http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/06/stories/2006040617990200.htm
Final hurdle: city lad Karunya pins hopes on hometown crowd
Staff Reporter
Indian Idol aspirant appeals to people to watch the show and vote for him
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City accords hero's welcome to Indian Idol hopeful
Karunya visits home to seek blessings of parents, teachers
Talented singer needs backing from the State to win
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THE SHOWMAN: Indian Idol hopeful Karunya performing at the L.B Stadium on Wednesday. PHOTOS: P. V. Sivakumar
HYDERABAD: A hero's welcome was accorded to N.C. Karunya, 19-year old B. Tech student from the city, who has made it to the top two slots in Sony TV's popular reality show, Indian Idol.
Mayor Teegala Krishna Reddy, father N.C. Madhu, mother Janaki along with younger sister Deevena, friends and relatives received the singer at the airport on Wednesday.
The singer with a deep earthy voice is on a two-day visit to his hometown for the blessings of his parents and teachers before facing the finals.
"I can't wait to see my house again...my neighbours, my friends, my locality, everything," said an enthusiastic Karunya, starved of home cooked food and a chance to speak Telugu.
Festive atmosphere
The scene at Meerpet locality where Karunya lives was one of festivity. Sounds of drumbeats and crackers filled the air. Dressed in a beautiful saree his 92-year-old grandmother said, "I pray to God everyday that he wins." "He is a very down to earth person, he gets up daily at 4 a.m. to practice," said cousins Harini and Suvarchala. "Even as a baby of nine months he responded to music," his doting aunts recalled. "He has been singing since the age of three and began composing at six," they added.
Talking about his journey so far, Karunya said, "There is a genuine appreciation of my work and I am getting a lot of votes from the North." But it is backing from the South that will decide Karunya victory over Sandeep from Bikaner.
"Even though there is talent in the southern States, how can artistes prove themselves without the backing of people," he said appealing for people to watch the programme and vote for him.
"Let his next home coming be as an Indian Idol," said a hopeful mother. With confidence in his abilities and inspiration from Swami Vivekanand's quote — Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached — Karunya has every chance of becoming the Indian Idol.
He also performed live at Lal Bahadur stadium on Wednesday evening.