The Telugu community in the UAE, which had just to contend with watching reality shows on vernacular TV channels, got a chance to be part of one such event with Aata-Paata, a song and dance reality show held at Sharjah Indian Association on September 19.
Telugu is the official language of the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
The colourful show had glitz and glamour on a scale that’s witnessed in Indian reality shows. South Indian actress Indraja was the celebrity guest on the panel of judges.
The competition had attracted more than 100 contestants with auditions held last week in Dubai. Five finalists in two age groups (under 15 and 16 and above) were selected for both song and dance competitions.
The show, which will be telecast on Telugu TV channel ETV, began with eight-year-old Komali’s rendition of the popular song Chamka chamka chamka re, followed by Ragaranjita’s Enta haai ee reyi, Soujanya’s Merisindi megham (Telugu version of Barso re megha megha from Aishwarya Rai-starrer, the Hindi film Guru), Indira’s Aligina velane choodaali, a classical song from Gundamma Katha, Raagamayuri’s Dobuchuladevura Gopala and Sruti’s Repalle edajallina mohana murali.
Jayanarasimha, the only male competitor in the singing contest, regaled the audience and judges with Danchave menatha kootura.
A mix of solo and group dances electrified the atmosphere. The panel of judges comprised noted singer and music director Parthasarathy, dance master Raghu, dancer and choreographer Praveena and actress Indraja. They observed that the participants have the talent but need to be groomed and suggested taking professional help for Aata-Paata 2.
Popular TV anchor Mridula compered the show.
Sailaja and Arza Prasad, organisers of Kalanjali, a UAE-based cultural organisation, said Aata-Paata would be an annual event and hoped more participation from the Telugu community from all the seven emirates. They also plan to take the event to other Gulf states in the years to come.
Winners in singing competition:
Juniors
1 Komali
2 Shruti
Seniors
1 Ragaranjita
3 Jayanarasimha
3 Ragamayuri
Winners in dance competition:
Juniors
1 Shravani
2 Harshita
3 Sparsha
Seniors
1 Surya Arza
2 Nayani
3 Chaminda
