Hema

Guwahati, Sept. 16: Tall, brooding, with a voice to die for, V. Hemachandra, knew exactly how to set the stage — the Press Club in this case — on fire.

A smattering of Assamese in that youthful baritone and the gathering of fans were ready to swoon.

"Ki Khabar? Bhalney? (How are you all? Fine?)," shouted the singing sensation from Hyderabad.

The closest Hemachandra has come to "Assam" a year ago was through his Assamese co-contestant Debojit Saha in the musical reality show, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.

A year on, he was sitting at the Assam capital, announcing his debut Assamese album, Hey Maiyerey.

As he belted out a few numbers from the album, fans could not help but shout "encore".In fact, before declaring his debut the Assamese project, the singer gave a high-voltage performance at the State Film Awards Festival at ITA Cultural Complex, Machkhowa, last night.

"Apart from my own mother tongue, Telugu, this is the first time that I am singing in any other Indian regional language. Assamese is a sweet language and I had a great time singing the numbers. Although I found it difficult to pick up the language initially, now I can relate with the language," said Hemachandra.

Difficult to pick up?

One stanza from the title track of his forthcoming album, Maiyerey Maiyerey..., and Hema (as the singer is more popularly known as) laid all apprehensions to rest about his ability to pick up the language.

His ease with the "alien" language was enough to pass him off as a lad of the land.

"He has adapted quite easily with the language. He is a singer with great depth. I would love to work with him again," said Jayanta Das, the music director of the album, produced by Maa Kali Music Production House.

In the album, Hemachandra has sung two songs, which includes a duet with singer Chinmoyee Bordoloi.

The album is set to release in October first week.

An ever-smiling Hemachandra stole a million hearts, including actor Akashaye Khanna's, when he sang Nahi Saamne, a number from the 1999 blockbuster, Taal. Moved to tears, Khanna gave the young man a standing ovation during the musical reality show last year.

The singer, however, has no regrets for missing the crown.

"Winning and losing is never an issue with me. I always wanted to sing and perform well. And I am glad that I was appreciated by all," said Hema.

"It was only after participating in the reality show that I was offered singing contracts from across the country. The show gives newcomers a chance to make their presence felt in the music industry," he added.

Hemachandra, indeed, is a busy singer. Apart from singing for Bollywood films like Alaag, MummyJi, the singer is set to cut his first Hindi album, Hemachandra. Music director Harry Anand has scored the music for the album.

The Hyderabadi sensation will soon release his second Assamese album.

"I have a long way to go, before fulfilling my dream of becoming a star singer like my idol Kishore Kumar," said Hema before wrapping up his Guwahati trip.