There is a pattern to this now. Eliminations freak out performers so Fridays are 'blah' (and unfortunately, this is in front of musician guests). Saturdays, the kids release all their tension and the performances are infinitely better.
Priyani was better today than yesterday, but no, I still can't listen to her voice. The best she has sounded was in the 'Madhumati' song and that was because it was pitched lower. Why won't they let her do that more? B+ even though I couldn't wait for it to end.
When Abhaas started, I was concerned because the first few lines were shaky. I thought: That same throat bug! But then it was as if he had understood the limitations of his voice that day and figured out how to make them irrelevant. There should be no doubt that this is possibly the best singer on this show. He is smart about his singing, but not so busy being smart that he doesn't forget himself when he listens to others or when he sings. A+ is not really enough, and I agree with the Prithvi mentors, 10 isn't either.
Abhilasha is almost back. She sang and performed well, no argument there. But this is not the best that she can do, and I am now ready to hear something a little melodious from her once more. A
And now Harshit, our Lagaan man--will he carry the taste for these songs into a surprise (for me) victory? He comes across as such a nice boy that I would not think he was the best in the contest, but I would be happy for him. He has always been technically competent, and now we see flashes of animation in his performances as well. Good for him! A
Ishmeet did not deserve to stand on stage and have Abhijeet wax eloquent about someone else. That said, this was a post-Boost Ishmeet today, a little more energy in the song than yesterday. I feel bad because he can sing, has a nice voice, but is unable to place his impress on his performance. B+
Almost-back Mirande was almost one-of-the-best. I cannot wait for her to return to wellness and form and I worry that she will go out before that happens. She did not lose sur or taal but her voice wavered unsteadily at the outset, I thought. B++
Irfan slowed down today, long enough for us to enjoy his performance. This is one of my most favourite songs, and almost never fails to give me goose-bumps. I think Abhijeet was right, this is one of the best Dil Se performances in a competition. His breath control is excellent. The only thing that Irfan really needs to work in is his tendency to hurry through songs, not be speeding them up consistently (doubling and redoubling across the board) but starting before the beat again and again. Good job! A
Sumitra was very good. Sumitra, please do let us hear that strong voice and that excellent training in a ghazal or a geet next week. Don't let it be wasted on songs whose shelf-life is not that great. A
This week I voted most for Abhaas, followed by Abhilasha and Sumitra, then Irfan, Mirande and Harshit.I don't vote in bulk, but as a blessing/token of my appreciation.
IF members are probably right and all this drama is to have a wildcard round or to create a veto. Whatever. I cannot however get behind the drama around each dismissal. Yes, it is very sad, but this is the way you set up the game.
And Toshi is not dead to be mourned in this way. He is just out of a competition which while entertaining is hardly life. If the mentors are not mature enough to point this out and then to guide him in constructive ways (arrange for him to audition, etc. rather than "You will go everywhere in my car"), then they should be called a Greek chorus rather than a panel of mentors. Where are the winners of previous competitions? Has winning won them so much that the mentors should be this devastated? And what message does this give those left behind, especially Ishmeet who got to stand there and listen to this rather than comments on his performance--"I would rather you had gone"? Very unacceptable behaviour.
I also did not take kindly to the insinuation yesterday when Abhilasha returned and Harshit, Toshi and Abhaas were left standing there. Alka said, these are our finalists, how can this be? Let's be honest. If Abhilasha had gone, they would have wailed endlessly about her audition performance. Sorry, judges, gonna have to vote you out now!
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
CID
