American Idol to Indian Idol
Posted: July 21, 2007 Filed under: Videos 17 Comments »The only time I watch television is to view sports or watch news, so I am not into reality TV shows. However, this season I got into two different shows: American Idol and Indian Idol. The first show caught my attention because one of the contestants (Sanjaya Malakar) was making some buzz. Nepalese also have Malakar as a family name so I assumed him to be a Nepali, which he wasn’t. Anyways, after viewing couple of episodes I got addicted to the show and completed the entire season.
Now, a new name was making waves in Indian Idol: Prashant Tamang. He is definitely from Nepalese origin, dwelling in the beautiful hills of Darjeeling. It was a great respite to see that he really has some talents (much more than Sanjaya Malakar), as he was the reason that I got into that show. I was watching the clips of Indian Idol online when I saw one of his performances where he was depicting as Gurkha (Like Actor Pran did in one of the Bolywood movie). Gurkha in India is coined to a watchman unlike in Britain where Gurkha’s represent brave Victoria Cross winners. I was really sad with what he portrayed; I know majority of watchmen working in India are Nepalese but Indians have misconception of what Gurkha’s are really about. Some of my friends who did their college in India were derogatorily referred to as Gurkha (not a brave soldier but watchmen at their house). A close source to Prashant suggested that he was not inclined on doing that act but the Channel (Sony) pressed him. I don’t think Sony Channel intentionally asked him to perform that to harass Nepalese community voting for him, but it should be made clear to them that we are not proud of being labeled just as a watchman.
Coming back to musical aspect of the show, like I mentioned earlier Prashant really has some talents and I have to confess my bias towards him. But still, I don’t think he is the best among the remaining ten finalists. Though I would like him to win, I would also like to encourage all other finalist. May the best one win the Indian Idol III.
Isn’t it funny, a single name motivates you to watch the whole show and ultimately the whole season?
I am following Prashant through You Tube here. Would really like to watch in TV, but seems impossible here.
Good luck to Prashant !!
Basanta Ji,
I am also using You Tube or the official Indial Idol site to view the videos. Although if paid more, we can view Hindi channels in US.
After watching the movie “Lost in Translation“, I guess even if Japanese broadcast Indian Idol, it will be in Japanese language
Just imagine Prashant Tamang singing in Japanese 
NNepali,
I want him to win too, but his performance seem to decline every week. If he doesn’t regroup, I don’t think his followings can hold him much longer.
I havent watched Indian Idol this time, I want to watch how Prasant Tamang performs. I am inspired by your writing.
Keshuvko said:..
Lost in translation made me remember a recent incident. I was returning home in a safatempo an evening. There was an Indonesian. He was speaking in his language with the driver… how the poor fish could understand the language? Onething that we undestood was he said “saato” to seven… gesturing and showing his fingers. ….
Hey Praj,
Can we have a link exchange?
thanks prajwol.
Why nobody talks about NEPALI TARA? Why we discard amongst others, with some laudables in comparision to the other folks? I don’t mean so bab but will you?
Anita,
I’m glad you enjoyed his performance.
Keshav,
What was he thinking, I doubt he can survive in Nepal with just Indonesian language.
Ekendra Lamsal,
Thanks for your comment. Well, I don’t know anything about NEPALI TARA. I would sure love to watch it if the videos are posted somewhere online. After listening to you, नजिकको तिर्थलाइ हेलां गरेको जस्तो लाग्यो नेपाली तारालाइ
…But people have right to choose what they watch. And regarding Prashant Tamang, I would like to give you an example. Rama Singh has been telling news in Television for decades now, but Kiran Chettri made more buzz when she appeared for Fox (and now CNN morning news). I hope I have explained the reason for this particular post 
The last line is very true for me; guys are pretty quick in posting the links. Funny part is that they even post (not video, just the commentary) what they sang in Gala round before a week. So it said that Prashant sang better and got better comments than before, but was still not told to have outstanding performance (in coming friday’s gala).
I know there is always a prejudice when we watch indian idol. Thats gonna be there as long as prasant tamang is there.
But u know, the whole world does the same, mebbe some singaporeans, malaysians are supporting chang and so on for indians supported from different states; we all know Sanjay Malakar caught attention of all asians: your n mine!
“All that has been created is impermanent” – when will this get into my/our heads in ‘REAL’.
I’ve been reading ur posts for a while but this is my first comment on ur blog. its cool!
keep it up!
sabko bhalo hos:
Link to Indian Idol all parts all episodes, updated right after few hours of broadcasting:
http://www.muft.tv/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=11&id=1671&Itemid=55
Link to Nepali Tara and many other interesting episodes by Maha Jodi, tito satya etc:
http://www.nepalicommunity.com/
I appreciate the sentiment of Ekendra Lamsal on Nepali Tara, but totally agree to Prajwol’s reply to that.
Sharad,
Thanks for your comment and compliment
Samar,
I used that link, but they dont seem to update “right after few hours of broadcasting”.
Anitya,
I heard from Indian Idol III Orkut community that in the next round (folk songs) Prashant got good comments. Anu Malik even got out of his chair, went to the stage to shake hands with him. By the way if Anu Malik is trying to imitate Simon Cowell, he is not succeding, he looks like a jerk.
Yes- I agree with your viewpoint.
But- “yo mann ta mero nepali ho…”
Let’s wish Prashant- Good Luck.
My guess work, the final would be:
Amit Vs Emon
Prashant Vs Amit
Emon Vs Prashant
I wish that “May Prashant win ” work, instead of “May the best win”.
Sometimes, we should change ourself from the belief we’re perceived. So, Prashant , you should win. All those discouraging comments from crappy judges, ignore it. and you’ll win surely.
Hi,
I am following these reality shows lately. I was in Chicago while Sanjaya Malakar created wave among Indians in US. I am not sure Asians.
But I am here to correct you on the fact that in Indian Gurkha is not derogatory terms used for watchman. We do have our Gurkha regiment in Indian Army. The word Gurkha as become synonym to watchman because we have so many of them across nation. The primary reason is that they are most preferred to to job because of their honesty and bravery.
I am not denying the fact that your friend may have been abused but exceptions are always there. I would always prefer to see the brighter side of earth.
Hi Ken,
Nice to have you back, and thanks for your comment. I’m really glad that you understand the true meaning of Gurkha, and have proved me wrong in generalizing the Indian concept over Gurkha.
However, I still reiterate that over hundreds of movies and TV serial portrays Gurkha’s as just a watchman (I can’t think of single, if any present, that describes what Gurkha really is). And Prashant Tamang depicting Gurkha will send a message of a watchman rather than a brave soldier. Though majority of Gurkha’s are employed in India for all the reasons you mentioned, Nepalese still don’t want to be generalized as “Indian version” of Gurkha.