Last weeks' advice from the mentors and the judges seemed to have worked on the contestants. There was a great improvement in their performances tonight and also some of the song selections were good… Here we go with the recap…
The show began with Aditya Narayan singing ‘Tenu leke’ from Salaam-e-Ishq. Oh he is a replica of his dad Udit Narayan. He sounds just like his dad, his hand movements, and his head shaking, just about everything!! Being so young, I think he is doing a good job of hosting, but I am wondering how will handle all these mentor fights at a later stage. I remember Shaan had a tough time being the peacemaker between these egoistic mentors.
The mentors were introduced - Disco king Bappi Lahiri, most happening Himmesh Reshammiya, the inimitable Ismail Darbar, hit and hot Vishal - Shekhar! This week had Ashaji once again as a judge; Ghulam Ali Saab was not there this time. When asked what her expectations were this week, she said that she has heard that after last week the contestants have been practicing harder which will make her job harder. The theme was ‘Mentor’s Favourites’
Bappi Da’s Josh Gharana started the evening with Harpreet singing Kishore Kumar’s ‘O Maajhi Re’ from the movie Khushboo. I think he sang this song very beautifully and very cautiously. The emotions of this song were conveyed nicely. Mauli became the star after the audition rounds, so I am sure, like me, a lot of them were waiting to see her next performance. She sang Ashaji’s ‘Karle Pyaar Karle’ from the movie Talaash. She sang this song with a lot of spunk; she also is very camera friendly. I think her training in dance helped her put in the expressions wherever necessary. She is a performer no doubt, but I felt that since she raised the bar so high for herself two weeks back, she will have to always try to top that. It was a good performance, but not great.
Himmesh felt that Harpreet will have to work hard and Mauli is very good and there are a lot of expectations from her. Ismail Darbar liked both the performances. He could see their hard work and advised them to keep that going. Vishal was not at all happy with the performance, he felt they have become over confident due to last weeks praise. They have to raise their level to keep up Bappi Da’s standard. Bappi Da’s advice was to keep trying their best and work hard. Ashaji loved Harpreet’s performance, because she felt he sang in Sur and with a lot of feelings. For Mauli, she said that this song had a lot of variations, which she did not catch, while singing. Then Ashaji also demonstrated how the few words in the beginning need to be said... I must say, whatever Ashaji’s age, she has one of the most sensuous voice in our film industry even now… The way she said ‘Hi Prince…Akele Ho?’ reminded me of that song ‘Mera Naam Hain Shabnam’ from the movie Kati Patang, where the entire song has no tune as such, but seductive expressions. They don’t make ‘em like her anymore!
Next up was Yalgaar Gharana, whose mentor Ismail Darbar selected Poonam and Desh Gaurav. Poonam sang the swinging number ‘Hungama Ho Gaya’ from the movie ‘Anhonee’. When they showed her during rehearsals with Ismail Darbar she seemed like a timid demure girl, dupatta over head and all… but when she started performing she created a Hungama! Her voice control was amazing and vocal expressions were brilliant, in fact her vocal expressions were the closest to that of Ashaji’s that I have heard so far in the competition. At the end of her performance, she stated that she has been watching the SRGMP musicians for years on the show and just getting a chance to sing along with them, she feels she has got everything in life. I think it was sweet of her to acknowledge the musicians. They are the back bone of any song, no matter how good a singer you are! Desh Gaurav sang ‘Na Ja Kahin Ab Na Ja’ from the movie ‘Mere Humdum Mere Dost’. He went out of Sur many a times, but he does have a nice voice.
Bappi Da liked Poonam’s performance today and asked Desh Gaurav needs to work on his Sur. Vishal - Shekhar were in complete praise for Poonam, because it was a difficult song and she sang it very well. Himmesh Reshammiya gave 100% percent credit of these performances to mentor Ismail Darbar. He said to Desh Gaurav not to worry about the mess up in today’s episode, because from now on Ismail Darbar will put more effort on him. Mentor Ismail Darbar had asked both these contestants to think of Ashaji and Rafi Saab, when singing these songs respectively. He said that Poonam has sung this song keeping only 50% of Ashaji in her mind, and wondered what she would have happened, if she kept 100% of Ashaji in her mind.
Ashaji jokingly said that all judges were talking good about her today. With regards to the performances she was wondering why everyone are picking difficult songs. She liked Poonam’s performance and she felt that she could become a good playback singer. She praised Desh’s performance very diplomatically, maybe she didn’t want to put down anybody. On hearing all these praises from Ashaji, Poonam could not control her tears and said that with Ashaji blessing her today she feels that she got everything in life and seeing this Ashaji also had tears
Rock Gharana’s mentor Himmesh Reshammiya selected the song ‘Kya Jaanu Sajan’ from the movie ‘Baharon Ke Sapne’ for Amrita. Amrita sang the song beautifully, but there were no emotions or expressions whatsoever on her face. She was singing just like any other singing competition. Mussarat sang ‘Jiya Dhadak Dhadak’ from the movie ‘Kalyug’. I think he sang this song nicely, except that I am a little concerned when he goes low pitch. At low pitch his voice thickens and I feel it shakes at that point of time. I noticed this in his earlier performance too. Nevertheless, I think he did a good job.
Bappi Da liked Mussarat’s performance, but he felt Amrita couldn’t give much life to the song. Vishal felt Musarrat should try different styles of songs and show more variety. He also felt Mussarat was doing a little more than required. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Saab has innocence in his voice, which made the song touch the heart. He felt Amrita’s song pitchy. Ismail advised Amrita to understand the expression of a song while singing. He liked Mussarat’s performance especially the Antara. Mentor Himmesh felt that Amrita sang at a surface level and advised her to work hard. Himmesh felt Mussarat conveyed the emotions of the song well. In response to Vishal’s comment on showing versatility Himmesh said that he never ventures into pushing any of his Shishya’s to be versatile when they cannot. He prefers to have them sing in their comfort zone. There are many contest singers in the past who have tried to sing out of their comfort zone and now they were sitting at home without any work. He does not wish any of his students to have that fate like the others, hence he prefers them singing in what they are skilled at. He wishes Mussarat to make an identity in these genres.
Ashaji was surprised that no one caught that Amrita didn’t give Aakar (singing using the vowel sound aa) anywhere, she sang the entire song in Ekar. She demonstrated how to open the mouth for each word, when to use the nose or throat. Singing in Aakar can hide the flaws when one is out of Sur. She suggested a way to practice singing in Aakar – hold your tongue with a towel and say aa. She felt Mussarat should have shown some versatility. She did not like the idea that a singer should get stuck with one style of song, once the style gets over the artist also will fade out. Himmesh jumped in and accepted his mistake that he was responsible for Mussarat singing this genre. Himmesh wanted Mussarat to prove his mettle in this genre first and then after 2 years he can also change his genre and give hits like how his guru (Himmesh) has been doing. So Himmesh had to show off after all!!! Isn’t there something called as humility? Himmesh is sitting in the same mentors’ panel as Bappi Da, who has been a prime time music director as well as singer, and he is acting as though he is the king of music and that no one can beat him….jeez! What an attitude! To this Ashaji blessed Mussarat and hoped that whatever Himmesh said to Mussarat comes true. She said her role in this show is to show right direction to the contestants. She does not like judging, because she feels that there is so much more to learn and she does not deem herself eligible to judge. She definitely did not like Himmesh’s response and attitude. Every week there are has to be at least one drama right?
Since Josh Gharana and Rock Gharana lost one contestant each last week, they get to choose from the Eklavya group. Bappi Da chose Sumedha and Himmesh chose Tushar.
After all the drama, the last Gharana to perform was Vishal - Shekhar’s Hit - It Gharana. Junaid sang ‘Chahunga Main Tujhe’ from the movie Dosti and Saberri sang ‘Pyar Karne Waale’ from Shaan.
Shekhar felt that Saberri sang with a lot of energy level but she needs to be careful on Sur. Vishal felt that there was lack of emotions. Ashaji felt there is a lot of vibration given to the songs which is forbidden for our Indian songs, they can be done for English songs. She felt the lack of emotions in the songs.
Decision Time!
Girls group - Poonam gets the green light, which means she is through to the next round. I think she fully deserves it today. Amrita, Saberri and Mauli get the yellow light which means they will be performing once again on Saturday.
Boys - Harpreet gets green light , Desh Gaurav, Mussarat and Junaid get the yellow light
Ok few things I wanted to say….
Why are they always showing the state/country name along with the name of the singer?
This in itself starts putting the seeds of regionalism in everyone’s mind…..sigh, so much for money!!
What’s with the background score? Sometimes they put this music as though some drama is going to happen and then not even a whimper!!
I noticed that Shekhar rarely comments.
Based on today’s performance Desh Gaurav and Saberri are on my bottom two list. We’ll see how they all perform tomorrow.
Musharrat - Stuck! Bechaara. To have the badkismat (bad fortune) of having Heinous as a guru.
Desh Gaurav and Saberri - Decent
After the episode, I knew that from the girls, Amrita would be the one to leave.
But I wanted all three boys to stay and I knew that couldn't happen. So I was hoping that Junaid and Musharrat would be the ones staying because they sang better than Desh Gaurav.
Shree, how much do you think that Star Voice of India will take away from this show's viewership?
Deeps, I haven't watched the show so wouldn't be able to comment on the viewership.
In terms of viewership, at least , in between II3 and SRGMP, I think its II3 that steals the viewership. I think they have the youthfulness to the show, ofcourse the downside is irritating Annu Malek. SRGMP has a better line up of singers but unfortunately that's not enough to attract the viewers. Now the channel trying all the drama they can to get more TRP ratings. I hope the VOI show is trying to put in singing as well as enough masala to make the show watchable or else it will turn like another Fame-X
