said the event was a nerve-wracking public demonstration of the teenager's musical skill.

He said: "It can be best thought of as the passage of an instrumentalist from pupil status to a more professional standard. 

"Arangetrams may be held on different instruments or indeed performed as a dance. 

"The arangetram is a real occasion - the students perform for several hours in front of a huge audience. 

"All the pieces are played from memory and are designed to show the pupil's technical and musical proficiency. To achieve the standard required takes years of dedication and self-discipline."

A group of Tharani's teachers and friends all turned out to support her at the arangetram - which was held in Basildon. 

Tharani said: "Learning the violin extended my knowledge and understanding of my religion, culture and traditions."