Darjeeling: Rising Star, billed the biggest talent hunt in the
Darjeeling hills, is in its last leg with celebrities from Nepal
selecting finalists after Bollywood celebrities extended their support
to the contest.
Adrian Pradhan, a household name in Nepali music and Kaviraj
Ghataraj, a well-known choreographer from Nepal's film industry, judged
the semi-finals that took place in Darjeeling on Saturday and Sunday.
The event, which carries a total prize amount of Rs 22.44
lakh, is being organised by Darjeeling police as part of their
initiative to strengthen bonds with citizens.
Siddharth Dorji, deputy superintendent of police (Darjeeling
town), said: "Ten finalists in each of the four categories have been
selected for the finals that will be held on May 12 and 13 in
Darjeeling. Adrian Pradhan and Kaviraj Ghataraj were celebrity judges
during the semi-final round." The four categories include senior and
junior sections in both singing and dance. Nearly 5,000 contestants have
signed up.
Pradhan lauded the initiative. "This is a great platform for budding
talents. We did not have it in our days. Darjeeling has always had
talents. However, a proper environment is needed for talents to foster,"
Pradhan said during an interaction with the media on the sidelines of
the semi-finals over the weekend.
Pradhan, from Kalimpong but currently based in Kathmandu,
stressed the need for peace in the hills and recalled that he and some
other artistes had to cancel a programme in Darjeeling last year because
of unrest caused by the statehood movement.
"It is said I along with my friends and member of Parikarma
group (one of India's most famous rock and roll bands) were forced to
cancel our event (in Kalimpong). Peace is needed in the region," Pradhan
said.
One of the members of Parikarma group is Sonam Sherpa, who is
also from Kalimpong, but sources maintain that the event had to be
cancelled because of pressure from the then political dispensation of
the hills.
Dorji said that plans are afoot to hold the finals at
Chowrasta. "On May 12, the finals for the junior categories will be held
followed by the finals for the seniors the next day. Our plan is to
organise the finals at Chowrasta provided the weather holds up or else
we will hold it at Capitol Hall," said Dorji.
The contest is being supported by Bollywood big names like
John Abraham, singer Mohit Chauhan, TV star Karanvir Bohra, hairstylist
Aalim Hakim and Yogeshwor Amatya, a singer from Kathmandu, among several
others.
The Telegraph