Big turnout for ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ registra

Big turnout for 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' registration

By Mrudu Naik and Rekha Baala
MUSCAT — Housewife Bobby has been singing at home for nearly four hours every day for the past week. Kulkarni's wife has been doing the same. And the Kulkarnis have come all the way from Salalah.
Bobby and Kulkarni's wife are not the only singers in Oman who have brushed up their singing skills before the big event, Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Middle East Muqabala 2006 audition process, which started at Indian Social Club, Muscat, yesterday.
Participants from age 15 to 72 (yes, that is the age of the oldest contestant) have registered their names for the auditions, which ends tomorrow.
For singers in Oman, the event is a dream come true. They are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to outshine each other during the three-day auditions.
Elaborate arrangements have also been made to shoot the footage of the auditions, which will be used for the final selection process.
The enthusiasm of the participants is evident by the huge response at the registration level.
"Ever since I saw the advertisement for Sa Re Ga Ma Pa audition tests on Zee TV, I have begun preparations in the right earnest," said Bobby, a participant.
Most of the women, men, boys and girls are optimistic that they would be selected.
"Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is a great programme and I thought I should take this chance and try my luck. I have been singing for a lot of stage shows and have even sung Hindi songs for Asianet Channel.
For the auditions, I will be singing a Kishore Kumar song," said Shashi, a wannabe singer from Salalah.
ISC officials informed that application forms for the auditions were in great demand as a number of people from the city and its adjoining areas are keen to participate in the programme.
Nitin Mirani, executive, events, Real Media FZ LLC/Zee Network, is part of the team which will select contestants for the second phase of the competition to be held in Dubai.
"We are amazed by the first round of auditions in Bahrain and Qatar. It is very motivating to be around such talent. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is a programme where people from all walks of life, irrespective of their age get a chance to display their singing skills. It is a truly universal platform for people with talent to fulfill their dreams," he said.
It was interesting to note that many husbands had come to hand over their wives' entry forms. To this, Nitin quipped: "I guess the show should have a new tagline — Sa Re Ga Ma Pa brings out the husband in you."
A large number of aspiring singers are expected to register today and the hunt for the most talented singers will begin in full swing when the auditions start at 2pm.