November 23, 2007
Meet Harshit Saxena, the boy from Lucknow.
It's true fortune favours the brave. On the eve of his exams, he chose to risk it all to audition for Star's Voice of India. And now he's in the finals.
With his family backing him as well as the rest of the country, Harshit seems to be just a few steps away from realising his dream.
He held his own against some harsh criticism and tough competition. And now, he goes head to head against Punjab Da Puttar, Ishmeet Singh in the grand finale on Saturday.
Here's an insight into Harshit's struggles and triumphs so far.
Tell us about yourself.
I'm from Lucknow. I live with my mother, father, dadiji and my brother Shobhit. My brother and mom are great singers. I've learnt from them. I learned to sing some old songs and even some classical numbers from my mother.
When did you realise that singing was your passion?
I have always liked singing, as music runs in my family. In my ninth class, I tried out for Lucknow Mahotsav, a state level singing competition and won. I won four years in a row. I realised that I could perform well.
How did you enter VOI? Tell us about your auditions.
I found out about the auditions on television. I really wanted to try out for it but it was a difficult decision. I was supposed to appear for my physiotherapy semester exams. I thought what if I dropped out of my last year and then didn't through the audition, I would waste a whole year.
But my father encouraged me to go ahead with the audition. He said kabhi kabhi risk lena zaruri hain (sometimes, it's important to take risks). He told me to at least try and see what happens. I could never have done it without my family's support.
Were you nervous when you auditioned?
I was a little nervous because in life, luck really counts. Sometimes, things do not go your way. But I was confident about my ability.
Are you a trained singer?
I've been training for three years with Ustad Gulshan Bharti.
What is the source of inspiration for your music?
I follow Kishoreda's music very closely. Mein unko bahoot maanta hoon (I respect him a lot). I am also a huge follower of Sonu Nigam.
What is the hardest part about this competition?
Being patient. You have to have patience round after round and work hard. I have worked so hard these past months to get where I am. Kitna riaaz kiya hain (I have practiced a lot). But no matter how you perform and or much you put in, the end results are out of your hands. It's the audience that make the final decision.
You most memorable moment so far?
That would be when I performed Tum Mile, Dil Kheele in front of the judges and Mukesh Bhattji and Mahesh Bhatt ji offered me a chance to sing in their film. That was incredible.
I'm sure you've made friends here, spending so much time with other contestants. Who are your closest companions here?
Yes, I made many friends. My close friends are Priyani Vani, Abhaas Joshi, Sumitra Iyer and Toshi Sabri. It was so hard to see them get eliminated. But what can one do? It is the format of the show and we have to respect that.
You're up against Ishmeet. What is your take on him?
Ishmeet is a very good singer. And he's has the full support of Punjab. It is their devotion for him that has got him this far. And we have to respect their choice. Ishmeet has a lot of talent.
Being in the finals, how significant is this for you?
It is very significant. It is a dream come true. I have worked so hard to reach this place. But truth be told, the great thing about this show is that in the end, it doesn't matter if you win or not. You get so much exposure just being here at this stage. I have received so many offers already, based on my previous performances. And now I will be performing in front of the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. Is mein hi jeet hain (the victory lies here).
What offers have you received?
I have been approached by great music composers like Mukesh and Mahesh Bhatt, Sajid-Wajid, Daboo Malik, Aadesh Srivastav, Jatinji and Lalitji.
Is singing something you want to do for the rest of your life?
I want to finish my last year of physiotherapy. I think studies are very important and I have always been good in them. But yes, I want to pursue singing for the rest of my life.
What do your parents and friends think of your success? You are a star already.
I don't know if I'm a star but this show has given me such great exposure and great opportunities. My family and friends are all excited for me. They are very proud of me. And I am so grateful for their support. I couldn't have reached this far without it.
http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/nov/23voi.htm?zcc=rl ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------
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Meet Ishmeet Singh, a talented young man from Ludhiana, Punjab, who gave up his studies, went against his parent's wishes and took a huge risk to follow his dreams.
And lucky for Ishmeet, the risk paid off. From thousands and thousands of hopeful singers, Ishmeet stands apart as one of the two finalists of the television reality show, Star's Voice of India.
Barely two days away from the grand finale, Ishmeet spends most of his time in riaaz. But he took some time out to speak to us about about his journey so far.
Tell us about yourself.
I come from a simple middle class background. There's my mother, dad and my elder sister, Sumeet.
Everyone sings in my family. My dad is a great singer, so are my chachaji and his children. So I have been singing from very young. But it was in my ninth class that I really got into singing Hindi songs.
When did you realise that singing was your passion?
In my ninth class, every student was asked to sing a song. When I sang, my teacher, Jagdeet Kaur, told me that I have a very good voice. She told me that I would go very far because of my singing.
Are you a trained singer?
I've had basic training. I've learned a lot from my dad. I learned singing Hindi songs from him.
How did you enter VOI? Tell us about your auditions.
I saw it on television. I learnt that they were holding auditions for the new season of Voice of India and I wanted to try out for it. But my family was against it. They wanted me to complete my studies. I couldn't do both, as my studies take up all my time. So I had to reason with my mother to let me at least go for the audition. She told me that even if I was selected, I couldn't continue because my studies were very important.
I auditioned in Delhi and was selected. From thousands of hopefuls, only 39 were selected. Then it was down to 33 and finally 12. But still my mother was asking me to give it up and return home.
I requested her to just let me try, dekhte hain kaha tak pahuch sakhta hoon (see how far I could go). In the end, my relatives had to intervene and convince my parents.
Now that you've reached the finals, you're already a big star. What do they feel now?
They're very proud of me. So is everybody else. I have made a name for myself and my family. Because of this show and what I've achieved, we have moved up from a simple middle class life to a very respectable standard. The kind of people I'm meeting, and the life I'm leading right now is only because of this show.
What is the source of inspiration for your music?
Initially, it was just my dad. He taught me everything. Then I started following Mohammad Rafiji. I'm big fan of Shaan and Sonu Nigam; I follow their singing very closely.
Do you get nervous before every performance? Do you have any ritual that you do to calm yourself down?
Earlier, I would get very nervous. But now, I have got used to performing in front of an audience. But no matter what, before every performance, I chant Wahe Guru on my Simone Mala; it's the beaded mala that I always wear on my wrist.
What is the hardest part about this competition?
Singing is the easy part. Impressing the audience is difficult. In the end, it all comes down to them.
What has been the most memorable moment for you up till now?
Every moment, every day has been memorable. Since the day this experience has started, every moment has been so special. It has changed my life, and for the better.
There are eliminations in every round. Was there a point when you thought, 'I'm next to go'?
Oh yes, every time! You can do your best, put everything into your performance, but after that, it's no longer in your hands. It's up to the audience and their votes.
You're up against Harshit in the finals. What is your take on him?
Harshit is very talented. Bahoot achcha gata hain (he sings very well). You know, we both have come so far. Coming so far in the competition is a great achievement in itself. It doesn't matter who is voted the final winner. If one wins and the other is voted second, it doesn't mean he is the loser. We've come so far -- there's nothing to lose anymore. We are both winners.
Is singing something you want to do for the rest of your life?
I will go back to studies first. It's what my parents want from me. But yes, I also want to continue singing. People know me because of my voice. I have made a name because of my singing so I don't think I'm going to give it up.
http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/nov/22voi.htm------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ -
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