THERE is more to pageantry than meets the eye.
That was the belief that drove Nisha Sri Yoganathan, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Mass Communication student at INTI International College Penang, to enter a pageant.
She did so determined to challenge the perception that pageants are mainly about appearance.
Her commitment to learning how to speak clearly, think under pressure, and represent her cultural identity with confidence paid off, earning her the Miss Colours of India Competition 2026 – Penang Edition title ahead of 22 contestants from across Malaysia.
“I wanted to break the stereotype that pageants are only about looks. As a mass communication student, I saw it as a platform to amplify cultural pride and young women’s voices,” she said in a June 22 press release.
The event, held during the Penang Bollywood Bazaar & Foodie Macha Viral Food Festival at Dewan Chai Leng Park, Perai, in April, featured three segments: Traditional Wear, Talent Performance, and a Question-and-Answer round.
For Nisha Sri, the Question-and-Answer round proved the most challenging, as contestants were required to respond spontaneously to questions on social issues, women’s leadership in the modelling industry and the challenges involved.
“Thinking quickly under pressure was tough, but it was also one of the most valuable experiences,” she said.
Preparing for the competition allowed her to apply what she had learnt in class, from reading an audience to organising her thoughts under pressure.
“It taught me how to brand myself, manage media interactions and speak with purpose. I treated the pageant like a communications campaign,” she said.
Classroom presentations, media projects and communication exercises also became part of her preparation.
“Structuring answers using the PREP (point, reason, example and point) method, controlling body language, and handling difficult questions confidently were among the most useful skills I applied during the competition,” she shared.
Balancing the pageant with her studies was no easy feat, with assignments, rehearsals, performances and interview practice spilling over into weekends and late nights.
When her name was announced as champion, the moment was especially emotional.
“I was overwhelmed and grateful. I almost cried because my parents were in the audience, and all the sleepless nights suddenly felt worth it,” she said.
INTI International College Penang mass communication programme head Lorraine Jinjumei Disimond said Nisha Sri’s achievement demonstrates how students can develop workplace-relevant skills in settings that may not appear academic at first.
“Employers today are looking beyond academic transcripts. While technology continues to evolve, graduates who can communicate effectively, think critically, adapt to change and connect meaningfully with others will continue to stand out.
“Experiences such as these help students build confidence and develop skills that remain highly relevant in the workplace,” she said.
Reflecting on Nisha Sri’s journey, her parents, Yoganathan Elomalai and Thilagaveni Sammiah, admitted they did not immediately understand her decision to join the competition.
“We were nervous when she first told us she wanted to participate, but we knew she was serious because she prepared a complete presentation for us, just like a class assignment,” said Yoganathan.
As they watched her prepare, their concerns gradually eased.
“She became more disciplined, more confident, and much better at expressing her thoughts. We realised that the experience was helping her develop skills that would benefit her far beyond the competition itself,” he said.
Thilagaveni said the experience also changed their perception of pageants.
“We used to think pageants were mainly about appearance, but this competition emphasised talent, intelligence, culture, confidence and public speaking. It completely changed our perspective. We saw our daughter become more courageous and more willing to step outside her comfort zone,” she said.
The couple encouraged parents to understand what their children hope to pursue before dismissing unfamiliar opportunities.
“Don’t say no immediately. Listen to your child’s dreams. Ask questions and support the effort, not just the trophy. Some of the most important lessons happen outside the classroom,” they said.
Looking ahead, Nisha Sri hopes to use communication to reach wider audiences, including through a future talk show centred on cultural identity. She also hopes to mentor aspiring pageant contestants and one day represent Malaysia on the international stage.
She urged more young people to “give themselves permission” to try something difficult.
“Fear never disappears, but courage is taking action despite fear. Start small. Say yes to one thing that scares you. You might surprise yourself.”
