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Sanjaya ki maaya!
Here's one Indian name that's become popular world over. However, our desi music aficionados have a different take on American Idol finalist Sanjaya Malakar's crooning abilities, finds Nimisha Tiwari
Sanjaya Malakar, the 17-year old Virgo boy from Seattle is creating waves for his cute Indian looks as one of the finalists in the famous TV show American Idol. Not only has he been escaping eliminations, week-afterweek (thanks to the empathy factor from the Asians), Sanjaya has enraged his fellow contestants to go on hunger strikes. He's been offered a plum contract from a leading fried chicken giant. What's more, if he goes on to win, Malakar who has never even visited India will enjoy the fruits of being an Indian in the most unexpected way. Music composers in India show mixed reactions to this new fella' on the block.
IDOL VERSUS IDOL
Abhijeet Sawant: I am following Sanjaya's moves each week on this international show. And I think all the hype about him is a publicity stunt by the channel to rake in some Asian empathy (going the Shilpa Shetty way). As the first Indian Idol, I would love to share the stage with Sanjaya. And when we both will sing, I will go on to show him, "Aaa dekhen zara kisme kitna hein dum. Of course, I will outperform him."
JUST LET HIM BE
Raageshwari Loomba: Even though pure signing talent is told to be the purpose of American Idol, audience still wants someone interesting and entertaining. Sanjaya is an average singer, but clearly his fellow contestants including Simon do not want him to win. We must remember that it's not the Grammy fraternity which is voting for him. It's the teenage audience. So, in a world where Eminem rules alongside Sting and Madonna, then there is clearly an audience for everybody. So, lets turn a page on Sanjaya and let him be.
FOREIGN TAG WORKS
Baba Sehgal: Everyone capitalises on someone who's creating news. And sure, I would want to rap with him too. When I made my first album Thanda Thanda Paani, people thought it was shot at London, whilst it was actually made in Mumbai. So, the foreign tag indeed helps.
JURY'S OPINION DOESN'T MATTER
Sowmya Raoh: Haven't watched Sanjaya performing, but have read a lot about him in the papers I've been a jury member for a similar show on tube sharing the panel along with singer Palash Sen and as soon audiences' votes count, many times the jury's word seems partly redundant. Well, that's the flip side to such talent hunt shows.
DOES HE HAVE THE TALENT?
Himesh Reshammiya: Only real talent can survive the odds. I haven't heard him, but would check him out and only his talent will stand him a chance for a performance with me.
IDOL VERSUS IDOL
Abhijeet Sawant: I am following Sanjaya's moves each week on this international show. And I think all the hype about him is a publicity stunt by the channel to rake in some Asian empathy (going the Shilpa Shetty way). As the first Indian Idol, I would love to share the stage with Sanjaya. And when we both will sing, I will go on to show him, "Aaa dekhen zara kisme kitna hein dum. Of course, I will outperform him."
JUST LET HIM BE
Raageshwari Loomba: Even though pure signing talent is told to be the purpose of American Idol, audience still wants someone interesting and entertaining. Sanjaya is an average singer, but clearly his fellow contestants including Simon do not want him to win. We must remember that it's not the Grammy fraternity which is voting for him. It's the teenage audience. So, in a world where Eminem rules alongside Sting and Madonna, then there is clearly an audience for everybody. So, lets turn a page on Sanjaya and let him be.
FOREIGN TAG WORKS
Baba Sehgal: Everyone capitalises on someone who's creating news. And sure, I would want to rap with him too. When I made my first album Thanda Thanda Paani, people thought it was shot at London, whilst it was actually made in Mumbai. So, the foreign tag indeed helps.
JURY'S OPINION DOESN'T MATTER
Sowmya Raoh: Haven't watched Sanjaya performing, but have read a lot about him in the papers I've been a jury member for a similar show on tube sharing the panel along with singer Palash Sen and as soon audiences' votes count, many times the jury's word seems partly redundant. Well, that's the flip side to such talent hunt shows.
DOES HE HAVE THE TALENT?
Himesh Reshammiya: Only real talent can survive the odds. I haven't heard him, but would check him out and only his talent will stand him a chance for a performance with me.
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