Delhi’s Golden Voice contender chosen

A common sight that greets you nowadays whenever you switch on your television is that of a person singing his/her heart out in front of a live audience and a panel of judges in order to get a first class ticket to fame. Singing reality shows have become the norm of our times so much so that it has been ingrained into our very psyche to accept the fact that these shows do act as a launching pad for a common person to become a singing superstar.

The Golden Voice organised by a popular radio station, however, has put a twist on this concept by becoming the first singing reality show to be broadcast straight from the radio. A truly innovative concept that puts an interesting spin to the otherwise stagnant concept of reality shows, this show focuses on the basic aspect of music- the auditory one. This provides the audience with the opportunity to actually listen to the voice of a particular participant without getting distracted by the overall showmanship that attaches itself to other reality shows. The participants have nothing but their own voices to rely on to make it through.

Currently in its third season, The Golden Voice promises to be much bigger this time around with the competition getting an international flair for the first time with singers from USA, Canada, UAE, Pakistan and Bangladesh participating, along with their Indian counterparts to punch their big ticket into Bollywood. The grand finale winner, apart from winning the Golden Voice title, will also get to debut in Bollywood as a playback singer under the tutelage of singer Shankar Mahadevan. 

With last year’s winner Sayani Palit fulfilling her dream to sing in this year’s Imran-Kangana <g data-gr-id="80" style="display: inline; color: inherit !important; font-size: inherit !important; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAACCAYAAADLlPadAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAK0lEQVRYhe3OMQEAIAwDsA6DHPh/ZoTJ2JMoSPW7PwAAAMCqsx0AAAAAkgHerQKHq3BtYQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==), url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAACCAYAAACZgbYnAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAEklEQVQImWP4vGvnfyYGBgYGABl4A2hm/SKhAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); background-size: 0px 2px, 100% 2px; background-position: 200% 100%, 0px 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat;">starrer</g> Katti Batti, the show has delivered on its promise, resulting in the <g data-gr-id="81" style="display: inline; color: inherit !important; font-size: inherit !important; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAACCAYAAADLlPadAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAK0lEQVRYhe3OMQEAIAwDsA6DHPh/ZoTJ2JMoSPW7PwAAAMCqsx0AAAAAkgHerQKHq3BtYQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==), url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAACCAYAAACZgbYnAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAEklEQVQImWP4vGvnfyYGBgYGABl4A2hm/SKhAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); background-size: 0px 2px, 100% 2px; background-position: 200% 100%, 0px 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat;">craze</g> to participate in this year’s edition to increase ten folds. This year’s finalists were selected from different cities of India with the respective cities each having a <g data-gr-id="82" style="display: inline; color: inherit !important; font-size: inherit !important; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAACCAYAAADLlPadAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAK0lEQVRYhe3OMQEAIAwDsA6DHPh/ZoTJ2JMoSPW7PwAAAMCqsx0AAAAAkgHerQKHq3BtYQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==), url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAACCAYAAACZgbYnAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAEklEQVQImWP4vGvnfyYGBgYGABl4A2hm/SKhAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); background-size: 0px 2px, 100% 2px; background-position: 200% 100%, 0px 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat;">finale</g> round in order to choose its contender who will represent the city against the finalists of other cities. The <g data-gr-id="83" style="display: inline; color: inherit !important; font-size: inherit !important; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAACCAYAAADLlPadAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAK0lEQVRYhe3OMQEAIAwDsA6DHPh/ZoTJ2JMoSPW7PwAAAMCqsx0AAAAAkgHerQKHq3BtYQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==), url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAACCAYAAACZgbYnAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAEklEQVQImWP4vGvnfyYGBgYGABl4A2hm/SKhAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); background-size: 0px 2px, 100% 2px; background-position: 200% 100%, 0px 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat;">finale</g> rounds were held all over India on Thursday as well as Friday.

The Mumbai finalist <g data-gr-id="53" style="display: inline; color: inherit !important; font-size: inherit !important; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAACCAYAAADLlPadAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAK0lEQVRYhe3OMQEAIAwDsA6DHPh/ZoTJ2JMoSPW7PwAAAMCqsx0AAAAAkgHerQKHq3BtYQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==), url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAACCAYAAACZgbYnAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAEklEQVQImWP4vGvnfyYGBgYGABl4A2hm/SKhAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); background-size: 0px 2px, 100% 2px; background-position: 200% 100%, 0px 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat;">Bhashwati</g> Chakravorty said, “I am extremely happy to have won the city <g data-gr-id="54" style="display: inline; color: inherit !important; font-size: inherit !important; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAACCAYAAADLlPadAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAK0lEQVRYhe3OMQEAIAwDsA6DHPh/ZoTJ2JMoSPW7PwAAAMCqsx0AAAAAkgHerQKHq3BtYQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==), url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAACCAYAAACZgbYnAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAEklEQVQImWP4vGvnfyYGBgYGABl4A2hm/SKhAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); background-size: 0px 2px, 100% 2px; background-position: 200% 100%, 0px 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat;">finale</g> round and I will now be representing Mumbai on a national platform. The competition has been tough so far with an array of talented and versatile singers showcasing their talent. My win in the city finale has reminded me that I need to work harder as the competition will now get much tougher. 

A delighted Sunetra Banerjee, winner of the city <g data-gr-id="55" style="display: inline; color: inherit !important; font-size: inherit !important; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAACCAYAAADLlPadAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAK0lEQVRYhe3OMQEAIAwDsA6DHPh/ZoTJ2JMoSPW7PwAAAMCqsx0AAAAAkgHerQKHq3BtYQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==), url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAACCAYAAACZgbYnAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAEklEQVQImWP4vGvnfyYGBgYGABl4A2hm/SKhAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); background-size: 0px 2px, 100% 2px; background-position: 200% 100%, 0px 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat;">finale</g> round, Kolkata stated, “This is like a dream come true for me, although it’s only half a dream. I hope to win the title of the Golden Voice Season 3, but I know it is not going to be easy so I am determined to give it my best and see where it takes me.”

The Delhi finale was held on Friday with Alankar <g data-gr-id="58" style="display: inline; color: inherit !important; font-size: inherit !important; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAACCAYAAADLlPadAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAK0lEQVRYhe3OMQEAIAwDsA6DHPh/ZoTJ2JMoSPW7PwAAAMCqsx0AAAAAkgHerQKHq3BtYQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==), url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAACCAYAAACZgbYnAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAEklEQVQImWP4vGvnfyYGBgYGABl4A2hm/SKhAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); background-size: 0px 2px, 100% 2px; background-position: 200% 100%, 0px 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat;">Mahtolia</g> emerging as the winner. He will now have to compete with 11 other challengers for the crown of the Golden Voice. An ecstatic Alankar stated, “I feel great after winning this competition and feel proud to represent Delhi. I had been trying very hard for the last three years and had faced numerous hurdles in getting here and after that, to finally win the whole thing is a dream come true for me.”

The event witnessed an array of singers showcasing their singing talent in front of Kamal Khan, the winner of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar and the singer of Ishq Sufiaana from The Dirty Picture, who was the judge. On asked how he chose the winner, the singer stated that he looked for rhythm, tone, selection of songs as well as the overall impact the voice of the contestant had on the crowd, adding that he found all that in Alankar, hence the decision. “This is a great platform for singers all over the country to really prove their mettle. I hope this leads to the winner of the competition living out his/her dream” he added.

The star-studded event also witnessed the live performance of the Indo-Pak Sufi band Raeth of Bhula Do fame. FrontmanWajhi Farooqi talked about life after the Bhula Do success and his inspirations namely Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Freddy Mercury and Kishore Kumar. He also talked about making his debut in Bollywood with the song Lamha Tera Mera from the 2013 film Zanjeer which he described as ‘an amazing new experience’. About <g data-gr-id="74" style="display: inline; color: inherit !important; font-size: inherit !important; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAACCAYAAADLlPadAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAK0lEQVRYhe3OMQEAIAwDsA6DHPh/ZoTJ2JMoSPW7PwAAAMCqsx0AAAAAkgHerQKHq3BtYQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==), url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAACCAYAAACZgbYnAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAEklEQVQImWP4vGvnfyYGBgYGABl4A2hm/SKhAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); background-size: 0px 2px, 100% 2px; background-position: 200% 100%, 0px 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat;">Raeth’s</g> upcoming projects he remained mostly mum just stating, “Well, there is the Hamari <g data-gr-id="75" style="display: inline; color: inherit !important; font-size: inherit !important; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAA+gAAAACCAYAAADLlPadAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAK0lEQVRYhe3OMQEAIAwDsA6DHPh/ZoTJ2JMoSPW7PwAAAMCqsx0AAAAAkgHerQKHq3BtYQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==), url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAACCAYAAACZgbYnAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAAEklEQVQImWP4vGvnfyYGBgYGABl4A2hm/SKhAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); background-size: 0px 2px, 100% 2px; background-position: 200% 100%, 0px 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat;">Adhuri</g> Kahani play, the music of which we are collaborating with Tarun Sharma that will be staged in both India and Pakistan. There are also two Bollywood movies we are working on, the names of which I can’t disclose right now.” 

The radio network will now go ahead with 12 finalists who will attend workshops and training sessions in Mumbai to display their singing talent before singing sensation Shankar Mahadevan.