Saturday, January 22, 2011

Why you should watch Super Singers

Why you should watch Super Singers

The atmosphere is electric as season 3 of Vijay TV's Airtel Super Singers kicked off with its first episode of the year.

Already one of the most popular shows on the Tamil channel, this season has even more to offer. The judges of this season are veteran singers Unnikrishnan, Sujatha and Srinivas, all well-versed in both film and classical singing.

The competition has kicked off with thousands of youngsters singing various genres of music. Twenty singers now face the biggest challenge in the competition.

The stage fairly shimmers with neon lights flickering over silver and chrome fittings. To the left of the viewers are the contestants, seated in what seem to be deep wells. To the right is the audience, while the judges are slam-bang in the middle. There's a sense of tense anticipation as compere Divya announces and introduces everyone. >

The first episode of the season is even more special for two reasons: singer Shailaja has taken Sujatha's place, temporarily. And when contestant Krishna kicks off the event with the beautiful Arabu Naade from Thottal Poo Malarum, you realise that this episode is a Yuvan Shankar Raja special as well. Every song during this episode is a Yuvan number, celebrating his first Live concert, again a Vijay TV endeavour.>

Despite the tension that grips contestants and audiences alike during the competition, the mood is celebratory as well. Quite a few of the singers join in, clapping enthusiastically as songs go on. >

One particular song that wins plenty of applause is Saicharan's performance of Venmegam Pennaaga Uruvaanadho, from Yaaradee Nee Mohini. To his credit, he really does give himself up to it, singing it with a vigour and richness that echoes among the neon-bright studio. When it's over, the judges are equally enthusiastic in their response. >

Shailaja enthuses over it, commenting that "It was very good," before pointing out a few tiny corrections. Srinivas quips, "This is a Hariharan [ Images ] song, isn't it? I knew it the moment you took it high." He gives a few tips about working on his "head-voice," but he too, is pleased with the performance.

Unnikrishnan is quite vocal as well, as he shares his reminisces of singing Nenjodu Kalandhidu, from Kadhal Kondein, and Or Aayiram Yaanai, from Nanda. The latter, especially was something of a new experience, he laughs, as he'd just come back from a classical concert and was immediately required to go at the song in high pitch. "I kept asking, Why on earth did you choose a song like this for me? And Yuvan said, You can do it. Please go on."

There's a bit of a flutter as contestant Sathya comes on to sing. Turns out she's one of two performers from abroad, Norway, to be very precise. The other is from Canada. This is something of a new development: for the first time, participants from outside India are part of the show. "I'm very happy to be here. It's an honour to perform in front of so many eminent personalities," Sathya says, in her slightly accented voice.

We snatch a few minutes with Unnikrishnan as he takes a break to ask what he think of the show and his own part in it. "I think it's great," he smiles in his usual, composed way; his voice very soft. "There's so much talent here, and the show obviously believe sin having a certain standard to maintain. That's a good thing."

So how does he feel when would-be singers sing his own songs, as part the contest, especially when they sometimes give it their own twist?

"I encourage it," he says calmly. "It's a nice feeling when someone chooses your song. I feel like a kind of role model and am proud of it. Listening to them give a different spin is nice too. It shows originality and that's very necessary."

The title winner of Airtel Super Singer Season 3 gets a 3-bedroom apartment worth Rs 40 lakh.

Content - Rediff

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Vijay in Koffee with Anu

Vijay’s Kaavalan has released and is said to be doing well in all centers. The latest and official news is that Vijay is appearing on the show Koffee with Anu to be aired on Vijay TV on 23rd January at 8 pm.

In the show Vijay reportedly gets candid about several things including his family, life as an actor and also his political ideas and entry. Koffee with Anu hosted by Anu Haasan is a popular show on Vijay TV and several high profile actors and actresses have appeared in it and have opened up about their professional and personal life, likes and dislikes, secrets and fears and much more.

The show, which is now into the third season, has a new and interesting format that captures the audiences’ attention. Fans are hoping for some fun and clear answers on the show from Vijay.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Yuvan — Live in Concert, first view




Yuvan — Live in Concert, a report



After weeks of glitzy promotional events, special TV shows and interviews, the big day finally arrived. Vijay TV’s Yuvan — Live in Concert was here and the anticipation in the air was nothing less than infectious.

It was the evening just after the festive day of Pongal. Nearly 10,000 fans thronged YMCA, Nandanam, and for singing sensation Yuvan Shankar Raja it was to be a day he’d remember for the rest of his life. The huge stage turned out to be an architect’s masterpiece, decked up with psychedelic lights in scintillating reds and sparkling blues, the marvel of the performing space complete with colourful cylindrical pillars. Yuvan appeared on stage with larger-than-life sets adding to the stunning effects.

Dressed in a swanky grey and red designer suit, he was greeted with a roar of applause, accompanied by deafening cheers and whistling.

The singer started the show with the song ‘Neethane’ from ‘Sarvam’. He looked like he was on top of the world — a hero of sorts — emerging on stage much like the late ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson did in his shows.

A footage of Simbu and Ilayaraja was screened, as it was initially believed that they would not be able to make it. However, later in the evening, Yuvan was pleasantly surprised as the duo turned up and even went up on stage to greet him.

Many of Yuvan’s superhit songs were performed. Singers like Shreya Goshal, Vijay Yesudas, Shankar Mahadevan and Javed Ali also sang some hit numbers like ‘Ayyo ayyo’ from ‘Paruthiveran’, ‘Siragugal vandhadhu’ from ‘Sarvam’ and more.

The show also brought together the father and the son to perform another hit number from ‘Paruthiveeram’ — ‘Ariyadha vayasu’.

Hosted by RJ Shiva, the show saw some entertaining performances on stage with Yuvan dancing to his tunes. The mega event witnessed directors, music directors and actors coming together for Yuvan. The legendary family — Ilayaraja along with his sons - Karthik Raja, Yuvan and daughter Bavatharini — offered a unique musical treat to fans.

The fan frenzy hit a feverish high, when Yuvan, harnessed to a cable was swung around the open space shook hands with excited fans. Said Joshua, a member of the audience and an ardent fan, “It is Yuvan’s first concert. I have been waiting for it for days now. I love his voice and my Ipod playlist is filled only with his music.”

The highly rigid security, though aimed at safety, at times proved to be a hindrance, as even some part of the media, besides the eagerly awaiting fans, was left stranded despite having press cards. But all the confusion that took place outside of the gate was quickly forgotten once the show started, as it made the wait worthwhile and more.

Content Courtesy - ExpressBuzz

Monday, January 17, 2011

Yuvan rocks Chennai



Yuvan Shankar Raja's live show at the YMCA grounds in Chennai organized by Vijay TV, rocked big time.

There was an unprecedented turnout , and everything went off with clockwork precision.

Yuvan made a Michael Jackson like appearance on stage in gold stripes, raised hands , in a blaze of glory with fireworks and walked a ramp after descending from a high platform. The show had singers from Mumbai and Chennai, singing Yuvan's music.

Some of the singers included Tanvi Shah, Vijay Yesudas, Shankar Mahadeven, Shreya Ghosal, Haricharan, Jawad Ali, Rahul Nambiar, Karthik, Suvi and others. The event was compered by RJ turned hero Mirchi Shiva who had the audiences in splits.

Yuvan looked dapper in various costumes and seemed to be in high spirits all through the event as his friends from the industry came to wish him all the best.  Lingusamy, Na Muthukumar, Simbu, Gautham Menon, Ameer and many others were present on the occasion.

Gautham said:  "I am a huge fan of Yuvan and would love to work with him one day. Suriya and I would always listen to his songs during the making of Khaaka Khaaka. Even last year I loved his Irugai Pole song. I love the fact that he is doing a live show and connecting with his fans this way".

Jiiva said that the Marina beach would be the right place for Yuvan's concert, given the huge turnout. Ameer recalled his working days with Yuvan during Ram while Simbu sang Loose Penne and the latest hit from Vaanam along with Yuvan.

Another highlight was the family song sung by Karthik Raja, Bhavadharani, Venkat Prabhu and Premgi. Vishnuvardhan kicked off the proceedings while his brother Krishna danced to a song. Spotted in the crowd were Radhika, Vaibhav, Arvind Akash and many more celebs who seemed to be enjoying themselves.

-Sify
 
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