KOLKATA:
Sunday evening was the final of a
talent hunt with a difference. The show, modelled on Indian
Idol, tried to identify the “gurbani kirtan talent of the year”. At
Sant Kutiya Gurdwara, Bhowanipore, the 10 finalists went
head-to-head for the tuned-in ears of the judges, all of whom are
experts in devotional music. An audience poll was also conducted.
The event was organised by Sikh Heritage, a group of youths who
spread the message of Sikhism across the country. It was sponsored
by Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and Sant Kutiya Gurdwara
Committee, Calcutta. “The competition had three rounds, with only
the best in each round making it to the next. Unlike in other kirtan
competitions, the participants got to sing before a huge
audience.
The original forms of the kirtans were sung,”
stated Manvika Uberoi of Sikh Heritage. Over 175 singers took part
in the preliminary round, held at the Bharatiya Bhasha
Parishad auditorium, on Shakespeare Sarani. Over 130 of the
contestants were from the city. The outstation participants came
from Asansol, Ranigunj, Sambalpur, Durgapur and other towns. The
singers were divided into three groups, according to their age:
Group A for those up to 15, Group B for those between 15 and 19
years and Group C for singers 19 and above. After the preliminary
round, 32 contestants were shortlisted for the semi-finals, which
were held at Gurdwara Sant Kutiya on Friday and Saturday. Four of
the semifinalists were non-Sikhs — three Bengalis and another
singer from Bihar. The three Bengalis made it to the finals.
The winner from each group will get a cash prize
of Rs 10,000 and a chance to perform in and outside the city,
including at the Golden Temple. Singing kirtan at the Golden Temple
is considered a great honour. One of the three will become the
“gurbani kirtan talent of the year” in the city.
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