Sanjana Mohandoss, a Malayalam-speaking teenager living in Muscat, has released an album in Bhojpuri. A grade nine student from Indian School, Muscat, Sanjana has already carved a niche for herself by singing in different Indian languages.
Last year, for instance, she recorded a song for a Gujarati play staged in Muscat.
Training
Sanjana takes training in Carnatic music from Suresh Koniyoor. For Hindustani classical, she relies on Pakistani music teacher Khalid Anwar Jaan.
A trained classical dancer, Sanjana says: "I wanted to be versatile but wanted to focus on one discipline, so gave up my classical dancing passion to focus completely on my singing."
Launch pad
It was Habib Bin Abdulnabi Macki, vice-chairman of Olympic Council of Asia and Oman Olympic Committee, who launched Sanjana's first Bhojpuri album. "I am really impressed with her singing talent and wish her all the best," he said.
The album, titled Thirchi Nazariya, has Mohammad Irshad as its lyricist. It is being distributed by Vision Music. The launch
took place at the Indian Social Club, Muscat.
"India's pride [tennis player] Mahesh Bhupathi grew up in our courts, as did Manjari Baburajendran, the latest singing
sensation in Kerala. I am sure we will see Sanjana making waves," said Dr Satish Nambiar, the club's chairman.
Perfect diction
"Though Sanjana's mother tongue is Malayalam, her diction in Bhojpuri is perfect and that's not an easy task," said J.K.
Tripathi, Charge d'Affaires, Indian Embassy.
"2T-Series had released the album in India last month, which has evoked a good response," said Irshad. The second album is expected to hit the market by the end of 2007.
Did you know?
- Sanjana Mohandoss sings four solo numbers (including the title song, Thirchi Nazariya) in the album.
- Shailender Nigam, a popular Bhojpuri singer, has sung the remaining four songs with Smitha Singh joining in for a duet.
- The video album has been directed by Satish Verma.
