Anandrupa: Crooning star eyes idol crown

Jamshedpur, Sept. 16: Get ready to cheer for the steel city. City-based singer Anandrupa Bagchi has made it to the national finals of the ?Indian Idol? hunt being conducted by Sony Television.

The teenager whizzed past 4000 contestants at the zonal finals held in Calcutta early this week to become one of the 10 finalists who will participate in the national finals of the hunt for India?s best singer in Mumbai from 0ctober 12 to 20.

The winner will receive a cash prize of Rs. 1 crore and a contract for an individual album. ?They were registering the contestants and Anandrupa just wanted to give it a try. It was not a do-or-die competition for her. She just enjoyed participating in it. She sang well and smoothly won the first rounds and zonal finals,? Anandrupa?s mother Anurupa Bagchi said.

Music is a family affair for Anandrupa whose mother is the head of the department of Music at the Jamshedpur Women?s College.

?The auditions were held in four cities ? Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta and Ahmedabad. Anandrupa she chose Calcutta as her centre, as it was the nearest one,? said Anurupa.

The first rounds of selections were held on September 7 and the first 100 out of the 4,000 contenders had to appear for the second phase on September 11. ?The selection was conducted in phases as the jury judged them, not only on the quality of their voice, but also on their personality and appearance. Sonu Nigam, Anu Malik and Farah Khan comprised the panel which shortlisted the top ten finalists,? said Ashim Bagchi, Anandrupa?s father.

Anandrupa won over the judges with her beautiful rendition of Aao Huzur Tumko, Shubha Mudgal?s Dere Dere and Silsila Yeh Chahat Ka from Devdas.

For Anandrupa, however, it is the challenge, rather than the prize money involved, which makes it worth a good try. ?I am not competing for the prize or the fame. But, I want to accept the challenge of living up to the expectations of my parents and making my city proud,? said Anandrupa.

Her performances, on Zee TV?s Saregamapa, ETV Bangla?s Sa Theke Sa and Alpha TV Bangla?s Saregama have already made her a household name. But, right now she is getting ready to vie for crown of Indian Idol.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040917/asp/jamshedpur/story_3 768438.asp