Finding a new star

KARACHI: The finale of “LG Awaz Banaye Star”took place at the Expo Centre in Karachi recently, where two talented individuals battled it out to become the LG Star of Pakistan.

The judges faced the difficult decision of choosing two competitors from the six gifted semi-finalists. The finalists were Syed Muqaddas Ali of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Technology, Karachi and Zain Hassan of Pakistan International Education System Islamabad, who went on to perform in the finale.

The finale was a star studded event and was hosted by Muzna Ibrahim and Tipu Yorguc, along with Anoushey Ashraf and Faizan Haqque. TV actors in attendance said they  were there to promote the event as they all believed that the show is a step in the right direction by the private sector as it will help promote music amongst students from various educational institutions.

Behroze Sabzwari was of the view that “’LG Awaz Banaye Star’ is an event that is at par with Indian musical talent hunt shows.”  Film actor Nadeem was present at the event and said, “I became an actor because I wanted to be a singer.” Qazi Wajid had obviously been following the show as he said he had a personal favourite but did not name the individual.

The finale itself had three rounds in which each contestant sang a song in front of the judges, Salamat Ali, Hadiqa Kiyani and Nizar Lalani. Syed Muqaddas Ali sang “Albela Sajan”, “Teray Naina” and a national song, “Ae Watan Pyaray Watan”. He was greatly appreciated by the judges and the audience. All three judges complimented him for singing so well, “You completely mesmerised me,” said Kiyani.

Zain Hassan performed Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan’s “Main Nahi Jaana”, Rahat Fateh Ali’s “Sab Rishtay Natay” and Fuzon’s “Deewanay”. His first performance was his best and won over some members in the audience. However, the judges told Hassan that he required clarity in his mind while performing and he should be at ease when it comes to singing in front of a crowd.

Although a close contest, it was Ali who was declared the winner. “Though I had given my auditions, I never thought I could make it. The team conducting the show was very professional and today they have made me LG Star of Pakistan and I am proud of it,” he said.

Shahid Iqbal, the creative director of the show said, “The finale went very well. Our team’s passion for music led us to devise a method of promoting music at the national level. We believe a student should not only be able to achieve educationally but should even (be able to) perform and be groomed in the field of music.”

The winner of “LG Awaz Banaye Star” receives a ‘Star Prize’ that includes cash, album production and recording, one music video production, exposure in the media and the opportunity to gain stardom.

With the first season of the show over, talks are on for starting the show’s second season soon, Iqbal said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2010.