The meaning of 'genuine talent' votes.

Posted by Rajen Garabadu on ibnlive.

The last time I wrote a blog was a year ago. I wrote it at the crack of dawn, much before my usual wake-up time. It was Mr Bachchan's birthday and I had woken up to go through the web responses of a quiz on the Big B. Having done that, I couldn't go back to sleep. Instead, I went back in time to memories which had become a part of my childhood and adolescent years. Suddenly, it all came back vividly to me, in a manner it had never before. I decided to put pen to paper and what I wrote for personal consumption went on to become my second blog. I posted the blog and forgot about it.

Many weeks later a friend asked me why I had stopped writing. I had no reply to offer at that moment. I thought about it during the drive back home. The answer was simple. I am not a writer. I can neither claim to have a flair for words nor the gift of story telling. I write in my bedroom and I write for myself. I write only when I am inspired or moved.

The point I am trying to make is that it has taken exactly 364 days (since I last wrote) to feel this way. What or who has caused this, you may want to know. Without taking any break, commercial or otherwise (like TV anchors do), let me introduce you to Amanat Ali, the reason behind this piece. For those who don't know him, he is a singer from Pakistan, who is among the top 3 finalists of the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge.

I chanced to hear him one Saturday evening when I turned an opportunity into an advantage. On finding my wife busy on the phone, I grabbed the television remote and quickly flipped through the adjacent channels. At the third press of the button, I heard what I hadn't for a very long time...Tadap Tadap ke is dil se.. from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Hain Sanam.

Those of you who have heard the song will agree that it is impossible to sing the song any better than the original rendition. I would have defended the same till my last breath had I not heard this lad from our neighboring country.

I went on to watch the remaining part of the show and was amazed to hear the range and depth of his voice. I found in him a true contender for the crown not only for Sa Re Ga Ma Pa but all the reality shows that exist today (which seek to hunt for the best voice). I decided not to base my judgment on a single episode and see many more before I finally make up my mind. Till then I had only watched a couple of episodes of Indian Idol 3. I was among the large section of viewers who felt that Amit Paul was the best thing to have happened to Indian music this year. Then I went on to hear Harshit and Aabhas, two of the finest contenders for Amul Voice Of India and couldn't help but admire the depth and throw of their voice. Before Amanat, I was not in a position to offer any judgment on who (among the trio) was the deserving first among equals. Post-Amanat, it was suddenly all so easy. Ladies and gentlemen, you have to hear him to believe him.

Having said that, I am certain that he won't win the competition thanks to the weight of public votes in these competitions. Today, winners are decided on the basis of three letters - SMS and what's unfortunate, votes are cast on the basis of region. By that logic, this lad from Pakistan doesn't have a chance.

The other contenders have used every opportunity to appeal to viewers and stir up votes on grounds of region or mouthed all the politically correct things to say to the judges, guests on the show or the millions of TV viewers. In sharp contrast, Amanat has been impeccably humble, enough to make the other finalists look like vote-hungry politicians. He has not only sung from the heart, in his own style (without copying the original singer), but has been dismissive of any praise showered on him and even confessed that it was much more than he deserved. The sheer honesty in his eyes is enough to assure you that he said it not because it is the right thing to say but because he truly feels that way.

I have made it a point not to miss any of his songs since I first heard him and ever since, he has moved me in a manner which cannot be described. His rendition of Tujhse Naraaz Nahin from Shekhar Kapur's Masoom was enough to convey to everyone who heard him that he did not just sing the song, he infused life into every word that he mouthed.

Saturday, the 13th Of October is the day of the big result. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to every internet-browsing-TV-viewing individual to watch the show and vote. And when you do so, please bear only one thing in mind - merit. Let the best man win. It doesn't matter where he comes from and what he says. All that should matter is the quality of his voice, the versatility and originality that he brings to the stage and last but not the least - his ability to move the audience.

Amanat, as his name suggests, is not just the amanat of his parents, guru or his country. He is the amanat of every music lover, irrespective of language, caste, religion or nationality.