The Wonder boy of Arunachal Pradesh

Nine final acts were confirmed for the second season or ‘Khoj 2’ of the popular reality show ‘India’s Got Talent’. The finalists include six performances chosen by the nation and three by the judges’ choice. The talented performers chosen by the nation are Punjab’s Sikh Martial Arts Group - Bir Khalsa; Drummer - Toko Teji the wonder boy of Arunachal Pradesh; Shillong Chamber Choir from Meghalaya; Fictitious Dance Group from Mumbai; Sonjoy Mondol Group from Kolkata and popping and locking expert, Harihar Dash from Orissa. The talented acts hand-picked by the judges are the dancing duo, Diwakar and Sonia from Delhi; sand artists from Orissa - Manas Kumar Sahoo and Group and Underground Authority – rock band from Kolkata.

“Almost everything I’ve done, I’ve done through my own creativity. I don’t think I ever had to listen to anyone else to learn how to play drums. I wish I could say that for about ten thousand other drummers,” says Toko Teji.

The quote here has been well versed and fits with the wonder boy of Arunachal Pradesh Toko Teji who with his drumming has gone all the way to stardom making the unaccounted state (in terms of local talent) swell with pride as one of her sons has made it to the finals of India’s biggest reality show –India’s Got Talent. The pride can be doubled for the fact that Teji is only 18 years old while the show is open to all.

The wonder boy of Arunachal Pradesh, Toko Teji who is an 18-year-old music prodigy, is a Class XII student of Assam Valley School, Balipara and the eldest son of the proud parents Toko Jyoti and Toko Yaza who hail from Naharlagun near Itanagar. Teji’s accomplishments are commendable given that he has had no formal training and learnt the art simply by listening to audios of legendary drummers. His first priority is to complete Class XII, and to form his own music band. He even dreams of performing in New York’s Broadway Theatre. Teji’s electric speed on the drums matches his talent academically. A proud uncle Toko Tatung informs that Teji, who is now in class XII, notched 85% in his class X examination, which in no way is a small achievement.

Teji who missed the Guwahati auditions for India’s Got Talent Khoj-2 sent over a video-recording of himself playing drums. The talent couldn’t be missed by the organizers and he was selected. From there on there was no looking back! Performing before judges Kiron Kher, Sonali Bendre and Sajjid Khan now, the past is history.

The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Dorjee Khandu appreciating Teji’s talent announced 10 lakh as an incentive for the young prodigy who won laurels for Arunachal Pradesh in one of India’s largest talent hunt show – India Got Talent Khoj 2 telecast on the Colours channel. The Chief Minister said that despite being so young Teji has spread the name of Arunachal Pradesh all over the country and assured all possible help to him in his endeavor to achieve success. Never before has any Arunachalee won such fame and accolades for the state the way that Teji has by displaying his skills in one of the most famous talent hunt shows,” the Chief Minister said.

In his message to the young generation of the state, the Chief Minister called upon them to take a cue from Teji and work towards the glory of the state in their field of liking and the state government would equally support them too.

As for Toko Teji even if he does not make it to the top of the talent show, he is a budding drummer to watch out for.