NRIs disappoint Indian Idol Prashant

While the reigning Indian Idol Prashant Tamang had a good time on his four-city US tour that ended Monday, the organisers were disappointed by the low turnout of Indian Americans at his concerts.

"At Tamang's New York performance, the audience of about 1,700 was predominantly Nepalis and Tibetans. Only about 30 Indian Americans attended," said Kashish, who managed the concert at the Jacob Javits Centre Dec 8.

"The proportion of Indian Americans at the Atlanta concert Dec 9 too was abysmal," he added.

"The tour that opened with concerts at Washington DC and Boston was not a financial success," Kashish said.

"But then profit was not our motive. It was to introduce him to the Nepali community here," he said.

Tamang himself said he had a good time on the tour as it was a dream come true for him. "Ever since I was a child, I had wanted to visit China and America," he said at a press conference in New York. "I will return to the US as a performer and a tourist," he added.

He said he was keen to learn more about singing techniques to improve his skills and was not averse to doing playback numbers for Bollywood. He has already released his album titled "Dhanyavaad".

At the New York concert, the policeman-turned-music star sang 18 songs in Hindi and Nepali. His rendering of the "Saawariya" theme song was admired as was his stock number "Yo Maan Ta Mero Nepali Ho". Raghav, who sang "Angel Eyes", closed the concert.

In Atlanta, many joined Tamang on the stage towards the end of the concert.

Tamang's US tour was organised by Moonlight Records and PartyNepal.com.

The Darjeeling-born Kolkattan flew back to Mumbai, where he is currently based. Next, he was scheduled to perform in Nepal and Britain.

Tamang is expected to extend his leave from his police job to concentrate more on his music career.

In the wake of Tamang emerging winner of Indian Idol in September, an alleged insulting remark against him and Gurkhas by an RJ incited violence in Siliguri in West Bengal.