A contestant auditions for the reality show. Telegraph picture

Aug. 17: Hundreds of aspiring singers, mostly in their teens and early twenties, queued up for a chance to audition for SaReGaMaPa (Season-12) the Ganesh Mandir Indoor Stadium today.

Nearly 300-400 people of the Northeast auditioned for the national-level singing reality show that is aired on Zee TV.

Many participants had been standing in the queue since 3am to try their luck in the show that has launched the careers of many talented singers in the country.

“This is not the first time that I have auditioned for the popular reality show. I had even auditioned for it in 2009 in Mumbai. I was selected in the level-1 of the auditions that took part in the morning and now I am waiting for my turn to audition for level-2. I hope I can make it to the show this time,” said Pranjal Kalita, a participant.

“Three of my friends and I were selected in the audition of SaReGaMaPa that was held for selected participants in the earlier part of this year. Today we will be auditioning for level-2. We are very excited and keeping our fingers crossed,” said a participant.

“I love singing and have been waiting for my turn since 4 in the morning. The reality show is one of the most prestigious and I would be very glad if I am selected. The tough competition in the show really helps the contestants to learn more of varied genres of music from the mentors,” said Seema Das, another participant.

Those who will be selected in the audition today will audition for the next round in Mumbai, New Delhi or Calcutta soon.

If they pass the second round they will be able to make it to the show.

Music directors Sajid-Wajid, Vishal-Shekhar and singer Daler Mehendi will be the judges of Season 12 of the reality show that will be aired in a few months’ time.

Music director Sanjay Vidyarthi, singer Saroj Suman, and singer and former contestant of the reality show, Shreyasi Chakraborty, were the judges for the auditions.

The judges who had come all the way from Mumbai expressed their satisfaction at coming across some really talented participants in the city.

“I was really impressed to meet some very talented participants today. People in Guwahati love music and so far the singers who have made it to SaReGaMaPa from this part of the country were exceptionally talented. The thing that struck me most was the fact that a considerable number of people here could play the guitar quite well. In fact, a number of participants arrived here today with their guitars in hand and trust me, they played well while singing their numbers. I am positive that SaReGaMaPa (Season-12) will have one or two really talented singers from here,” said singer and judge Mangal Mishra.

“One particular thing that I have come across here is that while there are many talented youngsters who have very good voices, they had never received formal classical or semi-classical training in music. When I questioned them on this, some said they were too busy with their studies and a few said they did not have a guru. Proper guidance and perseverance will help them immensely in taking up a career in music,” said Mishra.