Buzz builds around Amit

Oct. 1: Thirty thousand watts of pulsating music, laser shows, fireworks, and to top it all, a performance by Indian Idol 3 runner-up Amit Paul — music lovers in the city could not have asked for more.

The festive season in the city will kick off to a pulsating start at 6 tomorrow evening when the Northeast's new youth icon, Amit, takes the stage at the ongoing Guwahati Mahotsav at Sonaram Higher Secondary School ground in Bharalumukh.

Amit landed in Guwahati this afternoon en route to Shillong — his first visit to his hometown after the grand finale of the musical reality show Indian Idol 3 on Sony TV. He will be back in the city tomorrow for his first public felicitation after the contest.

Assamese filmmaker Munin Baruah and his wife, Manjula, who had spearheaded a Vote for Amit campaign in the city in the run-up to the Indian Idol 3 final, will felicitate Amit. The organisers of the Guwahati Mahotsav will also felicitate the singer at a colourful function, a member of the organising committee said.

Amit, who reached here by a Kingfisher flight, seemed excited about performing in the city, which he calls his second home after Meghalaya.

"I'm happy to be among my own people after such a long time. I am looking forward to meeting everyone in Meghalaya, Assam and other parts of the Northeast who have supported me all along," an emotional Amit said.

Amit will sing some of his favourite numbers, Nasha Yeh Pyar Ka Nasha Hai, Bulla Ki Jaan, Meri Soni, which has made him a darling of the people as well as the judges on the reality show. The singer, who can sing in six languages, will also sing some Assamese and Khasi songs.

"There is already a lot of excitement and a huge rush for tickets as thousands of crazy fans want to have a glimpse of their hero Amit," chief executive officer of Jaya Communication, which is organising the Guwahati Mahotsav, Rajneesh Das, said.

"Amit has made the people of the Northeast swell with pride. Watching him perform live will be an amazing experience," Niharika Das, a student of Handique College, said.

City police are taking no chances and putting in place elaborate security arrangements for tomorrow's show. "We are ready to take whatever security measures are required for the event," senior superintendent of police (city), Surendra Kumar, said.

Kumar has also directed the Bharalumukh police station to make necessary arrangements.

Another police source said security forces would be deployed on the route to be taken by Amit tomorrow as his fans will be lining up on both sides of the route to catch a glimpse of him. "If required, police escort will also be provided to him," the source added.