Jaws dropped and heartbeats raced at the just concluded grand finale of the children’s` singing contest Shakthi Junior Superstar in Colombo. The glittering evening started off with the four finalists performing to different genres of music including classical, folk and hip-hop. While an estimated million people watched the event live on TV, Sri Lanka`s Tamil population had its very first taste with a live music reality show.
As the children unleashed foot-stomping numbers and soothing classical tunes the clock was ticking away to the final moment of truth – the declaration of the Junior Superstar. The eminent panel of judges comprising the country`s leading singers and musicians found it really difficult to make a choice amongst the four finalists and so did the audience and voting public. Standing in the fourth place was Yathunandini who had to make an exit to continue the program for top three rankings.
The public voted their ranking of the singers by sms messaging just till about fifteen minutes before the Junior Superstar was announced. The master of ceremonies held the audience to the seats edge heightening the final suspense to a game played sportingly for six months with the participation of more than 1,500 children.
At the stroke of 8.30 pm, music reached its crescendo, colorful confetti and lighting burst onto the stage with Art of Living student Avinesh`s name declared as the Junior Superstar. The evening concluded with Avinesh`s expression of gratitude to his parents, teachers and the Art of Living.
The upcoming Mahashivratri festival to be celebrated at the Art of Living International Headquarters in Bangaloreis expected to see Avinesh present his classic style. Some of the finalists and semi-finalists are also likely to participate.
Leading musician Dr. Manikantanji to inspire Colombo singers:
The newly crowned Junior superstar Avinesh and all the finalists and semi-finalists will soon have a fantastic opportunity to interact with the Art of Living`s leading musician Dr. Manikantanji during his upcoming tour to Sri Lanka in mid- November. The formal launch of the Art of Living Sri Lanka`s Art - for - Children Project is also scheduled in this tour.
The project aims at inspiring and supporting children in the creative fields of music, art, poetry and design. As a first initiative under this project a 20 feet high colorful statue of Ganesha is being designed in the northern Sri Lankan town of Jaffna to inspire children and youth to think new, dream big and reach for the highest in life.