I came across this Forum very recently and have been following the discussions here. This is my first posting.
I saw the 1st episode of the third phase where Vineet and Nihira got green cards. We, in USA, are a week behind so I could see it only yesterday.
What prompted me to post is the choice of judge for this episode. Daler Mehdi??? I mean DM of all????? -- and that too with Pt. Jasraj-ji. I was not just surprised but I was amazed and terribly angered. How in this world SRGMP put DM next to Pt. Jasaraj-ji? Are they out of their mind? Panditji is the epitome of Indian classical music, THE MOST DECORATED person in Indian music world today-- PandmaVibhushan, Sangeet Martand, Sangeet Kala Ratna, Sangeet Sapta Sindhu, Kalidas Sanman -- the list is endless. DL is may be a popular pop/bhangra artist but he has a questionable character (he was caught in illegal visa scam a few years back) while Panditji is the most respected music personality, the doyen of Indian music and the best known cultural ambassodor of India today. By putting DM next to him, SRGMP has insulted Panditji.
I agree with Venky_iyer that judges need to have some qualifications to get on the judge panel of SRGMP. They should be well respected music personalities with other manadatory qualities such as those listed by Venky. They should command highest respect from both the mentors and the participants for fair assessment of the participants singing (not the presentation) skills and providing then with inspiring, valuable advice. They should critic the participants and NOT criticize them. DM, Suresh Wadkar, Sameer did not fit the bill. Even OP (with all due respect to him) and Jagjit Singh were ineffective. Kavitha Krishmurthy, Shiv-ji and Hari-ji were the only right choices.
If SRGMP continues to get these kinds of judges, I am afraid we will soon see other deserving candidates out of the race. I am deeply saddened to see Vishwas and Ujjaini out. I think Vishwas sang better than Vineet in round1. I am now afraid that at this rate we may even see Sharif out soon.