***AnTaRa FC-VIII ThE SuPeRsTaR*** - Page 88

Originally posted by: sumesh

BENGALI FOOD
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Originally posted by: sumesh

BENGALI SWEETS !!!
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Antara Mitra (born July 10, 1987 in West Bengal, India) was the fifth place contestant in the reality show Indian Idol 2 on Indian Television, broadcast by Sony Entertainment Television.

Antara Mitra was voted out of that show on March 7th, 2006, leaving a large number of devoted fans very disappointed by her seemingly premature departure. She was also the highest-standing female of the second season of the contest series and a favorite of all three of the show's celebrity talent judges.

The journey of Indian Idol

Antara Mitra comes from a village in West Bengal, near Calcutta, India—from Maslandapur, a cooperative village so small that it isn't even shown on most maps! From a very young age, Antara always showed a keen interest in music, and her father inspired her. Her father did not achieve much notoriety with his singing... but he kept hopes that perhaps his only child could go on to achieve such a thing (prominence as a musical artist).

But as she approached adulthood, her love of music did not prevent Antara from considering other career options. At one time she was keen on taking up the study of medicine, but she abandoned that idea upon seeing the high fees for such a course [one in which she also did not already have a familial connection]—anyway her love for performing is obvious. Today in India, she is pursuing her career as a professional singer, if not a music teacher or a professor, like her father, with forthcoming recordings in the massive Indian film industry already promised by none other than Indian Idol celebrity judge and film music director Anu Malik. Many top artists also teach music in order to pass along traditions and techniques that Antara has obviously already mastered, and she may consider doing some teaching along her career path as well.

Antara watched the first season of Indian Idol on TV and thought that maybe she'd have a chance too. Off went Antara to the Calcutta Indian Idol Selections! The judges were so impressed that they immediately insisted that she MUST come to Mumbai. Judge and Indian singing sensation Sonu Nigam was "shocked" at her singing abilities, and Farah Khan said that she had a lot of presence—although when she entered the competition she was "not much of a looker," but her beauty and fashion makeovers had transformed her into one of the most beautiful girls in the competition. Antara looked better than ever, and with the help of her confidence-inspiring looks, her singing improved as well.

In the Piano Round, which was the first round when the viewing public voting was invited, she sang the popular song "Rangeela Re" from the film Rangeela. The first Indian Idol winner, Abhijeet Sawant, said that he was shocked by how this young 18-year-old girl from a small village has sung and performed "so well" and that even 'city people' cannot perform like how she did. Farah Khan thought that she did "too much of a good job." Anu Malik labeled her "My Playback Singer," and Antara said that was the best compliment. On the next day of the TV show, it was announced that Antara had bagged the Most Votes and was on her way to the compete in the gala rounds.

The real battle had begun and Indian Idol's official competition stages had started! Antara for the first time performed in front of the huge podium, with the three respected judges and the millions of TV-viewing audience nationwide looking and listening on. Antara sang the song "Ruki Ruki Thi Zindagi." She got decent comments, Anu Malik telling her that she should not worry, because she will come to the next round "for sure." Farah Khan said her performance was that of an international superstar and that Antara looked like an "international superstar." Sonu told her to not move around as much. But still the judges wanted more!

In the second gala she sang "Tu Ruta To," and the only positive comment she got was "Your voice is beautiful" from Anu Malik. Sonu and Farah still felt she had way more to offer. Next gala, she showed improvement with the song "Tere Bina." But it was her performances of "Zara Zara" and "Morani Baga" that left the judges speechless—they had no words to express their reactions! Antara truly redeemed herself and with these three performances alone, she was obviously destined to go farther.

Her next performance, of "Bairi Piya" was a good performance and her parents had also come to the Mumbai studio watch her for the first time to surprise the young singer, which led to an emotional, tearful family reunion on camera, especially between the proud mother and daughter. In the Results episode that followed, it was declared that, for the first time, she was in the bottom three (in danger of leaving the competition)! She was with NC Karunya and Meenal Jain there, and with Meenal in the bottom two. However, she made it to the final five.

The following week Antara was the last girl left. She sang Mere Haathon, but despite making a good effort the judges did not like it. Sandeep Acharya, the eventual winner, and Antara were in the bottom two, and she left, reportedly due to a bad song choice and the lowest number of viewer votes for the day, although rumors swirled suggesting that by that time Antara herself already wished to leave and to be done with the onscreen competition.

Antara Mitra was the last female standing and competed to reach the Top Five contestants. She had the most impressive record of not being "in danger" on the Indian Idol 2 TV series: she was only in danger once! Also, in the galas, she received the most votes three times... specifically for her performances of "Ruki Ruki Thi Zindagi," "Zara Zara," and "Morani Baga."