'ONE-MAN-ARMY' VINEET Singh and bubbly Twinkle Bajpai of Lucknow are all set to catch the starlight. Well almost!
The two young singers have been competing in the last round of 10 finalists, for some weeks now, on the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 show on Zee TV. Incidentally, Aditi Sharma, also of Lucknow, sent fans in a tizzy by winning the Zee Cinestar Ki Khoj title last year.
ALL-ROUNDER TWINKLE, has received several playback offers. However, she says, she had to turn down an offer by Aadesh Shrivastava recently because of a sore throat. Yet, she's upbeat about more offers by "Ismail Durbarji, my mentor and Himeshji".
An alumni of Emma Thompson, St Teresa Day College and now Awadh Girls' Degree College, Twinkle has studied music at Bhatkhande and Lakshmi Sangeet Mahavidyalaya at Ganesh Ganj. "All my teachers have done a lot for me and the maximum credit goes to my mother."
The Gemini had won the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa campus special last year. "The Lucknow-tag makes people admire my tehzeeb. I hope lots of people will vote for me and help me win this Challenge 2005. I want to win the title for my mom and make my city proud." she said. Twinkle loves dancing and "that will help me in my stage performances". She is learning to play the guitar that's when she can find time from her other hobby—sleeping!
Twinkle's mom Arti Bajpai says, "I identified the musical talent in my daughter when she was six and decided to ensure formal training for her when she turned nine. I am confident she will win the title along with Vineet."
Vineet's mentor, Himesh Reshammiya, has already promised him a contract for seven playback songs. Vineet has already lent his voice for movie Rocky slated for a December-release. An enthusiastic Vineet told HT Lucknow Live, "The song Dil rang le, pyar de nal rang le… that I am singing will be picturised on heartthrob Zayed Khan. I will also be singing for Shahid Kapoor soon."
The show's youngest participant, Vineet started singing at five. He was trained by his father Tej Narain Singh, before going on to study music at the Bhatkhande Deemed University. Vineet's first stage performance was at the age of eight.
Having already won Close-UP Antakshari, Vineet obtained a direct entry into the 'top 32' for the Sa, Re, Ga, Ma… contest as a wildcard holder. "I have dropped my Class 12 this year for the show and after such hard work I want to win the title. Everything now, depends on voting and I am confident India will vote for me. My mentor has worked very hard on me and I want to win the title for him," said Vineet who earlier wanted to join the Ismail Durbar gharana on the show.
Vineet, loved for his naughtiness and playfulness by the other participants, loves playing the guitar, dancing and kite flying.
Vineet's mother Bindu Singh said, "His voice is a god-gift. I am confident he will win. As far as girls are concerned I think Nehra is a strong candidate but I want Twinkle to win so both the winners are from Lucknow!"
For the uninitiated: The show has all the participants grouped in four gharanas with their individual catchy slogans. The four slogans are 'Jai Ho', 'Hummein hai dum', 'Yalgar ho' and 'Let's rock'.
