Young Keshav Tyohar is living his dream in the city where all dreams come true and city residents would be well advised to catch him every weekend on their television sets.
Keshav has made it to the top six of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs, the singing reality show for kids on Zee TV. The show airs at 9pm every Saturday and Sunday and anybody who tunes in can hear the city boy impress judges and contestants alike.
"I have worked hard to reach this position. My genre is Indian classical music, but on the show I have tried to prove myself in every way by singing songs from all genres, including western," the 13- year-old boy told The Telegraph over the phone from Mumbai where he has been shooting the show for the past three months.
Keshav's father Rahul Kumar (medical devices businessman) has accompanied him to the city of dreams, Mumbai. Rahul said his wife Prem Divya and he discovered Keshav's talent when he just four years old.
"Once I heard Keshav sing Raga Yaman and was so spellbound that I decided to send him for training. I sent Keshav to Rajnish Kumar, a noted singer from the Benaras gharana when he was just four. People keep asking me if I have made any sacrifices to help Keshav reach this platform, but it's not like that. As a parent, it's my responsibility to nurture his talent," said the proud father. He has reason to be proud too.
The week audience voting began on the Zee singing reality show (a fortnight ago), Keshav bagged the highest number of votes.
He intends to get more and more votes every week. Urging people to vote for him to keep his chances in the competition afloat, young Keshav said: "To vote for me, message SRGMPspace>KES to 57575. You can also vote over Twitter using #Keshav #Lilchamps @ ZeeTV. The voting lines for the next episode will close on Tuesday morning at 8. So, please vote before that."
Speaking on his Li'l Champs experience, the teenager said singer Shaan - the mentor of the boys' team - was his favourite among the three judges on the show. For those not yet clued in on the show, Monali Thakur and Alka Yagnik are the other two judges on the show.
Keshav is elated at the compliments he has been receiving from the judges. Among his favourites is music composer Sulaiman's. Keshav, a resident of Shiv Puri and a Class VIII student of Delhi Public School, said: "Sulaiman (of music director duo Salim Sulaiman) sir heard me sing Ishq Hua from Aaja Nachle and told me I would become a Bollywood playback singer in the next two years. I am also getting very good response from the public. Recently, I had gone out in Mumbai and a 45-year-old gentleman came up to me and wished to take a photograph with me. I happily agreed."
