It’s been a week since Anjana Padmanabhan won the Indian Idol Junior title, but the excitement hasn’t died down…neither for her nor for her family and friends. Back in Bangalore after four months in Mumbai, the 10-year-old seems thrilled at the welcome she received. “People gathered outside my house and waited for me to arrive. They burst crackers too…and there were body guards and tight security,” she says elated.
Interviews, phone calls, photographs…it’s been a whirlwind and the young singer sounds a little weary, but the media of course isn’t tired of talking to her. “Ever since my win I have given more than 50 interviews…I am very tired,” she adds endearingly.
Talking about her victory she says, “I did not expect it because all four of us (finalists) were very good.” When Anjana went on the show her knowledge of Hindi was very limited. It still is apparently. But she managed beautifully; her accent, diction and emotions were perfect. “I mugged up all the lyrics. The toughest of the lot was ‘Tu Mane Ya Na Maane Dildara’ by Wadali Brothers. Now I have picked up just a little more of the language by means of interacting with the other participants,” she laughs.
Now that she’s home, what does she miss the most about Indian Idol Junior ? “I made some good friends. I’ll miss them. Sugandha is my best friend and we plan to keep in touch over phone. I’ll miss all the masti we did, the ghost stories we told each other and the stage and the judges who were so involved with us.”
Anjana goes back to school on Wednesday. Meanwhile all her friends and teachers have been visiting her, fussing over her and congratulating her…it’s going to be a while before the celebrations end. “I asked my parents to buy me a Samsung Note II so I can store all my music in there…I am just waiting for that,” adds the fifth grader.
This isn’t the first time she participated in a music reality show. She was earlier a participant on Airtel Super Singer where she made it to the top 7. Trained in Carnatic music, Anjana next plans to train in other genres too. But for now it’s time to sit back and let the victory sink in.
