India Post News Service
FREMONT: The NRI version of popular Indian reality shows Indian Idol and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa was held in Fremont, California for the first time at the 15th Annual Festival of India and Parade on August 11 and 12th. The pleasing and harmonious melodies floating from the stage were the denouement of four rushed weeks of industrious endeavors by the FIA (Federation of Indian Associations) organizers. When Chandru Bhambhra had initially come up with the germ of an idea to inject even more zest into this year's Fremont Festival of India, the time to execution was short.
With FIA initially deciding to hold the musical contest in 2008, Chandru and his team were given the green light for 2007 just a few short weeks before the event. A major scramble ensued- flyers, promotion slides for theaters, posters, notices in various community stamping grounds like ICC (India Community Center), etc. had to be readied and distributed.
The directive was to raise awareness so participants could be enticed. Chandru drew on his experience organizing programs with other Indian singers and non-profit organizations. As Indian Idol aspirants started coming out of the woodwork, he arranged for tabla and other instrumental players. By July 31, they had a list of contest participants who shelled out $51 a pop to register. The Golden Peacock hall was booked for three nights for auditions.
A successful audition meant you got practice sessions with the band. Of course, it was a bit trickier ensuring none of the 14 singers' list of songs (five each) was duplicated. On Saturday, 14 singers were selected for the first round on the first day of the Mela. 8 singers went on to the second round.
The judges narrowed it down to 5 singers for the third round and 3 for the final round. Eventually, the hard work paid off for the winner, Parminder Guri, and the runner up, Deepak Ganesan. Parminder wowed the judges with a song list including Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawano Ka (film Naya Daur), Nazar Na Lag Jaye Kisi Ki Rahon Mein (Night In London), Naina Thug Lenge (Omkara), Layee Ve Na Gayee (Chalte Chalte), and Mitwa (Kabhi Alwida Na Kahna).
He won $2500 and a resplendent trophy while Deepak received $ 1000. Participants in the contest included Sangeeta Shenoy, Sanjeev Kumar, Bindu Malhotra, Ashish Vyas, Parminder Guri, Raj Sohal, Dilip Karki, Shruti Patel, Madhuvanti Bhide, Meenakshi Vaidyanathan, Abhay Manners, Jatinder Singh (Paul), Deepak Ganesan, Rajiv Batra.
They were judged by Anupama Dalal, Asha Ramesh, Surinder Mann, Arun Ranade, Mousumi Banerji, Rita Sahai, and Sujata Bhalerao. Chandru Bhambhra still hears the contest's sweet melodies wafting in the air. His team and he are all gung ho and fired up for the next year's event. First, of course, a little rest. Then, a slightly longer lead time and they will be back to "Calling all bathroom singers……." For those intrepid bathroom singers, Chandru Bhambhra can be reached at 510-299 0906 or chandrub@sbcglobal.net
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