The city nightingale

The competition has been a tough,roller-coaster ride for her. “All the contestants were so good and everyone was out to prove their mettle. The competition has been really tough. Of course,I too put up a tough fight,which is why I’ve made it to the top three finalists! But there were several instances when I thought that the opportunity to win is going to just pass me by or that I am going to blow it! Thankfully,that didn’t happen,” she reveals.

The show has given her some of the most memorable and challenging times. One can sense the excitement in her voice as she recounts the time when A R Rahman was on the show. “I was so excited,” she says,wonder-eyed. “He appreciated my singing and that turned out to be a very pretty lucky day for me overall,” she smiles,happy that her talent has helped her share the stage with renowned names in the world of music.

Abhilasha started training in classical music since the age of three and a half years. But some aspects of the show went beyond her training. “Like the time I had to sing a qawalli,” she says,adding,“I had never sung one before and I really thought I would be out of the show! I was nervous but then the public really supported me and I can’t thank them enough!”

Today her repertoire includes classical,Bollywood,rock,jazz and so on. “I have always been drawn to music and I have had a ear for it since I was little. On the show itself,I’ve sung a combination of tap and tango music with the song Udi,soft peppy numbers like Jaane Kyun Dil Jaanta Hai,and fun and naughty ones like Nazarein Milana. It has been a good opportunity for me to explore my own talent,” says she.

Abhilasha and the other two finalists Bisakh Jyoti from Kolkata and Kamal Khan from Patiala seem to have forgotten the difference between night and day what with the intensive practice sessions. “We are working really hard!” Abhilasha reveals. But obviously each one wants to outdo the other,right? “Frankly speaking,there is no competition between a girl and a guy. And since I’m the only girl,I’m not really facing any ‘competition’. But the boys are!” she smiles.

So as she has been established as the best girl singer on the show,we wonder what rhythmic course her future will take. As confident as she is about winning,she is also very sure of her plans. She says,“I plan to go to Chennai and do an MA in Carnatic music. At the same time,I want to compose music. Composing is one of my strengths.” And this sprightly youngster also wants to use her talent to reach out to the less fortunate sections of society. “I want my music to be like therapy for mentally challenged and underprivileged children. Music has the power to heal and I want to spread its joy where its most needed. I want to sing and make music especially for cancer patients too,” she smiles,adding,“I once performed at a children’s shelter in Pune and as soon as I started singing,all the kids calmed down and sat in a disciplined manner – something that the management had tried in vain to get them to do. Such is the power of music.”