Two from State in NE superstar finals
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 26 2011: Two young and talented girls have been nominated to represent Manipur in the grand finale of the North East Wave North East Ke Superstar, a mega reality talent hunt show launched by North Eastern Council (NEC).

Billed as the biggest talent show of singing and dancing, NEC has taken up the endeavour of launching the multi-State composite competitive cultural programme to encourage talented youths of the region.

The winners will get exciting prizes and a chance to be a part of a music album as well as feature in a music video.

Wahengbam Thoi, a class IX student, has been nominated in dancing while Deepika Ningthoujam, a BSc Ist year student in Biotechnology, in singing to represent Manipur in the grand finale to be held sometime in March/April at Guwahati where nominees from other North Eastern States will fight it out in a competition showcasing their singing and dancing talent.

Daughter of Wahengbam Sashi Singh and Sanapui Golmei of Wahengbam Leikai, Wahengbam Thoi is an accomplished Manipuri classical dancer.

She was also one of the finalists for the POGO's Amazing Kids Award in its last edition.

Wahengbam Thoi and (inset) Deepika Ningthoujam

On the other hand, Deepika Ningthoujam, daughter of N Shyamkishore Singh and Tombisana, also from Wahengbam Leikai, is a budding singer with a penchant for western music.

Talking about the competition and their experiences, the two State nominees informed that after an audition at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen here on January 4, nine 9 of them, five in dancing and four in singing, were selected from Manipur to participate in the competition held at Jyoti Chitravan Film Studio, Guwahati from January 12 to February 12 .

From this competition, two nominees, one in dancing and the other in signing, from each of the North Eastern States were again selected for the grand finale.

It was a tough competition where versatility of the competitors were judged critically by a panel of judges.

So, Thoi had to win the hearts of the judges with her Salsa performance though her nimble feet is trained for lyrical Manipuri classical dance and Deepika, a western music buff, sang her way through the competition in Hindi much to the surprise of the judges.

Though the two State nominees were happy with their wins that made them richer by Rs 25000 with sheer grit and determination, they, however, have complained against alleged lack of publicity support from the side of the State Government.

They pointed out that in other States like Sikkim and Mizoram, Govts have been extending every possible logistic supports to ensure the success of their respective State nominees, which unfortunate is missing here.

With the fate of the competitors in the grand finale to be decided upon public vote through sms, Thoi and Deepika have fervently appealed to all the people of Manipur to vote for them.

It is said that vote in favour of Thoi can be send to DANC (space) THO at 56363 and that of Deepika to SONG (space) DPK at 56363 when the voting line is open for the grand finale to be held at Sarusajai Open Air Stadium, Guwahati.

The event would also be telecasted live on Doordarshan.Grand finale winners will take home Rs 7 lakhs as prizes.