Indian Idol: Prashant Tamang

Suddenly I woke up at midnight when some Nepalis set off some fireworks wildly shouting fiery words filling the midnight sky of Kathmandu with noises. It was the midnight of September 23, 2007 when the result of the grand finale of the Indian Idol competition held in Mumbai, India made an Indian of Nepalese origin, Prashant Tamang the winner of the Indian Idol title; Nepalese fans went wild with delight. Obviously, Nepalese fans of Prashant Tamang were eagerly watching the Indian Sony TV channel to see who would be the Indian Idol.

Prashant Tamang of Darjeeling, and Ameet Paul of Meghalaya, India were the finalists. The two contestants were neck and neck with each other. They were the finest singers among the contestants. The winner receives Rs 10 million in cash, a car and a trophy, in addition a contract for a job with the Sony TV channel. It would be a fortune for anybody.

The final decision on who will be the Indian Idol lies on the votes of the fans. Nepalis living in Nepal, India and elsewhere in the world united behind Prashant Tamang. Millions of Nepalis and Indians voted for Prashant Tamang making him the first Indian Idol of Nepalese origin. It was a great pride for all Nepalis living elsewhere in the world.

At midnight of September 23, 2007, not only the Mumbai audience watching the Indian Idol was in great emotion but also all the fans of both Prashant and Ameet were in tense mood until the winner was declared.

The anchor invited family members of both Prashant and Ameet to the stage and requested them to stand by them. They were in high emotion too. They have more fear of their son losing the title than high hope for winning it.

Standing between the two contestants and holding their hands, John Abraham asked them to move a few steps forward in the stage. Then, he raised the hand of Prashant indicating he was the winner. All the fans of Prashant went wild in celebration.

Prashant and Ameet repeatedly hugged each other in emotion after the declaration of the result. They had repeatedly said that no matter what the result would be and in whose favor it would be both of them would be happy. The final sentiment of both the contestants after the result proved it true.

On September 29, 2007, Prashant Tamang came to Nepal and received the blessing of the Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala who honored him decorating his head with a special Nepalese cap embedded with a cross of two khukuris – a symbol of Gorkhali,

Prashant then gave a short concert at Jawalakhel. His fans gathered in the perennial rains that have been pouring down in Nepal for a few days. They braved the bad weather and the muddy ground to listen to him.

(SBR)