Contestant speak

BISWAJIT MAHAPATRI, Odisha

Hailing from Bhawanipatna, Odisha, 26-year-old journalist left his media job to build a career in singing. Biswajit's singing interest comes from his mother who has sung in various Odia films. His music career started in 2012, when he came to Bhubhaneshwar to do his post-graduation. He then participated in a regional singing competition and stood second. But that didn’t fetch him good work.

“I was doing my Post Graduation and simultaneously working in the music industry. The reason I wasn't able to make my career in singing at that time was that no one wants to experiment with new voices. Everyone wants a singer whose voices matches with the hero's voice but my voice is different. I then started working in the media industry as a journalist. My voice does not fit for sad songs and I don't want to make a career by singing sad songs. They are very monotonous and they don't make you popular," Biswajit tells you who has sung in 11-12 Odia films and gets his inspiration from singer Vishal Dadlani and Adnan Sami.

“A lot of people say that as I have a a sore throat and I can’t become a singer. But when I came for the auditions of Indian Idol 10, Vishal Dadlani sir appreciated me a lot. He said that in spite of having a sore throat my voice is unique,” he added.

NITIN KUMAR, Himachal Pradesh

A 23-year-old BA Honours student Nitin Kumar from Himachal Pradesh is living his father's dreams of becoming a successful singer.

Kumar is receiving training for singing from Guru, Dr Param Hans, since he was five years old. He used to earlier sing bhajans in temples. It was then his father thought that Kumar could make a career in singing.

In 2011, Kumar participated in SaRe Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs and came in top three. “I got a standing ovation from all the judges at the auditions. I believe that if you want to get ahead in your career, you have to follow the path of truthfulness. People who try to make fake stories of their helplessness and think it will make them popular is their misconception. Jo sachcha hota hai vahi aagey badhta hai.

His inspiration is Bollywood singer, Sukhwinder Singh. Kumar aspires to become a successful singer and make his father proud.