Malakar mystery deepens: Can’t sing, but is on song

The subject of national attention in the US is Sanjaya Malakar, a 17-year old Indian-American kid who seems to have riled and roused the country with his performance in Fox’s hit show American Idol. On Wednesday, Malakar survived yet another round on the popular show that was whittled down to nine contestants (from millions who audition for it) amid national indignation and celebration, depending on which camp you belong to.

For more:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/World/The_United_States/Malakar_mystery_deepens_Cant_sing_but_is_on_song/articleshow/1830281.cms

Indian Idol auditions now in Dubai

INDIAN IDOL, the popular adaptation of the Pop Idol format took India by storm in its very first season and followed that with an equally popular season 2. While Indian Idol served as the ultimate platform for budding singers from India, to realise their dreams the…

show went on to become the most entertaining and involving show to hit Indian television. Sony Entertainment Television now announces the launch of the third series of this phenomenon, with an even bigger bang!

In its third series Indian Idol will cross all boundaries and bring to the viewers the best singing talent. Indian Idol will hold the first ever international auditions in Dubai. The lines will be open for UAE starting from March 19 to April 4, 2007. Auditions will take place on April 6 and 7.To make participation universal and allow for easy registration Sony Entertainment Television has set up an exclusive SMS gateway. Budding aspirants between the age of 16-30 can call to register for a place in any of the audition centres. The number for registration: SMS IDOL to 3536  Terms & Conditions: valid only for Non Resident Indians (NRIs)Indian Idol is a made-for-television phenomenon that combines drama and reality with music, humour, thrill and glamour. The last two seasons of the show experienced a collage of emotions, raising levels of viewer frenzy and excitement coupled with the contestants’ tears and joys, heartbreak and jubilation, learnings and achievements. This year too, Indian Idol will give the viewers in India & UAE the opportunity to chase their dreams and the power to make one talented aspirant covet the ultimate title. In addition to a recording contract with Sony BMG, the Indian Idol will be awarded a contract with Sony Entertainment Television, India worth Rupees one crore. Highlighting the essence of this worldwide phenomenon, geared to hit television screens once more, Albert Almeida, Executive Vice President & Business Head, Sony Entertainment Television, said, ‘We are proud to open this platform for participation to talented singers in UAE in the third series of Indian Idol. As witnessed in the last two seasons of Indian Idol the third season too promises to take viewer engagement and interactivity to even greater heights while catapulting the Indian Idol into ultimate stardom. We look forward to a great response from UAE and offer our viewers distinctive and breakthrough entertainment.’The new series will witness two new judges; Alisha Chinai — better known as the ‘Kajra Re’ girl, and playback singer Udit Narayan. Anu Malik continues in his role as judge this season too. The new season of Indian Idol also presents a new anchor — actor Hussain Khuwajirwala.

Source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/CityHome.asp?xfile=data/citytimes/2007/March/citytimes_March209.xml§ion=citytimes&col= 

Jolly Das in final 13 of Indian Idol 3

Remember Jolly Das who for health reasons could not continue (due to chicken pox) in Second Season of Indian Idol. It is learnt that along with 12 shortlisted participants Jolly Das would be the 13th to compete in this season. All the best Jolly.

My struggle has found a direction Sandeep Acharya

Sandeep Acharya who won a recent talent hunt believes that chances of his making it have now risen drastically. “Thanks to the win, my struggle has found a direction. I hope that when I meet music directors now, they recognise me.

For more:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City_Supplements/Ahmedabad_Times/Ones_got_to_show_the_talent/articleshow/1780624.cms

I was going to be Famous : Karunya Runner Up Indian Idol 2

Why is it that so many engineers leave the B. E. behind? “For me, the dream was always clear. I was going to be famous,” says singer Karunya, adding, “I knew that since I was three. But I didn’t know how I’d get there. So I wrote lyrics, I composed music, I learned Kuchipudi and the piano, and I sang. When I took up engineering, I knew it wouldn’t be a career. Yet it was important to do it. To satisfy my intellectual pursuit and my inclination for the sciences.” This electronics engineer can tell you, “engineering isn’t all diodes and chips, it makes you wiser somehow.”

For more:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/City_Supplements/Hyderabad_Times/I_am_what_I_am/articleshow/1780693.cms

Sanjaya Powers On … Hunger Strike Still On … American Idol Update

Looks like Ms J is resolute and in her 9th day of fasting. And so is Sanjaya.  I have had a chance to see the delayed telecast of the gala round of American Idol this evening. Definitely agree with Simons comments on Sanjaya … that the crowds are loving him and whatever he says or does will not mean anything … This week did not see any new conspiracy theories coming up as to why Sanjaya will continue to stay … Once the eliminations are over and IF Sanjaya continues … it will be interesting to see what other theories come into picture … Ms. J … I shall pray for you … And one good advice … do a fast for some other noble deed … this aint good enough …

Indian Idol Auditions at Asian Lifestyle Show

For the first time open auditions are being held for Indian Idol selection at the Asian Lifestyle Show at Birmingham on 30th, 31st March and 1st April. Initial shortlist will be 25 out of which 2 participants will get to travel to India. For details please contact Kiran Patel on +44 208 978 3683 or on kiran_patel@spe.sony.com

Find the Sony booth at the Asian Lifestyle Show and unleash your potential.

Other Information:
Venue: The NEC, Birmingham
Tel: +44 (0) 121 780 4141
Venue Post Code: B40 1NT

How to get there:

By Road:
Birmingham is at the hub of the UK motorway network, enabling visitors to travel directly from the M6, M1, M40 and M42. The NEC has its own on-site car parks.

By Rail:
The NEC is served by Birmingham International Station and London is about 90 minutes away.

By Air:
More than 20 International airlines serve Birmingham International Airport, which is conveniently situated a few minutes away from the NEC. The venue is also easily accessible from London Gatwick, London Heathrow and all other regional Airports.

For all those who missed SMS Registration … AIRTEL is your saviour

Good News !!! There is still hope for the hopefuls … Airtel has teamed up with Sony once again to give their customers an opportunity to participate in this season of talent hunt. The lines are open from 23rd March to 29th March and the registrations will be screened by by Sony and the randomly selected entries will be called to Mumbai for auditions on 4th April. To register call 646 from Airtel mobile or call 1280 from Airtel fixed line / landline, say IDOL and go through the registration process. At the end of this you will be given a registration number. All the best.

Registration Lines Closed for Indian Idol 3 Auditions

March 21st was the last day for people to register for Mumbai auditions of Indian Idol 3. If you have registered already, send an SMS to 2525 with the text – IREG <Reg No> and find if you are lucky.

Precasting days for Kolkata care 24th, 25th and 26th March and the judges days are 27th and 28th March. The scene then will shift to the last audition location Mumbai where the pre casting days are 31st March, 1st and 2nd April and the judges days are 3rd and 4th April.

All the best for all those who have qualified to attend these auditions. Please share with us your experiences if you happen be there and here as well

Sanjaya Malakar stays in Top 10 of American Idol

Inspite of the odds stacked againt him, Sanjaya managed to stay in Top 10 after the last emilimation in which other fellow contestant Stephanie Edwards was eliminated. Looks like the one of the MySpace users “J” is going to shed a few more pounds waiting for his exit next week since she vowed to go on hunger strike until Sanjaya is voted out. Courtesy votefortheworst.com and media hype surroung his capability Sanjaya sure managed to rake in good TRPs for the show. Its funny to see some of the theories surrounding Indian call centers working extra time to vote for Sanjaya. Hail the girl who cried her heart out during his last perfromance ensuring enough votes from the teenagers. Now Sanjaya gets to tour and it will be interesting to watch his performance. Fingers crossed. And Simon … you might be 10 steps away from quitting the show. Any rethinking?!