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Parts in blue are about Indian Idol
Sanjaya Malakar: Will he be an American Idol?
Sanjaya, born of an Indian father and an Italian mother comes from a family of singers. While his father is an Indian classical singer, he credits his mother for the unfailing presence of music in their lives. The 'American Idol' aspirant calls Stevie Wonder his idol. He sang 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' for his first audition and 'Knocks me off my feet' when he made it to the top 24.
However, Sanjaya's journey has been far from smooth. Though the judges saw promise in him during his first audition their opinions have been steadily depreciating. Sanjaya has been severely criticized by his judges and critics who are surprised that he has managed to reach this far. Simon Cowell, one of the judges known for his blunt and harsh comments, has even gone on to state that he'll quit the show if Sanjaya wins the talent hunt.
For Sanjaya, the humiliation doesn't end here. He has found mention in the 'VoteForTheWorst.com', which writes, "There's still OTHER really bad singers like Sanjaya Malakar. And if we're going to make a mockery OF a mockery, we have to keep on voting hard and letting the worst-of-the-worst keep on sliding through. Maybe we'll reach our goal of getting at least ONE (1) very bad singer in the "final two"... or even better, having one WIN 'American Idol'!"
Patrick Gleeson, a blogger writes, "This kid is WAY out of his league. He looks like it hurts when he smiles. Very weak voice and NO charisma at all." Judy Haffner says, "Sanjaya was NOT good, and I think we will all agree on that, but that's not to say that I think he can't do better, as he has a good voice."
On the brighter side, there are people who think otherwise. Deanie79 writes in the 'American Idol' news blog, "Looking very preppy in a blue striped shirt, Sanjaya dances around the stage singing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." His eyes, his smile, and his curls sparkle and I imagine every young girl out there just completely forgot to listen to the singing. Sanjaya has the IT factor. He excites and interests us. Unfortunately he doesn't have the vocal chops to match."
With the talent show being one of the most successful shows on television, having a good fan base can obviously do wonders for any singer, probably at the cost of upsetting the judges. However, this problem is not unique to 'American Idol' alone.
Its Indian counterpart, the 'Indian Idol' has also faced similar situations when judges have often been shocked by their audience's choice of winners. So much so that when Amey Date was voted out of the show in favour of Anuj Sharma at last year's Indian Idol, the three judges walked out in protest on what they felt was an unfair judgment by the public.
The two shows work on a similar format – the only difference being the level that the judges take their criticism. In American Idol, the judges, especially Simon Cowell, do not hesitate to mince words. "If you would be singing like this two thousand years ago, people would have stoned you," Cowell has been known to have said to a contestant during the show.
In India, though Anu Malik tries to keep pace, he really can't afford to get too rude for fear of hurting Indian sensibilities – both on and off the screen.
The similarities between the shows however, end with their formats. Post the win, the organizers seem to take different routes. Most of the 'American Idol' winners, even runners-up and those who didn't make it to the top three, have managed to build successful careers for themselves.
Kelly Clarkson, the first 'American Idol' winner, Clay Aiken, the runner up in season 2, Fantasia Barrino, winner of the third season as well as Carrie Underwood, winner of the fourth season, have all won awards in the three major music awards in the country. Jennifer Hudson, who couldn't make it to the top, recently won the Oscar for her performance in 'Dreamgirls'.
Back home, however, one can't help but ask: Where have all the 'Indian Idols' gone? The first 'Indian Idol' winner Abhijeet Sawant seems to have disappeared into oblivion and little has been heard of his fellow contestants, Amit Sana, Rahul Vaidya, or Prajyukta Shukre. Except for the occasional music videos that Prajyukta Shukre and Meenal Jain have recently been seen in, the limelight seems to have abandoned these winners.
Does this mean that the Indian 'Idols' have gotten a raw deal as compared to their American counterparts?
Not if Aseem Kapoor, VP Marketing, SET India Pvt. Ltd., is to be believed. According to Kapoor the 'Indian Idol' winners are paid a whopping Rupees one crore by Sony Television as per the contract between the media house and the artistes. The winners also get to cut an album with Sony BMG. That apart, there are a host of concerts and shows lined-up. The contract is valid for a year after which the winner is free to pursue his/her career independently. However, Kapoor emphasis, that this does not mean a breaking of all contacts between the two - the two continue to help each other when required.
In stark contrast to the Indian contract, the 'American Idol' contract has often come under severe criticism for its stringent conditions. The contract that the winners sign with 19 Group, the production company headed by the British Pop entrepreneur Simon Fuller, who created 'Pop Idol', ensures that the winners literally hand over their lives to the company. The contract is held in top secret and if the winners leak out any detail about their contract or the show they are liable to pay damages, "in excess of $5 million".
In such a scenario one can't help but wonder if the 'Indian Idol' winners are not better off than their American friends. They may have no professional backing after a year, but they have the freedom to pursue their career in the manner they wish. In addition, Aseem Kapoor, points out, the 'Indian Idol' catapults them to fame and fortune and a platform from which they can easily take off. Kapoor explains further, that as many big names are keen to be associated with an 'Indian Idol' winner, s/he gets loads of opportunity to start building a successful career.
Also, note that unlike the west, most singers who are not necessarily into hardcore classical music aspire to be playback singers for Bollywood. Solo artists or bands are not as popular in India as Bollywood playback singers. "The ultimate dream for these singers is to sing for the Indian film industry", says Aseem Kapoor. And 'Indian Idol' provided that opportunity.
Abhijeet Sawant has repeatedly said in his interviews that he wants to become a successful playback singer. Abhijeet has sung the song, 'Mar Jawa Mit Jawa' for the film, 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne'. Rahul Vaidya, his competitor in the same season, has sung for three films, 'Shaadi No 1', 'Jaaneman' and 'Jigyasa'. Once again, NC Karunya, who may not have won the competition in the second season of 'Indian Idol', but still managed to score big time when he sang 'Aane chaar aane' for 'Lage Raho Munnabhai'.
All in all, it is difficult to say who is better off, the 'Indian Idol' or the 'American Idol' winners. Whatever be the case one cannot deny the fact that the singers do benefit. They get closer to fulfilling dreams that would have otherwise taken them years of struggle to accomplish.
http://xtraedition.indiatimes.com/quickiearticleshow/msid-17 71677.cms
Sanjaya Malakar: Will he be an American Idol?
Sanjaya, born of an Indian father and an Italian mother comes from a family of singers. While his father is an Indian classical singer, he credits his mother for the unfailing presence of music in their lives. The 'American Idol' aspirant calls Stevie Wonder his idol. He sang 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' for his first audition and 'Knocks me off my feet' when he made it to the top 24.
However, Sanjaya's journey has been far from smooth. Though the judges saw promise in him during his first audition their opinions have been steadily depreciating. Sanjaya has been severely criticized by his judges and critics who are surprised that he has managed to reach this far. Simon Cowell, one of the judges known for his blunt and harsh comments, has even gone on to state that he'll quit the show if Sanjaya wins the talent hunt.
For Sanjaya, the humiliation doesn't end here. He has found mention in the 'VoteForTheWorst.com', which writes, "There's still OTHER really bad singers like Sanjaya Malakar. And if we're going to make a mockery OF a mockery, we have to keep on voting hard and letting the worst-of-the-worst keep on sliding through. Maybe we'll reach our goal of getting at least ONE (1) very bad singer in the "final two"... or even better, having one WIN 'American Idol'!"
Patrick Gleeson, a blogger writes, "This kid is WAY out of his league. He looks like it hurts when he smiles. Very weak voice and NO charisma at all." Judy Haffner says, "Sanjaya was NOT good, and I think we will all agree on that, but that's not to say that I think he can't do better, as he has a good voice."
On the brighter side, there are people who think otherwise. Deanie79 writes in the 'American Idol' news blog, "Looking very preppy in a blue striped shirt, Sanjaya dances around the stage singing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." His eyes, his smile, and his curls sparkle and I imagine every young girl out there just completely forgot to listen to the singing. Sanjaya has the IT factor. He excites and interests us. Unfortunately he doesn't have the vocal chops to match."
With the talent show being one of the most successful shows on television, having a good fan base can obviously do wonders for any singer, probably at the cost of upsetting the judges. However, this problem is not unique to 'American Idol' alone.
Its Indian counterpart, the 'Indian Idol' has also faced similar situations when judges have often been shocked by their audience's choice of winners. So much so that when Amey Date was voted out of the show in favour of Anuj Sharma at last year's Indian Idol, the three judges walked out in protest on what they felt was an unfair judgment by the public.
The two shows work on a similar format – the only difference being the level that the judges take their criticism. In American Idol, the judges, especially Simon Cowell, do not hesitate to mince words. "If you would be singing like this two thousand years ago, people would have stoned you," Cowell has been known to have said to a contestant during the show.
In India, though Anu Malik tries to keep pace, he really can't afford to get too rude for fear of hurting Indian sensibilities – both on and off the screen.
The similarities between the shows however, end with their formats. Post the win, the organizers seem to take different routes. Most of the 'American Idol' winners, even runners-up and those who didn't make it to the top three, have managed to build successful careers for themselves.
Kelly Clarkson, the first 'American Idol' winner, Clay Aiken, the runner up in season 2, Fantasia Barrino, winner of the third season as well as Carrie Underwood, winner of the fourth season, have all won awards in the three major music awards in the country. Jennifer Hudson, who couldn't make it to the top, recently won the Oscar for her performance in 'Dreamgirls'.
Back home, however, one can't help but ask: Where have all the 'Indian Idols' gone? The first 'Indian Idol' winner Abhijeet Sawant seems to have disappeared into oblivion and little has been heard of his fellow contestants, Amit Sana, Rahul Vaidya, or Prajyukta Shukre. Except for the occasional music videos that Prajyukta Shukre and Meenal Jain have recently been seen in, the limelight seems to have abandoned these winners.
Does this mean that the Indian 'Idols' have gotten a raw deal as compared to their American counterparts?
Not if Aseem Kapoor, VP Marketing, SET India Pvt. Ltd., is to be believed. According to Kapoor the 'Indian Idol' winners are paid a whopping Rupees one crore by Sony Television as per the contract between the media house and the artistes. The winners also get to cut an album with Sony BMG. That apart, there are a host of concerts and shows lined-up. The contract is valid for a year after which the winner is free to pursue his/her career independently. However, Kapoor emphasis, that this does not mean a breaking of all contacts between the two - the two continue to help each other when required.
In stark contrast to the Indian contract, the 'American Idol' contract has often come under severe criticism for its stringent conditions. The contract that the winners sign with 19 Group, the production company headed by the British Pop entrepreneur Simon Fuller, who created 'Pop Idol', ensures that the winners literally hand over their lives to the company. The contract is held in top secret and if the winners leak out any detail about their contract or the show they are liable to pay damages, "in excess of $5 million".
In such a scenario one can't help but wonder if the 'Indian Idol' winners are not better off than their American friends. They may have no professional backing after a year, but they have the freedom to pursue their career in the manner they wish. In addition, Aseem Kapoor, points out, the 'Indian Idol' catapults them to fame and fortune and a platform from which they can easily take off. Kapoor explains further, that as many big names are keen to be associated with an 'Indian Idol' winner, s/he gets loads of opportunity to start building a successful career.
Also, note that unlike the west, most singers who are not necessarily into hardcore classical music aspire to be playback singers for Bollywood. Solo artists or bands are not as popular in India as Bollywood playback singers. "The ultimate dream for these singers is to sing for the Indian film industry", says Aseem Kapoor. And 'Indian Idol' provided that opportunity.
Abhijeet Sawant has repeatedly said in his interviews that he wants to become a successful playback singer. Abhijeet has sung the song, 'Mar Jawa Mit Jawa' for the film, 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne'. Rahul Vaidya, his competitor in the same season, has sung for three films, 'Shaadi No 1', 'Jaaneman' and 'Jigyasa'. Once again, NC Karunya, who may not have won the competition in the second season of 'Indian Idol', but still managed to score big time when he sang 'Aane chaar aane' for 'Lage Raho Munnabhai'.
All in all, it is difficult to say who is better off, the 'Indian Idol' or the 'American Idol' winners. Whatever be the case one cannot deny the fact that the singers do benefit. They get closer to fulfilling dreams that would have otherwise taken them years of struggle to accomplish.
http://xtraedition.indiatimes.com/quickiearticleshow/msid-17 71677.cms
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