By Usha Wagle Gautam
Lalit Kumar Limbu was declared the winner of the Nonresident Nepalese Singing Idol 2015 competition at its grand finale held recently at Global Cinema Hall.
Amrit Kumbang Limbu, Madhu Lama and Ram Kumar Rai finished second, third and fourth, respectively.
As the winner, Limbu was awarded a cash prize of QR3,600 and a record deal. The first and second runners-up, Limbu and Lama, received QR1,800 and QR900 respectively, and free music training for six months. Rai, the third runner-up, got a cash prize of QR500.
Jointly organised by Rupandehi Social Service Initiative (RSSI) and Nonresident Nepalese Musical Family, the singing reality show was sponsored by Pigeon Engineering Project, South Asia Trading and Contracting, City Express Money Transfer and Basanta Films patron Ishwor Kafle, Makcsud Alam, Purna Nepali, Rajan Shrestha, and Parbin Gurung, among others. More than 70 singers competed in the competition that started on December 14 last year. The recent grand finale in June was attended by more than 600 music enthusiasts.
The finale was chaired by RSSI President Sanjay Rajak and started with a one-minute silence for those who lost their lives in the massive earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25.
Besides the contestants, the programme also featured performances by Doha-based artistes.
Singer Sandip Neupane, also a guest judge for the finale, performed his hit numbers. Nepalese Cultural Family members essayed a melancholic drama entailing the trauma and horrors of the recent disaster that hit Nepal. Nonresident Dancer 13 winner Yasoda Basnet performed on a thrilling number from the popular Nepalese movie Kali.
The 10 finalists sang two songs each in all categories: sentimental, comic and romantic songs.
Lalit, the winner, has been working as a mason at Pigeon Engineering Trading and Contracting Company since 2011. He said he heard about the contest from his manager. He said he hadn’t performed on any other stage in Doha before the competition. “I was one of the least-known singing figures in the Qatar-based Nepalese community when I entered the contest,” Lalit said after winning the title. He thanked the organisers, judges, audience members and his employer who believed and acknowledged his singing talents. He said the moment he was announced as the winner is the most valuable, precious and unforgettable moment of his life. Before he came to Qatar, he was a percussionist in a musical band in Nepal.
Sandip Neupane, judge, was so impressed with his performance that he described his voice as “shocking”.
Amrit, the first runner-up, has been a document assistant in Qatar since 2008. His family couldn’t afford his further education after he completed middle school, so he came to Qatar to support his family.
The second runner-up, Madhu Lama had won another singing competition very recently, and has already released four studio albums. A Nepalese Cultural Center (NCC) member, Lama says he owes much to NCC that helped him pursue his creative talents. Ram, the third runner-up, is a sales supervisor and regularly takes part in singing contests organised by the non-resident community. Living in Qatar since 2006, Rai expects to come up with his debut album this year.
The grand finale was judged by singers Devika K C, Sandip Neupane and Dinesh Limbu. The winning prizes were sponsored by NRNA-NCC President Maksud Alam and Purna Nepali of Parbat Youth Society. The fourth prize was sponsored by International Artists Society President MP Pokheral.
During the finale, the organisers also honoured the employees of 3CCC Company for their support for Nepalese earthquake victims. Company employees donated Nepali Rs11,248,120 to the Nepal Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. One of the employees, Nabin Ghimire said the 9,000 employees of the company donated a day’s salary each to collect the money.
Audience from various parts of the country came to watch the grand finale. Rohit Shrestha and Suman Bista praised Lalit for his talent. They both predicted that he will become the focal attraction of future programmes being organised by the Nepalese community.
According to the organisers, half of the profit made in the contest will be donated to orphaned and street children of Nepal through the Mission Educational Center. A fraction of the profit will also be channelled to the earthquake victims in Sindhupalchok, the most affected district near Kathmandu.
The grand finale was hosted by Khem Shrestha and Kalpana Gurung. Shakti Chhetri co-ordinated the programme.
THE WINNER: Lalit, the winner of the contest, being presented his his prize.
