Ganesan Manoharan and Iris Perrine shine in Superstar Challenge 2014, writes Faisal Asyraf

IN a singing competition, there’s no guarantee of coming up tops even if you’re praised by the judges. Malaysian duo Ganesan Manoharan and Iris Perrine received back-to-back praises only to come in third at the recent Superstar Challenge 2014 international Tamil singing competition.

First runner-up was Singaporean duo Vishnu Balaji and Pavithra Nair, while Aravind Sandhya and Abilasha Venkata Chellum from India, won the grand prize of S$20,000 (RM50,780).

Second and third place prizes were S$5,000 and S$3,000 respectively.

In its second year, the competition saw participation from Malaysia, Singapore, India, Sri Lanka and Canada and was broadcast live on Vasantham Central Singapore and Vasantham TV Sri Lanka.

Last year, Malaysian duo Santhesh Kumar and Charumathy Savaratnam won the championship title, so there were high expectations for Ganesan and Iris to repeat the success.

Prior to the competition held in MediaCorp TV Theatre, Caldecott Broadcast Centre Singapore, the bubbly Iris said: “We have been practising five to eight hours daily for six weeks. We are ready to rock!”

Well, they did rock with commendable performances in all three rounds — fast beat, acoustic and a 1980s song.

In the first round, Singaporean judge Mohammed Rafee said “while I had a lot to jot down on paper about the other contestants, there’s nothing for me to write about your performance. It was perfect”, referring to their performance of Jingunamani.

“You enjoyed yourselves on stage, and you made the audience happy. This is what entertainment is all about,” added the judge who worked with renowned Indian composer A.R. Rahman on the song Sonatai Seitu Mudipom.

Mohammed Rafee added that Iris had a total package to make it in the entertainment scene, including strong vocals and the magnetism to attract the crowd.

Iris had participated in other talent competitions such as Asia Bagus (1994) and Vaanavil Superstar (2009) and she came in first runner-up.

Other judges include Praba Balakrishnan (Canada), Sivaguru Sithambaram (Malaysia), Harish Raghavendra (India) and M. Mohanraj (Sri Lanka).

When the Singaporean co-hosts Jaya Ganesh and Eswary Gunasagar announced the fifth and fourth place winners, the audience had anticipated Sri Lanka and Canada respectively.

“Who’s the second runner up?” asked Jaynesh. Some in the audience shouted India and Singapore. So, when the result was announced, it caught everyone by surprise.

The champions, Aravind and Abilasha, possessed excellent vocal skills, despite a lack of showmanship. They performed Katcheri-Katcheri and Ahruhive-Ahruhive in the first and second round, respectively.

After their performance of Enn Jodi Manja Kuruvi in the third round, judge Mohammed Rafee said: “If there was a solo category in this competition, Abilasha would undoubtedly win. Aravind should thank Abilasha because she is the anchor of this performance.”

Abilasha, in her 20s, has been singing professionally for six years. She won the singing competition Zee Saregamara (Hindi version) in 2010. Aravind won with Zee Saregamara (Tamil version) in 2012, back in India.

The duo had only three days to practice before Superstar Challenge 2014.

Other competitors who wowed the audience were Vishnu Balaji and Pavithra from Singapore. In the third round, they put on an entertaining gimmick by wearing afro wigs, as they belted out Onnum Teriyate.

Meanwhile, this is not the end for Ganesan and Iris.

“We know we have put on a good show, but Lady Luck was not on our side this time. I believe in my talent, and I hope to clinch a recording offer,” says Iris. Ganesan says he will be participating in more singing competitions.

Watch the show on Astro Vinmeen HD (Ch 231) today at 6pm, in conjunction with Chithirai Puthandu.

source: http://www.nst.com.my / New Straits Times / Home> Sunday Life & Times / by Faisal Asyarf (faisal.asyraf@nst.com.my) / April 13th, 2014