November 22, 2007

Meet Ishmeet Singh, a talented young man from Ludhiana, Punjab, who gave up his studies, went against his parent's wishes and took a huge risk to follow his dreams.

And lucky for Ishmeet, the risk paid off. From thousands and thousands of hopeful singers, Ishmeet stands apart as one of the two finalists of the television reality show, Star's Voice of India.

Barely two days away from the grand finale, Ishmeet spends most of his time in riaaz. But he took some time out to speak to us about about his journey so far.

Tell us about yourself.

I come from a simple middle class background. There's my mother, dad and my elder sister, Sumeet.

Everyone sings in my family. My dad is a great singer, so are my chachaji and his children. So I have been singing from very young. But it was in my ninth class that I really got into singing Hindi songs.

When did you realise that singing was your passion?

In my ninth class, every student was asked to sing a song. When I sang, my teacher, Jagdeet Kaur, told me that I have a very good voice. She told me that I would go very far because of my singing.

Are you a trained singer?

I've had basic training. I've learned a lot from my dad. I learned singing Hindi songs from him.

How did you enter VOI? Tell us about your auditions.

I saw it on television. I learnt that they were holding auditions for the new season of Voice of India and I wanted to try out for it. But my family was against it. They wanted me to complete my studies. I couldn't do both, as my studies take up all my time. So I had to reason with my mother to let me at least go for the audition. She told me that even if I was selected, I couldn't continue because my studies were very important.

I auditioned in Delhi and was selected. From thousands of hopefuls, only 39 were selected. Then it was down to 33 and finally 12. But still my mother was asking me to give it up and return home.

I requested her to just let me try, dekhte hain kaha tak pahuch sakhta hoon (see how far I could go). In the end, my relatives had to intervene and convince my parents.

Now that you've reached the finals, you're already a big star. What do they feel now?

They're very proud of me. So is everybody else. I have made a name for myself and my family. Because of this show and what I've achieved, we have moved up from a simple middle class life to a very respectable standard. The kind of people I'm meeting, and the life I'm leading right now is only because of this show.

What is the source of inspiration for your music?

Initially, it was just my dad. He taught me everything. Then I started following Mohammad Rafiji. I'm big fan of Shaan and Sonu Nigam [Images]; I follow their singing very closely.

Do you get nervous before every performance? Do you have any ritual that you do to calm yourself down?

Earlier, I would get very nervous. But now, I have got used to performing in front of an audience. But no matter what, before every performance, I chant Wahe Guru on my Simone Mala; it's the beaded mala that I always wear on my wrist.

What is the hardest part about this competition?

Singing is the easy part. Impressing the audience is difficult. In the end, it all comes down to them.

What has been the most memorable moment for you up till now?

Every moment, every day has been memorable. Since the day this experience has started, every moment has been so special. It has changed my life, and for the better.

There are eliminations in every round. Was there a point when you thought, 'I'm next to go'?

Oh yes, every time! You can do your best, put everything into your performance, but after that, it's no longer in your hands. It's up to the audience and their votes.

You're up against Harshat in the finals. What is your take on him?

Harshat is very talented. Bahoot achcha gata hain (he sings very well). You know, we both have come so far. Coming so far in the competition is a great achievement in itself. It doesn't matter who is voted the final winner. If one wins and the other is voted second, it doesn't mean he is the loser. We've come so far -- there's nothing to lose anymore. We are both winners.

Is singing something you want to do for the rest of your life?

I will go back to studies first. It's what my parents want from me. But yes, I also want to continue singing. People know me because of my voice. I have made a name because of my singing so I don't think I'm going to give it up.

With thanks to rediff.com

Ishmeet Singh

The 2007 winner of Star Voice of India is a big fan of Shaan, and is enjoying his time on the new show.

"I liked the concept of the show and am enjoying it with my new friends," he says, adding, "Everything is unexpected. You may get good comments but you still face the danger zone because of SMS voting. So, yes, the results depend on the viewers' votes."

Meanwhile, the singer is very excited about his first album. "It will be out in July with different kind of songs -- hip hop, bhangra and remixes. My devotional album Gurbani -- Satgur Tumre Kaaj Saware has got good response in India as well as abroad," he adds.

The brand ambassador for the Punjab State Lottery is also excited about his movie career. "I will be acting and singing in two Punjabi films after this show. I'm also in talks with two Bollywood directors for playback singing. As far as singing in concerned, I don't mind singing in any language. After this show, I will go on a world tour with Voice of India participants Rakhi Sawant and Shaanbhaiya."

Ishmeet Singh passes away

Voice of India 2007, died in Maldives

Ishmeet Singh, winner of the popular Star Plus reality show Voice of India 2007, died in Maldives on Tuesday evening. He drowned in the swimming pool of his hotel Chaaya Island Dhonveli in North Male.

The 19-year-old singer from Punjab had arrived at Male on the morning of June 29, to perform at a promotional event to be held on August 1.

It may be recalled that Ishmeet was among the top two finalists on Amul Star Voice of India and was crowned the winner on November 24, 2007, beating Harsh*t Saxena. He was also one of the contestants of Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar, a singing reality show on Star Plus and represented the Champions team. He was eliminated on June 20, 2008.

Lata Mangeshkar, whom Ishmeet and Harsh*t had met as contestants and who gave away the winner's trophy, recalled Ishmeet as a sweet fellow. She said, "I feel very sad. He'd come to meet me, sang for me, and I had nudged him to pay a little more attention to classical training. He'd told me, 'Mein ek din aapko bahot bada ban ke dikhaoonga' (one day I'll make a big name for myself)," Lata told a TV channel.

Farah Khan, judge on Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar , said, "He was a gentleman, never saying anything bad about any contestant. Once I was having a late dinner in the studio and he sat beside me, sharing my food. He told me, 'You have so many fans. I'd never thought I would one day eat sitting side by side with you.' I still can't believe he's dead."

Playback singers Abhijeet and Alka Yagnik, who are also judges on music reality shows, have expressed shock at Ishmeet's death. "It's shocking. It's a cruel thing that has happened to him. I still can't believe it," said Yagnik.

Ishmeet's mother sadly recalled that she wanted her 'Bablu beta' to become a CA. She also informed that he used to hate water as a kid.

Harsh*t Saxena, Amul Star Voice of India runner up, said, "He was like a brother to me. I cannot even comment on what has happened. I cannot believe that he is no longer with us."

Meanwhile, it was reported in Star News late in the evening that all Sikh schools in Delhi would remain closed on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 in the wake of the unfortunate incident.