Sid, my dear friend and brother. Days might have passed, but you still live in my mind so often that it feels like you are still part of my life - which you are and will be. I walk around Hong Kong and remember the places and things we did that summer, all the fun and memorable parts that will forever be in my memory.

Sometimes Vincent and I think about how life will go on and the thought that you won’t be around deeply saddens us, but I think to myself that you are high up in the sky looking down and laughing at all the stupid jokes we make and you are always here with us. You will be deeply missed, can’t wait to see you until another life.

I have hated to think of Sid in past tense. As though he is something memorialized in the past. As though he is a legend: someone who burned with such intense brightness that it was bound to be extinguished. He was sunshine, constant and warm. He was the epitome of ‘cool’. Him loving me or even acknowledging me remains one of the highest points of my life. He knew I was seriously ‘uncool’ but never made me feel bad for it. Instead, he gave me the safest place to try out being ‘cool’: to go clubbing, to have a casual fling or to just let my hair down. We comforted each other through disappointments, betrayals and heartbreaks: dramatic highschool ones and the more nuanced ones after. He forgave me even when I pushed his buttons (an angry Sid was such a rare sight, I will take it as an accomplishment). He was the ‘Aman’ to my Naina and I can’t understand how he could leave without dancing to ‘Mahi Ve’ at my wedding. That he won’t be on Forbes top 40 under 40 like I had predicted. That one day we won’t get to show our kids the iconic love of SRK-Kajol together. I hate not being able to text him, ask him where in the world he is and tell him to watch the latest Bollywood movie or share a particularly sappy playlist. 

He was always worried about making something of his life and to make the people he loved be proud of him. And I was oh so proud, even when I couldn't understand what AI-driven art was despite him explaining it at least 5 times. Sid lived a big life and the world truly was his oyster. But he had immense love and attention for the small things and small people too. He would speak as enthusiastically about his wild nights in Europe with his friends as he did about slow afternoons in the south of India at his grandmother’s house. He was generous and funny, sometimes a little melodramatic and such a gooey romantic. He oozed charisma and charm. You couldn’t help but fall in love with him and so many of us were. Sid shined so brightly on everyone around him. In most cases, it would be embarrassing to admit that you are not your best friend’s best friend. But even though I was probably waaaaay down in his friend-list, I will always loudly and proudly say that Sid Sundaram was my best friend.






Caleb Dunn
Sid, thank you for being one of my closest friends in Beijing.  I remember one particular day when you spent the entire Chinese class making jokes and getting me in trouble for laughing.  I’m pretty sure you were the reason I got moved to the front of the class!  That year’s Chinese class was not as fun after that.  I also remember the late nights with you and Arjun playing games and watching movies, and the times we would all be messing around at lunch.  You would always have a story to share.  You played a big part of my life at WAB, and I am grateful for all the moments we shared. 

Sid,
I sensed what you were made of the first time we met. a bundle of bright, stubborn, curious, and lost.
You had a way of being present. you attuned yourself to others in a way that made the distance between you and us disappear.
You were absent too. lost in the moment, between flirting glances into the distance and forgetting the last thing i said. silences with you were one of a kind.
We met around the world. Shanghai, Amsterdam, San Francisco, Whistler, and finally, here where you rest— New York. you were the person i knew i’d always meet again, no matter where.
Now i’ll have to wait for that day when.
I’m blessed to have shared years of my life with you. i got to know you fully and deeply. my love for you is etched on me.
I will live big, i will be brave.
In the wind’s whisper i hear you say,
“Roll the tape.”
All my love,
Esther

Picking one specific memory through which to remember Sid is not an easy task for anyone, given his nature. Extremely witty, charismatic, and visionary, Sid taught me certain values of friendship for the first time that I will remember forever.

Throughout the three years I shared with him and the multiple visits to Milan afterward, I can say that he always remained true to himself and impressed me with his never-ending curiosity and excitement for always learning and growing. From my visits to Merribrook Dr. in Saratoga to many conversations in A611, the memories shared extend from my first Costco experience (he really loved Costco - “the epitome of capitalism”) all the way to lighting fireworks for the girl he was dating at the time. Yes, lighting fireworks, because that was the extent Sid was willing to go to show appreciation for the people he cared about.

But if I had to pick something that stayed with me, it was his passion for filmmaking. During our time in China, we had this little project going on where we planned a bunch of activities, asked a few of our friends to participate, and recorded the whole journey. Like every teenager, the activities consisted of silly tasks such as go-karting, hiking, clubbing, or a weekend trip to Disneyland Shanghai. The idea was for each one to just have fun, be themselves, and Sid would record everything. Then, once we got back to school, he would rush back to his room and in less than 24 hours produce a full-on professional film of what we had done over the weekend. Sunday night, we would hold a screening, leaving us all in awe. Not only because of how well the events had been portrayed, but also because filming them made them even more memorable. All thanks to him.

Unfortunately, this series of tapes has been lost by now. A thought that might sadden anyone, but in this case, not really. Not really because not having them makes the memories of such events even more special. Memories that will always be cherished and remembered, as they now hold more emotional value than anything, given that it was all made possible by him. To Siddharth, thank you for your friendship, your unique way of being, and for always pushing us all to be the best versions of ourselves. The next Don Simon bottle I ever drink will be to you.

My memory of Sid is of him as a sprightly five-year-old.  Even at that very young age, I could see he would grow into a charming, competent, and considerate young man.  His sharp intellect amazed me, prompting me to believe he was a kind of prodigy.  And on the rare occasion he was stumped for an answer, he would say nonchalantly:  I had a ‘brain freeze’ :) 

A couple of years ago, his Mum sent me a picture of hers with Sid.  He was looking so handsome and suave that I told Archana, please keep him away from all the girls.  Little did I realise that he would be snatched away from all of us so suddenly and prematurely.  Sid, we love you and we miss you. May peace be with you always.





To Live Life Like a Movie by Michelle Wong

Quote: “At the end of my life, I want people to say: his life was a movie”. Sid, 2019, London

Our friendship was grounded in memories that will stay with me forever. Who could forget "Squad's 75% rule"? It was simple: as long as 75% of the crew agreed, it was a plan. No questions asked. This rule took us on some crazy adventures, from impromptu trips to London to post-curfew karaoke sessions. It was our way of saying, "Let's live a little," and Sid was always the one leading the charge.

Traveling with Sid was an experience unto itself. We explored the world, from hitch-hiking the streets of Changshu to wine-and-dining in Hong Kong and Shanghai, from the iconic sights of Vincent in full Burberry in London to a night out at Noto in Paris to philosophising life atop a  New York City skyscraper. He was always up for trying new things, whether it was sampling exotic street food or getting lost in a new city. Sid had this infectious curiosity about life, and he inspired all of us to embrace the unknown.

The man was also the one you'd call if you needed to get out of a jam. I remember joking that if squad ever killed someone, he'd be the first to show up with a shovel and a plan to hide the body. He and Vincent had a way of making even the darkest humour seem light-hearted, always with that mischievous grin of his. He made you feel like no matter what, be it a breakup or a betrayal from others, you'd figure it out together. You were there for the highs and the lows, always ready to lift us up when we were down and celebrate with us when we were on top of the world. You had a way of making every moment special, every friendship meaningful, and every day unforgettable.

Sid, squad loves you and we miss you every day. To my dear friend, thank you for the joy you brought into our lives, for the love you gave so freely, for the no-bullshit typa loyalty and for the inspiration you embedded in all of us. You may be gone from our sight, but you are always with us - in our conversations, our thoughts, and our hearts.

Love, 

Mish xx






Maya Ziyu Ou
There will never be enough words to express how much you are missed. Thank you Sid for shining your bright light on us, you were the best friend a girl could ask for. Everyday with you was filled with laughter, warmth, and hugs. After that first day we bonded on the field, I knew we would be friends forever. I love you.






Mishari Sakka
First and foremost, may Sid rest in peace. Thank you to his family for raising such a joyful, smart and supportive young man.
I moved in with Sid at 3500 P St. He was a junior, I was a freshman. I had absolutely no idea what to expect from college. Sid was immediately very welcoming and thoughtful. He made me feel at home through his easy going nature and supportive personality. He would always cook at home and would never fail to offer me some of his food. I can still smell the Trader Joes Spanakopita heating up in the oven. I could really feel that Sid wanted to help those around him be the best version of themselves. He made me feel so comfortable. He was really a kind and gentle man.
What stays with me the most about Sid was his burning curiosity and his infectious passion for life. Sid was a problem solver. He always took good care of the people he cared for. He was active, he enjoyed running and nature and loved being with his friends. Sid was a motivational figure in my life. I had never met such an achiever. In his junior year of college he was talking to me about his own company and AI. When I was a freshman I hadn't even heard of AI, and having a company in college was something I had only seen in the movies. I was so impressed by Sid, I couldn't even wrap my head around what he was doing. I always just knew that Sid would always be an innovator.
Sid’s memory will always last with me. He motivated me when I was in an unfamiliar and uncertain situation. He made me feel valued and happy. I think that is testament to the kind of man Sid was. Again, I would like to reiterate my thanks to Sid’s family for raising such a wonderful man. Thank you also to Mr Idliby for allowing me to move in with Sid, it was a truly life changing experience.






John Pang
Sid was one of the best people I’ve ever had the pleasure of crossing paths with. He always saw the best in people and pushed his friends to be the best versions of themselves. I am truly grateful that I was able to call him a friend. Rest well my friend.

It's hard to describe Sid in just a few words. Not only was he a good friend, but he was the kind of person that made you want to be a better friend, too. When we first met in UWC, he gave me a lot of perspective on this. We didn’t exactly start as the best of friends so I thought he was someone hard to approach, but through warming up to each other, I realized he deeply cared for the people around him and he often thought and empathized a lot with how things affected others. He was really perceptive and oftentimes he would approach people before they needed to say something. Most of my memories with Sid are like that – moments in which I hoped I could return some of the happy moments he gave me.
One very particular thing that we would often talk about was volcanoes. It started as a joke, from the song of an animated short film that stuck with us, but later on I shared with Sid the story of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl, two volcanoes that according to legend, came into existence after two lovers passed away. I told Sid that the belief was that as long as the volcanoes were active, their love was too. We both enjoyed this story, so whenever Popocatepetl was active, I would message Sid about it. Today, I started writing this after listening in the news that Popocatepetl was active.
Nowadays, not only volcanoes remind me of him. It's all the little things we shared while we were friends, as mundane as they were. Doing laundry, shopping, eating street food, and watching tv while eating kettle corn (at the time, his favorite flavor of popcorn). I am reminded of him in random, various moments, and it makes me happy whenever it happens because it means that Sid will always be there, in one way or another.

Sancho Luijten
Thank you Sid, for all the wonderful childhood memories. For all the careless laughs. Thinking about those times we spent together brings back a breath of fresh air, of innocence. 
I will miss you more than I even imagined. But your memory will live on in me, as my story cannot be told without you. Love you man.






Sidric by Reem Traboulsi

To exude “Big D Energy” (BDE) means to know what you have and to feel no need to flaunt it, because it flaunts itself. Sid was the embodiment of BDE. He felt no need to flaunt his beauty, wits, and talents, not only because his energy flaunted itself, but also because it was more fun to share it with others and create more of it together. Generosity and collaboration were innate to him.
Sid loved the thrill, and he needed the exhilaration, but what he most appreciated were the ordinary things of life–laughing from the pit of his stomach, exchanging vulnerability with those he trusted, and learning about the fun facts of the world.
I loved growing up with Sid by my side. I felt safe and secure in his friendship. Back in 2022, I fell a little too hard for someone who did not reciprocate my feelings. I declared my love a little too intensely and used “vlogs” (video entries) as a way to do so. By the end of the rollercoaster, I felt embarrassed by all I had done for someone I had actually barely known. When I shared this story with Sid, he said, “Reem, you will find someone who will obsess over your vlogs.” I had put myself down again and again that I had not even considered this perspective. But of course Sid did! Sid was the person to deeply love those who were authentically and unapologetically themselves. By saying that, he was reminding me to be myself and feel no shame in it. I had received reassurances from others, but it was that sentence that finally empowered me again. From then on, I decided I was not going to settle for anyone who was not going to obsess over my vlogs.






Shyamala Padmasola and Srinivas Padmasola

From his “Shyamala athai”
Sid(Chotu to us) was the baby I carried and fell in love with the day he was born. I loved him with all my heart!
Without a doubt he was intelligent, smart, charming, kind, balanced, passionate, a forward-thinker, trailblazer…I can go on with so many adjectives as every positive adjective seems apt for him and his beautiful memories galore. However, if I close my eyes what I see is the last time I met him in Sep 2023…his tight hug…him gifting me a special gin with the words “special gift for a special woman”…the joy in his eyes seeing his favourite  dishes on the table…and the way he turned around to wave us goodbye from the bus.

From his “Srini uncle”
I will always remember Chotu explaining why he likes a pineapple bun. (Warm bun with an ice cold slice of butter.)
When Chotu was home in September 2023 with Rahul, he spoke so passionately about his meetings with Limited Partners in Singapore/HK . Of course, we spoke about girls and I said we have to add  his and Rahul’s profile to Telugu/Tamil/Konkani matrimony sites.

Sid was someone who truly made me feel at ease with myself. He had a unique ability to make people feel seen and understood.

Every moment with Sid felt unique, as if time slowed down to let us enjoy his company. During an unplanned road trip through Tuscany, Sid would urge us to pause and fully appreciate the shared experiences of aperitivo on top of a medieval tower, endless gelatos and nights spent in a tent on the beach. I always felt privileged for those moments.

I visited Sid in Georgetown when he had just gotten a new place. There was a beautiful tree outside his window and he told me: « I never thought I’d enjoy looking at a tree so much. It makes me feel grounded, seeing it go through the seasons, adapting but not changing».






 Sia Fang
When I first met Sid, we were sitting next to each other on the bus to Project Week. The only two impressions that I had of him were the cool kid and the International Indian kid who spoke Chinese. Therefore I attempted to talk to him by dropping Chinese words, but unfortunately, it was ignored by him. 6 years later, the same cool kid Sid who’s even cooler would come to me on a Tuesday afternoon in Ludlow House or a Friday evening at my house, telling me about his never-ending journey of self-exploration, but also about how he felt like an acquaintance that he does not even consider as friend did not like him. He would tell me about his crazy business trip around the world, connecting with different people non-stop for 3 weeks, but also told me that he was starting to like the city that I convinced him that he would love after saying “New York is so harsh on me!” 5 times in the past 6 months. But one day, he told me that he fully acknowledged that his never-ending life journey was meant to be up-and-down, and he is embracing it as the way it is. I was surprised when I found out how strict he was to his routine, I was surprised when I found out how sensitive he got in his friendship with people, but this time, I was not surprised because I have always seen and loved the different sides of him, as how he realized he always does to himself and his life.

Given our previous unforgettable get-togethers in Shanghai, Hongkong, Paris, and London, Aura is really what pulled us close, the brilliant idea that Sid came out with to extract the emotional data in real-life conversations and transform them into sound-sight artworks. That sunny Saturday in April 2022 when we pulled seven canvases into Washington Square Park and asked all the random people passing by to describe how different emotions are to them with paint brushes, was probably Sid’s very first time doing an art popup. We started with a bit of nervousness and a bit of thrill, we ended up getting 7 vibrant canvases with a punch on the anger canvas and kisses on the love canvas.

When we walked out of the park, Sid told me that spending on art feels better than anything else. We entered the park having mixed feelings but left the park with gratefulness and peace with joy, sorrow, fear, anger, surprise, and love. He painted New York City as hundreds of people painted the canvas with joy, sorrow, fear, anger, and surprise. It is as colorful as he is but also as flavorful as how life is meant to be, but eventually, all these feelings that he left us with are immortal, as how he will be continuing his journey exploring different flavors in the universe, accompanying us from far away, but to the infinite.

Taymor Idliby
Sid was a dear friend that will forever be missed. His legacy will live on in the hearts of his friends and family forever. We love you, Sid.






Ritika Padmasola

Chotu to me is a brother, the four of us grew up together. Some of my favourite memories to date were when Chotu, Viggy, Rahul and I were reunited on our family holidays - full of laughter, teasing and camaraderie. And now I cherish these memories so much more. From the farm in Australia, summer in Beijing, the Silk Road trip, to Myanmar.
Chotu always made sure I was included as the only girl among the three boys but also wasn't afraid to pull my leg like I was one of the boys! Once, we were climbing up the sand dunes in Dunhuang, and I was being dramatic whilst complaining about how steep the hill was. Chotu patiently walked and encouraged me til we made it to the top.
As we got older, Chotu always made time to come visit us in Discovery Bay, even if he was only in Hong Kong for a few days. Our conversations grew with our age as we started to talk about relationships, job aspirations and our favourite cocktails. Chotu claimed his was a Moscow Mule. :)
Our last conversation was during a FaceTime call to my Mum when Rahul and Chotu waltzed into our Coastline home. I quickly showed them my new room in Birmingham to which Chotu said: “that’s bigger than my apartment in New York!!”.
We love you so much Chotu and am thinking of you everyday.

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