Chicago Indian Icon 1st Audition – A Roaring Success

Chicago IL: Chicago Indian Icon (CII) has emerged a landmark platform for the Chicago’s youth to come up, perform, compete, and shine. It is a Karaoke Competition for Bollywood songs.

Launched by the Chicago-based company Indian Event Management Inc. (IEM), the CII held its first of the three auditions at the prestigious Ashyana Banquets in Downers Grove on May 19th 2013.

Participants aged 7 to 71 regaled the jam-packed audience all through the 8-hour long organized audition with their no-knot performances. Young Sutikshna Veeravalli attracted repeated standing ovations not only from the audience, but also from the judges. Equally favorites were 7-year old Senria Nath from Wisconsin and Abhijeet Joshi.

An overwhelming response was witnessed with singers registering non-stop, online as well as in-person at the front-desk. Participants competed in Solo, Duet or Group Song categories. The audition was being streamed live as hundreds queued up to participate in the audition. More than 2000 people watched CII-2013 1st Audition live over internet, which was way above expectation.

Brij Sharma, the president of The Indian Event Management introduced a four member executive committee, the founders – Sharan Walia as the director of management and Planning, Pratibha Jairath as the Vice President, Raju Bankapur as the director of entertainment and execution and Anoop Walia, as the director of Public Relations and Business Operations. “Although, all members of IEM team came from different background, expertise and skills, but we all share the same vision to bring out the hidden talent from within our community to provide a platform to artists of all age groups to achieve their goals”, added Brij Sharma.

The May 19th audition was an exquisite display of the rich talent that Chicago’s Indian community has been incubating. The CII 2013 presented an array of singers covering all age groups at their performing best. Noteworthy was the panel of highly qualified and accomplished judges. Judges too were drawn from within the community. They included: Vaishali Dhande, Shivana Bangar, Hitesh Master, Meenu Purshotam, and Richard Christian. Even the awesome MCs displayed wonderful oratory as they exercised careful control over the proceedings. Actress Chinmayi Bhatt and TV personality Mr Saurine Thakkar were the two MCs.

“We will be doing multiple reality shows throughout US’’ announced Sharan Walia who has high aspirations to succeed. Sharan defines it as “the 1st initiative to be providing a platform of stardom.” Truly so. The perfection noticed in CII’s 19 May audition has superseded all the previous attempts that have been mushrooming in the past to create a similar entity. “We are not going to cut corners on anything be it talent search, or the organizational aspect, Sharan added.

This was clearly reflected in the complete set-up of the venue as well. The program started against an imposing backdrop beautifully set up stage. The glittering set-up and décor was presented by Ms Bhavna Taneja the art director of Diva Design.

Chann Pardesi, IEM’s sole Radio Media partners helped throughout the process. Their team was in-charge of Pre and Post interview of participants just outside of the Audition Hall. In fact, the entire Ashyana Banquet wore a ceremonial look. Such was the energy of CII, that it eclipsed other events that were taking place in the venue.

“It is dream come true for our team and in what a beautiful magnanimous way!” said Pratibha Jairath, who is a cultural brand name in her own might and has been advocating the need for CII for many years. “Each and everyone present here today should feel this unique moment which is part of this magnificent milestone where competitive spirit is blended with friendship and unity, all in the quest for musical excellence” Pratibha added.

The event reflected high organizing standards. The glamour, well dressed volunteers’ poise, the glittering stage, sumptuous lunch and supper, and freedom of movement—all made the CII look regal. Experienced professionals were engaged for High quality of professional videography for potential air time.

“The singers are being evaluated by such qualified judges and the judges can guide the participants to improve their singing’” says Raju Bankapur, Chicago’s famous singer. He focused on flawless execution, a challenging task. “The winners will hopefully have an opportunity to sing with bollywood stars one day”, adds Raju.

“We have created this platform for you to prove your talent,” said Anoop Walia who has a passion for music and stayed connected with participants throughout the process. And rightly so! It is one. It is, in fact, Chicago’s local solution of the global standards. To a keen eye, the CII is Chicago’s Sa Re Ga Ma in the making.

Ms Gurmeet, presented two scintillating Kathak performances that left the audience spellbound and wanting for more. Gurmeet is the Dance Director of Dancing Petals, Chicago’s premier Kathak dance academy.

Overall, of the 3 auditions, 54 contestants will be selected for the semifinals. Of these 27 will reach the finals. The Chicago Indian Icon will be selected on 21 September Grand Finale in Meadows Club. All performances will be streamed live. Provision for Audience poll and online voting has been made. Uniform judging criterion has been formulated.

The enormous success of this event has encouraged IEM to continue its stride towards the future. “IEM is committed to the community to provide professional services in the field of event management and entertainment,” Brij Sharma stated. He further informed that the “IEM will be organizing different types of reality shows. Besides the CII, the IEM will also organize dance competitions, fashion shows, Indian festivals and the New Year Eve celebrations.” At the event Brij announced IEM’s New Year 2014 at Ashyana Banquets.”

Brij Sharma also announced IEM’s plans to replicate CII in “New York, Los Angles, Atlanta, San Francisco, Denver etc. almost 10 US cities with Indian Population more than 100,000 to achieve the goal of launching Indian American Icon in near future.