#14: My Farewell...

[Discaimer: Those of you, who are new to my blog, please read the entries before this entry. The posts follow a reverse order so you would have to read the previous one's to keep the flow. Thank you]




I knew it was coming…call it instinct if you’d like. A lot of things than were happening to me that entire week told me I was going to be out next. Seriously.

The week after Sooraj was out my performances and I was criticized like never before. Right there on stage in front of everyone. That itself gave me some negative vibes of what was comgin ahead of me. Then after weeks and weeks of making Rahul Chettan (our Production Manager) go behind the accounts department for my Ticket fares, I finally get it in hand. All at once. I was like…ok…I guess I’ve become too expensive for them now…hehehe! [people…theses are purely my assumptions ok…:-) ] Then I took a looot of time to select my solo song for the next week, and for the first time I selected something that I was not all that comfortable with …I have no idea why!

Then we had a grooming session with Shyam sir after a long time that week, where he asked us what problems we faced. And Anand and I were the only ones to open our mouths. I told him all what I felt was a problem for all us contestants in general. After that session my doubts about my elimination that week got stronger. Praveen & Anand told me to shut up and that I had no better work to do…but I still felt like this time my gut feeling was going to happen.

That was the first elimination week I had someone from my family to watch me perform my sweetheart of a cousin sis, Rohini. The last time my family (dad & mom) came to watch an elimination round on Indian Idol …I fot eliminated…so again I assumed the same was going to happen. Rohini was almost going to slap me when I told her that!

By the time I had finished singing my first song on that shoot day, and knew I was in danger, I just confirmed it my mind that this was it Rashmi…get ready to say Bye Bye to this stage! I even sent a message to my dad telling him that my trio performance for that day would most probably be my last performance there…truly last!

I was just gearing my self up for that part of the evening. I sang Randaka (my last song) with my fellow danger zone buddies, Subin & Amal. I had sooo much fun on that song!!! I guess I just wanted to give it my all. Oh …and one more thing the dress I wore for that performance, that green Kurta…that was the dress which I wore for my one and only stage performance on Idol…coincidence huh? :-)

Then shyama chechi called us. One by one every one else on the danger zone went back, Sub ingot the life line and then it was just me and my best buddy..Anand. I was like…damn this is hard…what if I don’t get eliminated and Anand goes out….Oh my God no..I won’t be able to take that either…in fact I’d rather take my elimination than his!! While all this went on in my head Shyama chechi announced my name. And I gave that “I knew it”: smile :) …well I did ...didn’t I??

Best part was my elimination speech, something I had been preparing for weeks. I was only 3 sentences through it and the great current in the studio goes out for like 10-15 minutes. Now you know why no one was crying for my elimination? 'Cause all of them got ample time to wipe their tears off...Hehehe! :-)

I have never made sooo many friends in so little a time in my life. No….not friends…they are now literally an extension to my family. And to think initially that I would be treated as an outcast (remember?). I was so wrong about what they thought about me. I have so many memories that I can cherish for life with all of them. They have changed a lot about me…my personality. I have even bettered my Malayalam with staying in TVM and conversing with all of them in my mother tongue! :-) And am I glad or what!!

For about a week or so I was in a hangover of SSG. Obviously…it suddenly hit me that I was no longer going to see all those faces I kept seeing week after week for so many months. I just got so used to it…I didn’t ever think that I would have to stop seeing them after some point. Only when you’re out of something that you truly loved would you realize what you miss. And trust me…I did feel jealous of all of them when the dance rounds started. It was my dream last year that I also would sing with all those dancers behind me on that stage…too bad it didn’t happen while I was still on the show….ah..by gones are by gones!

I miss you guys!! :-( …I wish each and every one of you the very best of luck for all your endeavors….and keep my spirit alive when ever you guys perform!!!!! :-)

I now leave all of you to enjoy the pics I clicked during my last few hours on that lovely set with my lovely friends…..

(some of the pics are out of focus and most have the red-eye...I know..bad phtography..but I really didn't have the time that night to adjust the settings on my phone :-( sowey! )

That's our dear producer...Sateesh Ettan

Our ever-loving and genious of a guy...Stephen Chettan..Mis you!

With my new found big bro...Ratheesh Ettan!

Mis this bugger...Praveen!

With my two nautankies...Subin & Amlu!

Jeetu mere Lal...mis you dear!

Sweet little dracu..hehe..yea that's what her friend's call her! :)

Laddu Kutti!!

Teena dear...

My faaav...Roopa chechi..Mis u sooo much! :-(

Kala Chechi...don't forget me!

Mis my chirpy Anand!!!

The lovely Sujina Chechi who supports us off stage.

And the ever-smiling Shyama Chechi who supports us on stage!

Coming up next: Amul Baby…



Till then Keep Browsing & Keep Smiling! :-)

Adios!!

SSG (space) Rashmi

#4: Onam Sandhya...Live & Exclusive!

[Discaimer: Those of you, who are new to my blog, please read the entries before this entry. The posts follow a reverse order so you would have to read the previous one's to keep the flow. Thank you]




I had mixed emotions that week. I was happy that all of us contestants were together for Onam, celebrating…(even though the hotel sadhya was AWEFUL!!)…singing…and just having fun! But I was sad ‘cause my entire family was together at Palakkad enjoying my Achamma’s delicious food. Everyone, my dad’s brothers, their families , my cousins…everyone was there except me! :-(




Hmm so all of us were gathered at the rooftop of the hotel we girls were put up at. We had no idea what we were supposed to do. What songs we were going to sing. And also what exactly the show was all about! The only thing that we knew and were excited about was the fact that it was going to be telecasted LIVE!!




After a looong wait…and chit-chatting Sateesh ettan and Shan chettan came up and told us the songs we would have to prepare. Most of them were Onam songs, some popular ones..and some unfamiliar ones. I was lucky to get a song I knew and I was not alone…Kavitha chehci & Divya were with me. We got “Sasikala Chaartiya” from Devaraagam. I love that song…I had danced on it coincidentally for an Onam program back in dubai about 11 years back! Cool isn’t it? :-)




For two days all of us were busy preparing and practicing our songs and also helping other groups with their songs. This was where I got talking to a lot more of the contestants. Akash, Amal, Prasobh, Charu, Kavya, Sajla and Praveen. I enjoyed Amal & Prasobh’s company. They were the youngest…the “bindaas” types…and with Amal’s non-stop nonsense…you can never be gloomy!! Hehe!




On the eve of D-day we found out that the Super Dancer Finals were being held at the same auditorium where we would be performing the next day. We begged Sateesh ettan and Sujina chechi to let us go!! After a whole lot of persuasion they finally gave us the green signal…arranged for passes and we left for it. Well not all of us though… Roopa chechi & her dad, Prasobh, Amal, Rateesh ettan, Praveen, Anand, Kavya & her dad, Divya & her mom, Latha and later we were joined by Kala chechi (Latha’s sis) & her mom. We had fun cheering the dancers…yelling for our favourite dancer numbers…oh and clapping ahrd when the LCD projector screens showed clippings of SSG ads!!! We were the only ones in that auditorium who clapped for that ad…hehe!!! (Ok that was not funny rash!!). We had soooo much fun that night! Not everyone stayed till the end. Since Latha & I were not going back to the hotel and we had to be dropped at our respective homes (me at my uncle’s palace) we waited till Anand (the only guy who lives in Trivandrum and has a car!) left the show. Praveen, Amal, Prashobh & Rateesh ettan also stayed back. By the time Prashant was declared the winner…the crowd went hysterical and we felt it would be better if we left immediately or else we would be stranded amongst that huge crowd!! All in all that night was super FUN!! For that time I completely forgot that I was unhappy in the afternoon for not being with my family in Pgt!!





Next day all of us were excited and nervous. We were prepared with our songs but since we were not going to be in our cozy studio but in front of hundreds of people watching us sing…it was a bit scary for a few (and I speak for the majority). I personally was waiting to go out onto that stage ‘cause I love performing in front of huge audiences. That’s what gives me energy!! :-)




One by one we sang our songs…and well the show on the whole was not all that great..infact it was just average. I was glad my song went off well..and everyone said that the 3 of us, Kavita chechi, divya and I had great chemistry an we performed the song well! Thank God! But the general audience watching us back home…said they had to strain their eyes and concentrate hard on not changing the channel… hmmm too bad!! Well can’t blame anyone …it was the “first-time-ever-live-audience” performance for many…and you can’t expect us to learn the lyrics, the tune, and perform songs that we have never heard before within 2 days!! Ah any ways…by gones are by gones!

Take a look at this pic...I love it...something that I am going to treasure! It has all 21 of us..and you can actualyl makeout now how much some of us have changed...physically!! Don't ask me how though!! hehe!

Well… that was that. Onam Live got over. We were very happy with the show…enjoyed every minute of it…both on stage and off stage! Oh and the next day my trip back to palakkad was also one of themost memorable train journeys. I left with most of them in the early morning Parasuram express. And boy!!! Was that train crowded or what!!! We had fun …sitting squeezed by each other..and having people standing in between our legs as well!! Hehe…. What a sight it was!! I couldn’t wait to get back and tell everyone about the wonderful time I had that weekend!!



I hope you guys enjoyed with me as well!! From my next entry I would take you through my time with each of those friends who bid farewell to the show..one by one… down my lovely memory lane….!!



Stay with me folks!!



Coming up next: My experience with the little darling and the beautiful dame of SSG…



Till then…Keep smiling…and Keep browsing!! :-)



Adios!



SSG (space) Rashmi

#3: Melody 'Bytes'

[Discaimer: Those of you who are new to my blog, please read the entiries before this entry. The posts follow a reverse order so you would have to read the previous one's to keep the flow. Thankyou ]

“Would they like me??...would they talk to me??...would they think I have too much attitude just ‘cause I’m an NRI??...would they???”

This was what kept running in my mind the morning we had our very first grooming. Dad and I stayed at the hotel accommodation provided by AmritaTv. In the morning they had asked us to be ready by 7:00 and apparently a bus would come to pick us contestants up. Dad & I were ready and we went down to have breakfast. That’s when all the other contestants began appearing one by one. Only the girl contestants were in that hotel. The boys were apparently put up at some other place.

A tall, lean girl came up to me…smiled and said… “Hi! Ende peru roopa, entha peru? Ellaavareyum parijapedande?” Phew! I let a sigh of relief. As I finished introducing myself and getting to know a little about Roopa chechi, another girl came upto me and she began talking to me in English…and boy some polished English she spoke!!! Her name’s Divya, I had noticed her during the auditions thanks to her strikingly unique voice! She seemed like a smart and intelligent lady! The third person to talk to me was Teena. But once we intro’d ourselves I realsied that she is a little quite. Or maybe she is not comfortable talking away on the first day itself! Hehe!!

After waiting for an hour the bus finally arrived and took us to the AmritaTv studio in Karumam. Nice big studio it was. And that’s where we met the guys. Once there I saw Sruthi and Jeetu and then with them I began talking to the others…or trying to rather! J

Anand then came up to me and asked me if I had taken part in Indian Idol….oh kay…someone knows me!! Yay!! I was soo happy! J We spoke for a while and then this other lad came up and asked me where in UAE did I stay. I told him Sharjah and he was like.. “Hey I was there to ofor a while till 8th grade….do you know Lata aunty? She taught me music there..”… I was like “WHAT??? Lata Murli aunty??? Of course I know her.. we’re really good family friends!!” Wow …what a small world!! Oh by the way that young lad’s name is Deepak.

All of us were then taken in the bus to Kovallam, Udaya Samudra Beach Resort. That’s where we were going to be briefed. I was still yet to find out the names and other details of soo many more people. Well god alone knows how long I’d be with them so the sooner I get to know them the better! Hehe!! We had about an hour’s gap before briefing. So all of us ate and while the parents were busy talking amongst themselves the contestants were interacting with one another. I felt bad leaving my dad alone for a while ‘cause he also was new to the place but he didn’t mind! Sruthi and I walked up to this group where Anand was trying to make a few others sing a harmony. We also joined in…it was fun!! We were singing the AmritaTv anthem… lokah…samastah…sukino…bhavantu…! Each of us singing in parts! Anand and Deepak I had spoken to but the girl and the other boy I had just found out their names… Oh god!! I forgot.. what was it again? Yea.. Latha…and Praveen. Latha seems like a pretty talkative girl…but Praveen…hmmm…hard to tell…is he shy? Or does he think too much of himself?? Well too early to say anything…let’s wait and watch!

After the wonderful briefing we were taken back to the studio. Oh and we got the bad news that Swathy had to back out due to the clash between shoot dates and her school schedule. I kind of expected it ‘casue she had told me about it during the time we met for the 2nd auditions. I felt bad though. Was really looking forward to meeting her. And Kavita was taken in place of her. Then Akash, that sweet Bengali boy from Bangalore was also brought in as a wild card entry! So now we were 21 of us!

Once back to the studio the parents were asked to leave while we began our grooming session. While we waited for George sir to arrive all of us began talking to each other again. That’s when I found the names of all the other participants. Didn’t get to talk much to them since I was all the time with Sruthi and Anand right in the front of the class…yea we had chairs put up like we were in a class room and unlike the usual case this time we front benchers were making the maximum noise! J Hehe!

Our first day’s grooming with George sir went off really well!! He spoke to us like we were his close friends and made us feel extremely comfortable. Told us about all his experiences and shared some real valuable tips to help us improve our singing. He heard each of sing individually and analysed the way we sang it. Due to time constraint he could just hear a para but still the tips he gave all of us were awesome!

The we were waiting for “the moment”…..a glimse of Stephen Chettan!!! My heart was pounding!!! No jokes!! After a year of going “gaga” on his performances on screen…I was actually going to see this dude…forget see…I was going to be singing to his music!!!! WOOOOOOWWWW!!!!! AM I EXCITED OR WHAT?????? All the girls were going crazy while all the guys laughed at us! Ok he’s handsome so they were a little jealous I guess…hehe!! ;-)

We queued up for our turn to practice with him. I went in and saw him…the on and only Stephen Chettan. He looked up…smiled and asked me.. “Etha paatu?”… I was like.. “Eh?? Entha?” .. and kept giving those cheesy star-struck smiles! Then our Producer Sateesh ettan asked me again which song I was going to sing and I told him “Raakendu Kiranangal” . Apparently Stephen Chettan hadn’t heard it. I started singing and then he kept saying “Ah..ha… “..and “oh ..ho…” throughout and once I stopped he was like.. “what a composition!” … I smiled…thanked him…he wished me luck and I walked out again with that cheesy smile on my face! I saw Anand giving me that “how was it “ smile.. and I just said “ Man…HE is the most simple and down-to-earth…humble guy I have ever seen!!”… I’ll always treasure my first encounter with this musical genius!! J

That was the end of the first grooming session. Each of us kept listening to our first songs and yea… we got to know our singing order for the shoot…I was singing 1st !!! OH NO!!! great!! I was thinking to myself..”Don’t they want people to watch this show?? Why on earth am I going first???? Can’t the put someone else!!!”.. Well then dad was like.. the earlier you get over with the song the better.. atleast you don’t have to face the tension of listening to the others sing and then creat expectations in your mind!! Yea.. He was right.. it was better to get over with it!!



The melody rounds began…and week after week each of us got pretty used to seeing everyone every weekend and then went back to our respective homes during the week to practice. We just kept singing…judges came…judges went… we attended grooming…and every week we kept seeing the 21 bright ..talented faces! Until reality dawned… elimination week was nearing…

Every week Sateesh ettan used to give us the good news that no one would get eliminated that week. But then towards end of August there were rumours that The coming week there was going to be an elimination….and what was worse… not one person btu 2 people were going to get eliminated.



Time for a reality check guys…this is a relity show after all…and we can’t stick on to one another forever now can we?? Hmm…best thing was not to think about it. I tried my level best to keep the tension off everyone’s faces and minds. Little did we know that a really wonderful event awaited all of use before the week of elimination…..what was that???



Coming up in my next entry: Onam Live Show’s experience….the highs and the lows of that night will be out for all of you to read….just be little more patient…Hehe!! J

Hope all of you were with me…

Until my next entry….Keep smiling & Keep browsing!!!

Adios!

SSG (space) Rashmi