Debojit show of gratitude

Guwahati, April 21: The build-up is massive, the enthusiasm mind-boggling. When "Voice of India" Debojit Saha performs here tomorrow — for the first time after winning a TV reality show — it will be a "show of gratitude" to the people of Assam. After all, it was their votes that sent him to the top spot in the contest.

Addressing a news conference here today, Debojit said tomorrow's show (as well as three successive programmes at Jorhat, Tezpur and Dibrugarh) would be his expression of "heartfelt and sincere gratitude" to the people of Assam. As he himself acknowledged, it was their unstinted support that helped him win Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005.

The star singer will perform at Jorhat on Sunday, followed by shows at Tezpur on Monday and Dibrugarh on Tuesday.

The All Assam Students Union (AASU) is making elaborate arrangements at the Judges Field to make the show a grand success. The singer's popularity has forced the AASU to make entry to the show free. The programme will start at 4.45 pm tomorrow.

A leading private event management group has been entrusted with the task of building a suitable stage for Debojit. "The stage will be quite high, so that spectators can see and enjoy Debojit's show from far away," an official of the event management group promised.

Debojit revealed that he has already signed contracts for singing in two Bollywood films.

After completing his tour of Assam on April 26, the singer will fly to Mumbai. There he will record his maiden film song in one of Mukesh Bhatt's movies. Debojit will then leave for the US on April 30 for a stage performance.

"Whatever I am today is all because of the love and care given to me by the people of the Northeast as well as other parts of the country. There is no dearth of talent in the Northeast. The need of the hour is to get the right kind of exposure. The Indian television reality shows have been able to explore hidden talents across the country," he said.

AASU adviser Sammujjal Bhattacharyya said Debojit has once again proved that music could be a great unifying force. He was confident that tomorrow's show would once again prove this fact.

After the news meet, Debojit went to meet Bhupen Hazarika at GNRC Hospital here and sought the music maestro's blessings. Hazarika wished Debojit a bright future.He encouraged him and said all Assam was behind the budding singer.

Given the concerns over security, the Kamrup (metropolitan) district administration and Guwahati police have made special arrangements. The city traffic branch has chalked out plans to divert traffic on arterial roads, particularly Mahatma Gandhi Road, during the programme.