This week, Indian Idol reveled in the presence of the queen of folk songs, Ila Arun. To commemorate her presence, this week’s theme was folk songs. And what a gala it was! This was, perhaps, one of the most enjoyable shows in the Gala round so far. I’m just going to cut straight to the chase.
My favorite contestant, Mr. One-Man-Masti-Ki-Paathshaala kicked off the show. I really do want to take him home. He’s so adorable! Mini ain’t kidding when she calls him India’s Sweetheart. He really is!
Emon Chatterjee – Teri Deewani
Emon started the show with a almost-perfect rendition of Kailash Kher’s Teri Deewani. Emon seems to have found his center again, meaning that for a few weeks, he seemed to wane from who he really was. He seemed to lose focus. That focus is what kept him so successful in the Piano Rounds. I’m glad he has this focus back because he has once again began to give consistently fabulous performances.
He sang this song with a lot of skill and a great deal of concentration. So maybe the judges were right, he needed a little more feeling - but, whatever. In my opinion, it was one of the best performances of the night. The audience thought so too because they kept chanting “Once more…”
Javed Akhtar: I agree with Ilaji - he needed a little more feel and passion. But as long as technicality is concerned, he sang well.
Ilaji: "This is the first time I’m seeing you and you look like a young Sonu Nigam! You were technically perfect but you were missing the passion that this song requires."
Udit Narayan: "You’ve sang so well that the public has responded."
Alisha Chinai: "I’ve run out of words to praise this boy. Your voice is out of this world."
Anu Malik: "I disagree with Ilaji. For me, my playback singer is born. You’ve sang every type of song and for me, this is complete singing."
Deepa’s Rating: 10/10
Prashant Tamang– Rind Posh Maal
This song is on repeat on my iPod so you can bet that I was listening carefully. After Prashant’s last several performances, I was waiting for one screw-up so I could write him off as not being Idol material. The end result was good and bad. Now here’s the thing—this song suits Prashant well. He picked the proper song. Had he been trained in classical song, he would have fulfilled this song better than Karunya from last year. However, his imperfections were really evident here and he did go out of tune in several noticeable places.
But overall, he did well. I would, however, like to see him go soon. The other contestants are much better than him.
Javedsaab: "You sang well. Until now, only the people for Darjeeling and Calcutta have been saving you. This time, all of India will save you."
Ilaji: She made a beautiful reference to Darjeeling tea and Kashmir and mangoes which is way too hard to put into English, but she liked the performance.
Uditji: "For the last two performances, I kept thinking that Prashant is done. But today, you’re back in mood (whatever that means!)"
Alisha: "Your voice was beautiful. You’re back!"
Anuji: "The way the judges have praised you, I don’t agree with it. (He then walked on to the stage). The way you’ve sang today…you sang so well! I had to get out of my seat and come here!"
Deepa’s Rating: 7/10
Deepali – Nimbooda
Okay, whew. I’ve been dreading this for a while. Deepali might seriously be the one to go tomorrow, and here’s why. First of all, it was the wrong song choice. Because the theme is folk songs, she could have picked so many beautiful ones but she chose this one. Not good! Second, she sang it well, but she was lacking the energy of this song. Sure, she danced a bit but it wasn’t enough. She could have taken this song to a whole new level but she didn’t take advantage of this opportunity. I think this is one of her weakest performances. And she’s one of my favorite contestants so it makes me sad to say this! Sorry!
Javedsaab: "Anuji’s record is fool-proof. Whoever he yells at always sings well."
Ilaji: "This is a Rajasthani song. You kept your breathing controlled while still maintaining the sweetness of this song."
Uditji: "You set the stage on fire."
Alisha: "You look like a princess. I can see you have your confidence back."
Anuji: "The way you danced, moved, and kept your breath control, I have never seen that in any of the seasons. When you did the dance step, I heard Alisha say “Oh my God” because you danced, sang in tune, and sang well. Outstanding singing and you’re back with bang!"
Deepa’s Rating: 6/10
Abhishek Kumar – Rang De Basanti
Okay, I don’t even wanna talk about this. Abhishek should know his own limitations. "Rang De Basanti"? Not his cup of tea. What a waste of a performance!
Javedsaab: "If you had sung this song on a higher scale, it would have been better. It seemed restricted when you sang in this key."
Ilaji: "I really liked your liveliness. You’re not Punjabi but you captured the feel of the song and danced well. I appreciate that."
Uditji: "I thought that you should have sung on a higher scale as well."
Alisha: "Agreed with Javedsaab. I think you sang well and your body language is good, but you lacked the complete abandon with which you have to sing this song."
Anuji: "We are talking about scale, but no matter what scale you sing in, you have to be in sur. You weren’t. I’m not happy."
Deepa’s Rating: 4/10
Puja Chatterjee – Ni Main Samajh Gayi
For me, Puja and Emon are neck and neck in terms of talent and voice. This was the other awesome performance of the night (after Emon’s). Puja sang the song with such depth and skill that she really cemented the fact that she has what it takes to be where she is now. I also think that with this song, she has an edge over Deepali, and a definite advantage over Ankita. It was an amazing performance!
Javedsaab: "I don’t believe in superstition, but Puja, “Aaj tu apni nazar utaarle.” "
Ilaji: "Puja, I’d like to say that you reminded me of Reshma, with the maturity and depth in your voice."
Uditji: "At least Anuji is praising him, no matter how hard it is for him."
Alisha: Standing ovation.
Anuji: "In my career, I have never seen a singer who has made me cry. You made me cry today. I already said that Emon is playback singer material. Now I’m saying that you are too. You sang so well. You have such a unique voice that you made me cry. I’m so proud to have you here. It was effortless."
Deepa’s Rating: 10/10
Amit Paul – Omkara
You can forgive a person once for forgetting the lyrics, but you can’t do it repeatedly. However, this goof-up was definitely not as bad as his first one and he did a pretty decent job of covering it up. Nevertheless, it was still noticeable and I was not impressed. He could have just covered it and picked up the rest of the song, but he got distracted and the rest of his song suffered. Overall, he did a decent job, but definitely not his best. It is, however, probably enough to keep him in the game.
Javedsaab: "I didn’t notice that he forgot his lines. I was lost in his voice. No matter what anyone says, you have a magical voice."
Ilaji: "When Javedsaab loves someone, he doesn’t see their faults. So for a writer to overlook the fact that you forgot the lyrics must mean that he really likes you. I really like your voice, which I had heard in last week’s episode. You really are the find of Indian Idol. But today I felt that you are more suited to soft songs and need to work more on folk songs."
Uditji: "I don’t agree with Javedsaab or Anuji. I agree with Ilaji. Amit, you picked the wrong song and you were worried about singing it wrongly." (Anuji here didn’t agree, of course)
Alisha: "Anuji is totally blinded. He has not given the totally mind-blowing performance for folk singing."
Anuji: "I don’t know why I’m not agreeing with Ilaji today. I think that he shouldn’t be categorized. To me you’re a complete singer and the find of Indian Idol." (Then he proceeded to argue with Ilaji. What a cocky *!)
Deepa’s Rating: 7.5/10
Ankita Mishra – Main Aayi Hu UP Bihar Lootne
Ankita’s song selection was spot on considering that Ila Arun was the guest star. She was her usual consistent self, with so-so singing and an awesome performance. We all know that she does something different every time. She may not be playback material, but I’ll bet people are lining up to sign her for live shows and stuff. She did go off-tune in several places. In some, she was too sharp, in others she was too flat. But since when have we started watching Ankita for her singing, anyway?
Javedsaab: "This is a song that requires nautanki, which was missing. But you were really good today."
Ilaji: "I really liked you. When I watched your performance and heard you sing, you did it well." (The rest was unintelligible for me, for some reason. But I’m sure she was saying something valuable).
Uditji: "Ankita has performed well. Singing was okay."
Alisha: "All your mistakes are forgiven. It was mindblowing."
Anuji: "I would request you to focus more on sur, but for me, again today, you were outstanding."
Deepa’s Rating: 7/10
Meiyang Chang – Rut Aa Gayee Re
This was a solid performance. In the last few weeks, Chang has been slipping. With this performance, he finally gave everyone a reason to breathe a sigh of relief. He was really good!
Javedsaab: "He reminded me of Sachin Tendulkar, who slipped in the middle but came back with a century."
Ilaji: "First, I would like to say that you look very handsome. Second, you’ve performed so well. Hat's off to you!"
Uditji: " Today, Chang sang so well that I’m wondering if he won’t become Indian Idol."
Alisha: "You are such a natural. You rocked today. His voice is the most unusual and original voice."
Anuji: "I’m not surprised, actually. I like to stick my neck out for people I love, and respect, and admire. Chang, you proved me right. I knew you would sing well and you did!"
Deepa’s Rating: 8.5/10
So there you have it, folks. This week, my bottom four would be Abhishek, Prashant, Deepali, and Ankita. My prediction for elimination: Abhishek or Deepali. Sprout’s elimination prediction: Abhishek.
Now for my shameless plug: Keep your fingers crossed for Deepali! Send her your votes!
When did Emon go "off sur at high pitch"....the only time I can remotely recall was probably in the audition...but that, too, after a heat stroke and all!!
Hello,
I am an Australian and my name is Sara Miller. Since I learnt hindi 3 years back I have been following hindi channels and I must say that Indian Idol program is far superior to the other musical programs like " Sa Re Ga Ma" & "Voice Of India". What is the reason for it? Is it the quality of judges?
My observation is also backed by the responses you get on your coverage of India Idol - much higher than Sa Re Ga Ma.
Being a foreigner I would like to understand views why India Idol has more fan following but the number of SMS votes are much higher for Sa Re Ga Ma (I am assuming that the compere tells the right number of votes in the programs and not inflate the figures than they actually are in Sa Re Ga Ma).
Guest said: Hello,
I am an Australian and my name is Sara Miller. Since I learnt hindi 3 years back I have been following hindi channels and I must say that Indian Idol program is far superior to the other musical programs like " Sa Re Ga Ma" & "Voice Of India". What is the reason for it? Is it the quality of judges?
My observation is also backed by the responses you get on your coverage of India Idol - much higher than Sa Re Ga Ma.
Being a foreigner I would like to understand views why India Idol has more fan following but the number of SMS votes are much higher for Sa Re Ga Ma (I am assuming that the compere tells the right number of votes in the programs and not inflate the figures than they actually are in Sa Re Ga Ma).
Thank you.
Hi sara...I have a doubt. Cause both the shows have stated that they get 15 lakh + votes. Indian idol has more fans because it is more fun and young...Whereas SRGMP concentrates mainly on singing and some very egoistic judges with a very bad script writer and pretty boring direction......
I had admired Deepa's review; But this particular review even Deepa would admit was too boring and seemed like u were in a hurry to finish.. Deepa - We want u back and would love it if u and Sprout do the reveiw together..
And btw where is the results review??
I am afraid Sara Miller has got it wrong. If one considers quality of the contestants participating in the show, surely, Voice Of India is better than Indian Idol. It is true that the contestants of Indian Idol are younger but they lack the experience, quality and the perfection displayed by the contestants of Voice Of India.
Besides, the advantage that VOI has over other talent hunts is that its top 12 have been picked by the judges on the basis of merit alone and is not influenced by external factors such as regionalism and bias.
The song performed by Ila Arun at the end of the show was called "Vote for Ghaghra" from the album of the same name. The album is quite old but did well when it was released. When is she realesing a new album? Hopefully soon.
