A hoarding announcing the arrival of the Super Stars for their performance on 1st August 2008
National Theatre Abu Dhabi where the Super Stars Nite will be held on Friday, 1st August 2008
A view of the National Theatre Abu Dhabi where the Super Stars Nite will be held on Friday, 1st August 2008
Hoardings in the main street of Abu Dhabi announcing the programme on Friday, 1st August 2008.
Amrita TV has recently concluded one of it's prestigious Reality show which had a tough competition all throughout amongst the contestants and it's active followers. You may not have witnessed a massive swing of fortunes and votes even in the lok sabha polls but that was the case amongst the scores of SMS votes for the last 3 contestants during the final day of this programme. All throughout the show, we were ecstatic and supported all the contestants but with awe watched the progress of a honest, moderately speaking and very hard working Mumbaikar boy, originally from Triprayar of Thrissur District. Due to his natural style and open attitude to acknowledge his limitations he was liked and disliked by many and also happened to fall under my mischievous eyes which even prompted me to create a whole new set of cartoon based on the Super Star Global. Obviously in most of them, he happened to be the main character. We have seen that the finals of such reality shows are always a surprise and at the end of the show both the winner and losers will have plenty of stories to say with regards to their journey till then.
Out of my passion to promote these talents who took an effort to give us some memorable months of musical fun and festivity and also as a TQM activity to see that they are not left aside, I approached Jeetu and his family for a short session with me. I had several questions running in my mind when I approached them as throughout the show I have been constructively criticising him and showering him only limited complements through my write-ups as well as cartoon series and was not sure about the direct reactions towards me for such an attempt. All those apprehensions melted down when I communicated and today, I am presenting to you all to read about Jeetendranath Ramachandran alisa Jeetu:
Greetings to you Jeetu. You have been one of the finalists of the recently concluded Super Star Global programme conducted by Amrita TV. It was a close finish and almost a sure winner for the title, last minute swing of votes resulted in you reaching the 2nd position. However, when we look at it, overall it gave a feast to all the music lovers and the contestants. It is the same interest of these music lovers that made me now approach you for a brief and casual talk to find how your progress is after the post-elimination from this show.
1. Jeetu, congratulations for participating in the Super Star Global Competition and getting selected to the top 3 level. How did you hear about this programme?
From amrita tv ads.
2. How did you find the different stages of the competition? Particularly on the challenges thrown to you to perform various dance and duet rounds?
Challenges are part of realty shows. To be frank I had difficulties at the beginning stages. The main problem was to dance but I got used to it as I had to survive.
3. Who is your Guru? Could you please give us an idea how you went about preparing for each round.
I believe that I'm blessed one because I had an opportunity to learn music under 5 gurus.
1. Smt. Shantha Venkatraman (Trichi) (carnatic vocals)
2. Smt. Prasanna Varrior (carnatic vacals)
3. Mr. Biju (Trivandrum) (Carnatic vocals)
4. Smt. Radha Varrior, deciple of late Guru Shemmangudi Bhagavathar. (carnatic vocals)
5. Smt. Panth (Hindustani vocals)
During the show I didn’t get any training from professionals. It was all done by myself, but off course George sir’s vocal training helped me a lot and I used to practise it regularly.
4. How was the support given by the Amrita TV channel in terms of co-ordination and arrangements for contestants like you who were situated away from Trivandrum?
They created a friendly environment so that we were able to practise more freely. But one thing I’ve to say is that the food was Pathetic. Accommodations were just ok. but one thing is that we could practise our song freely without any disturbances and i believe thepurpose was served.
5. How do you rate the grooming sessions before each stage of this competition? Did you all get sufficient notification about each stage and also did you get sufficient guidance about how your performance should be for each one of them?
As I said George Sir’s tips were useful. It helped me to act as a professional. I consider him as my God Father.
6. How do you rate the other contestants who participated along with you? Did you all get along well?
Initially all were good but then you know as the pressure increased everyone changed. Only Suraj, Subin, Latha, Sruthi And Charu were with me.
7. Was there any stress on you with regards to the SMS votes / campaign which was a part of the requirement for getting through to the next level in each stage? How did you work on this, especially in your case, being an outsider from Kerala, being a Mumbai based Malayalee and coming all the way from there to participate in this prestigious programme.
Actually I had no problem with regards to the campaign. My fans used to campaign votes 4 me. Many banners and voting format cards were issued to the public by fans themselves. Being a Mumbai malayalee was not at all a probs because they considered me as there own.
8. What do you rate amongst the various stages for this particular competition as the toughest round? What was the reason that made you say this particular round as very challenging.
Performance round was the most toughest coz it was very difficult for me to dance while singing.
9. Looking back at this competition after the finals, do you feel, the stages set after your elimination makes you feel that you could have performed well in those?
Yeh, I always felt that I could do better after some of my performances.
10. How often you give concerts? How many hours normally you practise?
I had a concert with G.Venugopal in the month of April. I’ve commitments in the month of oct. nov. and dec. My practise sessions are really tiring, mostly I sit for minimum 3 hrs in the morning and If I get time I practise 4 another 90 mins in the evening.
11. Other than vocal, are you learning any musical instruments?
No. but I’ll learn something.
12. Tell me something about your activities other than those involved with music.
I write lyrics 4 my own composition. I’m a lead singer of a pop band “Eternity”. I had won gold medal in the state level for painting and silver medal in the nationals (2001-02). Even now I sketch out of my imagination.
13. Tell me about your academic progress. What are you doing now?
Presently studying in final year B.Com
14. Being a resident of Mumbai, did you get any support/recognition from the numerous Malayalee associations based in Mumbai?
Yes. Chembur fine arts had felicitated me by arranging a musical nite.
15. Who is your favourite singer? And who else do you like to follow closely from the music world?
Hariharan is my all time favorite. Then, Shankar Mahadevan, Rahath Fateh Ali Khan, Kailash kher, Enrique, George peter.
16. What are your future plans? What do you want to become – musically and otherwise?
I want to be a musician. Only that much I can say.
17. Do you get noticed when you travel to Kerala after participation in this show. How do you handle this popularity / recognition/encouragements.
Well it feels great when u hear someone saying that “adh super staril paadiya paiyan alle”.
18. Any funny incidents during your participation in the show which you wish to share with all of us?
No funny incidents as such.
19. Who do you rate amongst the panel of the judges as the best? And why? Did you notice any bias or partiality?
No comments.
Studying Carnatic Music since 14 yrs, Music composing, Gold medalist in Mumbai university for light vocals. 'Best Singer' Award received from "Jagjeet Singh" in "Josh'06 4-5 years of freestyle & Rock, Pop and New-age
Dancing Skills: Enjoy Dancing.
Address:
"Saraswathy", Triveni CHS, Rajaji path, Dombivili(E), Thane, Maharashtra - 421201
Awards and Achievements:
Music composing, Gold medalist in Mumbai university for light vocals. ‘Best Singer’ Award received from “Jagjeet Singh” in “Josh’06
Hobbies: Music Composing, Write lyrics in Hindi
Sun Sign: Virgo
And, why not listen to some of his best performances during the recently concluded Super Star Global programme of Amrita TV:
Jeethu about Jeethu 01
Jeetu & Nidhish singing Piyare on SSG Amrita TV
ATV Super Star Global Jeetu dt 11022008
Performance of Jeetu Super Star Global dt 11022008
Jeetu at ATV SSG
Performance of Jeetu dt 13022008
Jeethu On Super Star Global
Jeetu Sung the Kalyug song...
Thuje dekh dekh sonaa...
Amrita TV Super Star Global - Jeethu - Albela
Amrita Super Star Global - Jeethu - Thane Poovita moham
Roopa & Jeethu
Roopa & Jeethu "Boom Boom"
AMRITA TV Super Star Global - Chemmanam Poothey
Jeethu singing Adnan Sami's song
Amrita TV SuperStar Global Jeethu - Thujhe
Interviewed and compiled by
Ramesh Menon
17072008
How many of you can forget the always smiling little boy who came to perform in the recently concluded Super Dancer Junior show of Amrita TV?. How many of you can forget his innocent replies complementing his mother and grandmother for his beautiful costume selection and hair style. How may of you can forget a boy studying and living in Bahrain expressing his liking for Kanji and Payaru?. It is none other than Master Vidyuth Menon from Bahrain about whom I am writing today.
Many of us were shocked beyond imagination when this little champion was voted out from the Final 5 of the Super Dancer Junior competition for the Final 3. Master Vidyuth was not selected for the Final 3!!! It was utter dismay and disbelief as he was progressing from one round of performance to the next extremely well and giving us an almost flawless performance which we all expected from the contestant of such a Reality Show. That was history – of course man made. 
1. Vidyuth, congratulations for participating in the Super Dancer Junior Competition and getting selected to the top 5 level. Your elimination was a shock news for many of your fans. Tell me, how did you hear about this programme?
Hi all… Thanks a lot for including me in this focus. In fact I was so keen on watching Super Star Junior and Super Dancer shows. After watching the advertisement in ATV, my parents enrolled my name.
2. How did you find the different stages of the competition? Particularly on the challenges thrown to you to perform non-conventional rounds.
Though it was very tough, I was enjoying each round of the competition. Classical round and folk round was very new to me and I had to really work hard for those segments. My mother is a trained classical dancer. But as she was busy with my costumes and other work, Sajna Najam (Sajna aunty) helped me in classical round. Myself and aunty became very close in that short period.
3. Who is your Guru? Could you please give us an idea how you went about preparing for each round.
Mr. Jyothiraj (Bahrain) is my master in western dance. He was so thrilled when I got selected and even accompanied me to Trivandrum. At Trivandrum I had Sajeesh master (foot loosers) to train me. Shaine sir and Baby Shivaram also helped me in one round each. My mother is my inspiration & was there with me for every thing; she gave me tips on improving my facial expressions and even helped me to improve my performances.
We had minimum four dances in each rounds. After one shoot we hardly get two days to rest. I used to have classes till late night. It was a bit tough but novel & nice experience. Learning from different choreographers helped me to improve my style.
4. How was the support given by the Amrita TV channel in terms of co-ordination and arrangements for contestants like you, especially since you were not from Trivandrum and based outside India.
The support given by the channel was very minimal. Not that they didn’t support us at all. Even the song selections were done by my mother and my master. They used to give us the next round. About money and things.. I am not aware of it but, my mum tells me that they give very little for the preparation of each dance. Very good support was given by the Amrita make up team. My hair style was done by my mother herself.
5. How do you rate the grooming sessions before each stage of this competition? Did you all get sufficient notification about each stage and also did you get sufficient guidance about how your performance should be for each one of them?
We didn’t have much grooming sessions (for dance) except from Mrs. Vimala Menon and Aravind chetan. I wished to have one from Kalamaster but we never got & I am so sad about it.
Kalamandalam and SOS village visits were unforgettable ones in my grooming sessions. SOS village visit had a very strong impact on my mind. I wish I should do something for them when I grow up.
6. How do you rate the other contestants who participated along with you? Did you all get along well?
All 15 are very good dancers. Of course we had a great time there. I enjoyed their friendship very well. Now, since I am at Bahrain I will be visiting TVM during my next vacation to see all my SDJ friends. My mother keeps in touch with almost everyone through sms or phone calls.
7. Was there any stress on you with regards to the SMS votes / campaign which was a part of the requirement for getting through to the next level in each stage? How did you work on this, especially in your case, being from an ordinary family compared to the other rich contestants?
Frankly speaking I didn’t have much stress with regard to the sms votes as I always used to be in safe zone until the semi final round. I was very confident that I was getting many votes from Bahrain (which made amrita channel to include vodafone voting too from Bahrain after one month of my participation)
I was studying in 5th STD (Asian school, Bahrain) when I got selected for super dancer junior. It was a pleasant surprise for my friends and teachers. My head teacher used to announce my voting format in the school everyday. My teachers helped me by sending notes to Tvm. I thank my school Principal Mr. Joseph Thomas, vice Principal Mrs. Thomas, head teacher Mrs. Molly mammen, co-ordinator Mrs. Rebeiro , and all my teachers and friends for supporting me.
14. Did you get any support/recognition from any associations or any other news media channels for your excellent performance in this competition?
The Indian club, The Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam and Fraternity Of Cochin (Bahrain) were the three associations who felicitated me with mementos. I got a chance to perform in front of the ruling family members of Bahrain. After the dances they called me near them and shook hands with me. I got a special gift from one of the sheikhas and that was a thrilling and unforgettable moment.
BAHRAIN KERALEEYA SAMAJAM FELICITATION
15. Who is your favourite Dancer? And who else do you like to follow closely from this field?
Lawrence, Prabhu Deva and Hrithik Roshan are my favourite dancers.
16. What are your future plans? What do you want to become – other than a Dancer?
I don’t have any plans right now. My parents don’t insist on anything. They say that whatever you do it should be done with perfection and aim to achieve the goal. Studies come first so I am fully involved in studies now.
17. Do you get noticed when you travel within Kerala/outside Kerala after participation in this show. How do you handle this popularity / recognition/encouragements?
Certainly, people do recognise me after my participation in this show. I love being loved by the people especially the strangers and passer-by. I never knew and expected that people love me this much and that is a great honour you could ever receive than winning any titlest.
18. Tell me anything additional you want to include here.
Looking back at the SDJ participation, I am so lucky to be one among them and for this I am so very thankful to God first and secondly to my parents & grand parents. My mum, Priya, being a teacher in Bahrain, sacrificed her profession and was there with me for the entire show. My dad, Arun, encouraged me through phone calls; my both grand mothers were there in Tvm throughout to help us leaving out their chores. One thing I have to remind others is that “if there is a will there is a way”.
You may contact Master Vidyuth Menon on the following:
Cell Phone No : +973 36200910
Email: vidyuthmenon@gmail.com
Vidyuth Menon with his parents
Age & DOB: 10Yrs. 30-05-1997
Father's name & occupation: Mr. Arunkumar, Chief accountant, Manamma, Bharain
Mother's name & occupation: Mrs. Priya Arun
Teacher (British Senior Section), Al-Noor
International School, Bahrain
Residence address: Aathira, Mankavu (P.O), Calicut -7, (Kozhikode -7)
School: The Asian School, Bahrain
Passions or hobbies:
Dancing, Singing, Drawing cartppm charactors, Cricket, Foot ball
Choreographer's Name: Mr. Jyothi Raj (Bahrain), Mrs. Priya Arun (Mother)
Now let us see some of his performances:
Vidyuth's performance at Indian club, Bahrain
Vidyuth with Rapcity Boys, Bahrain
Vidyuth's western dance
Vidyuth pair with swathi
Vidyuth property round for Amrita TV Super Dancer Junior
Other performances:
I sincerely wish this young boy a bright academic and artistic future.
Ramesh Menon
04072008
Greetings to you Sankar Naag. You have been one of the contestants of the recently concluded Raga Ratnam Junior programme conducted by Amrita TV. Being the first ever talent hunt show of this calibre in the Indian Television industry for finding out the best amongst Carnatic Classical music, it gave a feast to all the rasikas and the contestants. It is the same interest of rasikas that made me now approach you for a brief and casual talk to find how your progress is after the post-elimination from this show.
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