Anjana Padmanabhan is something of a rock star at 10, having just won the first Indian Idol Junior competition.
The Bangalore girl has won a cash prize and got to meet Bollywood Shahenshah Amitabh Bachchan at the finale of the event organised by a private television channel in Mumbai on Sunday.
However, Anjana’s feet are firmly grounded. She is a Class 5 student of Delhi Public School (Bangalore South) on Kanakapura Road.
Speaking from Mumbai over phone, she said: “I had not entered the competition to win, but to gain experience. I had nothing to lose as I did not know the language (Hindi). However, I worked overtime to learn the lyrics and now I can converse in Hindi.” She was surprised when Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra requested for her autograph. Anjana received a cash prize totalling Rs. 27 lakh, a scholarship of Rs. 5 lakh and a car.
School erupts
At her school DPS (Bangalore South), it was a festival time on Monday. The entire campus was decorated with streamers, festoons and balloons. Anjana's classmates danced to the songs sung by Anjana during the course of her journey contesting in the show.
Principal Manju Sharma said: “Anjana’s talent was spotted when she sang ‘Waka, Waka’ at the pyjama party for the children in the kindergarten. This was when she was just five. It is her music teacher, Sromona, who encouraged Anjana to audition for Indian Idol and the school has tried to render support in every way.”
Her teacher, Kavita Ghosh, added, “It was a proud moment as everyone watched the show with fingers crossed hoping the name would be none other than Bengaluru’s Anjana Padmanabhan. And, the prayers were answered.”
