Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

M for music

Raring to go! Some of the participants at the latest edition of the show with playback singers Alka Yagnik and Abhijeet

Kids are ruling the roost on television. Every channel is relying on the little ones to boost its ratings.

After Star’s “Mummy Ke Superstars” and Colors’ “Chhote Miyan Bade Miyan”, Zee TV, which has recently regained the number two slot in TAM ratings, has come up with a new season of “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs.”

The 12 finalists have come through some stiff competition as 50,000 contestants turned up for auditions in nine cities across India.

The six girls and six boys have been divided into two groups — the girls’ team selected by Alka Yagnik and the boys’ by Abhijeet Bhattacharya.

Innocence has changed its definition over the generations, but these pintsize powerhouses certainly pack a punch. Diksha Sharma from Sirsa wants to be Daksh Sharma after undergoing a sex change operation and the channel claims she has got her parents’ support.

Eleven-year-old Siddhesh Jagtap is suffering from short-term memory loss, something like Aamir’s Khan’s character in “Ghajini”. In fact, the participant has been advised to pursue music to recover from the ailment.

Farha Naaz, 12, from Lucknow says, “Initially my family opposed my singing but later they recognised my talent and shifted from Urai to Lucknow. Now, I am confident of making it big. I have just started taking formal training. I am inspired by Lataji.”Yatharth Ratnum from Varanasi proudly says, “I secured 98 per cent marks in class VII. When other children watch cartoons and play video games I do my riyaaz. I am quite confident of winning this year’s trophy. I idolise Kishore Kumar and Sonu Nigam.” Abhijit Srivastava, who has come all the way from Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Padesh says it was his father who wanted him to attempt the auditions. “My parents are very supportive. Now, I want to be a superstar,” he gushes.

But the surprise package is Shalini Mukherjee of Kolkata. The eight-year-old surprised the judges by singing Usha Uthup’s “Jhoom Jhoom Jhoom Baba” during the auditions. Usha, who was present there, was so captivated that she walked up to the child and said, “I was much older when I sang this number… but you being of such tender age sang this song even better than me…. I am totally awestruck.”

Nitin Vaidya, COO and Business Head, Zee TV, says, “The show has proved its popularity every season and continues to grow. In the earlier seasons we have made stars like Sanchita and Vaishali. And Shreya Ghoshal and Raja Hassan are also our products. Our search is to find a singer who will be an asset to the industry. We are going to bring new twists to the show.”

But anybody who thinks youngsters will hog all the limelight is mistaken.

Seasoned playback singer Alka Yagnik is in no mood to fade away just yet. She chips in, “I will be the USP of the show.” Though Alka might be talking in terms of grabbing attention, she seconds Abhijeet’s claim that the selection process is absolutely transparent and completely honest.

Abhijeet says, “All along we get calls from friends and acquaintances for some ‘help’ but the system is such that only the best person wins and everybody’s inadequacies are exposed.” Alka cites an example. “In Lucknow my niece came for the auditions. I did not find her singing up to the mark. So, I rejected her.”

Though the contest is for an individual title, the theme of the show is boys versus girls, and Abhijeet and Alka will take on each other too, trying to score points on behalf of their respective teams.

Alka holds it is easier to mould children. “The first reality show I judged was ‘L’il Champs’ because it was for children. I liked it very much because it is easier to guide them. Children’s vocal chords are more flexible. And there is a different excitement working with them. But parents prove to be an annoying factor, as everybody thinks his child is the best.”

Abhijeet is of the same opinion. “The pressure comes from the parents. The children want to perform for their parents. I tell the parents that your child is not here to find a job. Do not depend on him and pressurise him and make him feel that he is here to prove his talent.”

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail