man of the month- qazi

He is the newest poster boy of the music world, the ones chosen by the numerous reality shows that have not only revolutionised television programming, but also turned small town underdogs into national obsessions.
The scrawny, blond-haired Qazi Touqeer had the music lovers, the thrill seekers and the emotionally volatile Indian audience enthralled for almost eight weeks that the reality show, Fame Gurukul unfolded on Sony TV. A staggering 15 million sms's were sent in his favour from across the country. The voters did not care where he came from, what religion he practised or what his class background was. They just enjoyed his performances. That must count for something at a time when we have not forgotten what happened in Gujarat and are still recovering from the aftershocks of the crises in the Valley.
"I loved every single minute I spent on that set, and in the Gurukul. It's been a show full of challenges and dramatic wins, stuff that I enjoy," says the cocky boy from Srinagar, who has often narrated stories about how his parents almost gave up on him after he preferred to "sing and dance, rather than concentrate on something more worthwhile. Now, they are my biggest fans."
Not a trained singer, Qazi had been pushed into the danger zone on the show for a record ten times by the three judges, but each time bounced back with huge public vote. "I only cried the first time. Then, everyone else around me cried," he laughs."My coming back with public vote became the talk of the Gurukul. No one, not even I knew why people kept voting me back again and again, when there were better singers around."
Winning the title, 'Fame Jodi' along with co-contestant Ruprekha Banerjee has meant a Rs one crore contract with the television channel. "Everyone, not just in Srinagar but across India will take me more seriously when I say I want to be a singer-star, in the mould of Kishore Kumar. I want to act and sing my own songs."
Beyond the hype and hoopla, Fame Gurukul has helped him mature as a singer and a performer, feels one of the judges, Javed Akhtar. But on a more subtle level, Qazi's win has sent a message back home, if one goes by the media reports. "A hope that Kashmiris are as much a part of the Indian mainstream, as anyone else," he muses. "That we too will get our due, if we are talented; that terrorism doesn't have to be a way of life. I have heard that some Kashmiri boys have auditioned for the second Indian Idol title. That's great! There is nothing to do in the valley for anyone who is ambitious or wants to lead a good, peaceful life."