Takhellambam Mandakini Devi- a visually challenged artiste and  James Riamei both from Manipur were adjudged as the best singers of Sursangam, the first ever musical reality show of Doordarshan in North East India.

Dr. Mohan Lal Brahma, Vice Chancellor of Bodoland University graced the opening function as the Chief Guest in the presence of Mr. C. Lalrosanga, ADG, (North Eastern Region), Doordarshan, Mr. Tyagrajan, DDG(E), Doordarshan, Guwahati and Mr. D.N. Basumatari, Director, PPC (NE) and Doordarshan Kendra Guwahati.

The innovative reality show involved over 350 participants in the age group of 16 to 26 from all the states of the region.

The innovative reality show was designed and executed by the Programme Production Centre (North East), Doordarshan involving over 350 participants in the age group of 16 to 26 from all the states of the region.

“The preliminary rounds of Sursangam took place in all 11 Doordarshan Kendras of the Northeast including the PPC (NE). The elimination round of the competition was held in the studios of PPC (NE), Doordarshan, Guwahati from 12th to 21st September, 2011,” informed D.N. Basumatary, Director of Doordarshan Guwahati and  PPC North East.

Sursangam carried cash awards of `1,00,000 each for the winners in the categories of Hindi Melody and Western Songs, while `75,000 was awarded to the runners - up of each category. At the same time, `50,000 was offered to the second runner - up of Hindi Melodies while `20,000 each was awarded as consolation prizes to the 4th position holder of Hindi Melodies and the 3rd position holder of English songs.

All the first prizes in Hindi and Western categories besides the 1st runner - up of Hindi melodies were sponsored by the State Bank of India. The Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. offered the cash prizes for the 1st runner - up of Western music and the 2nd runner - up of Hindi melodies. The GLP Social Circle and Sangma Entertainment from Meghalaya sponsored the consolation prizes for both the categories.

All the contesting singers enthralled the audience of the Grand Finale of Sursangam which was taken to a great height by the mesmerizing performance of Jeetu-Tapan as they conducted music in their evergreen Assamese number of Md. Rafi ‘Asomire Chutalate’ beautifully presented by Akhtar Hussain. Pranamika Goswami and Pranjal Kalita also presented two numbers under the music direction of Jeetu-Tapan to the utter delight of the audience. The cultural programme came to an end with the singing of Paul Robson’s “We are in the same boat brother” the song made popular by the legendary singer Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.

Salil Saran, GM (North East Circle), State Bank of India and Mr. T.K.Bhowmik, DGM, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. awarded the winners with cash prizes while Mr. G.L. Agarwala, Chairman, GLP Social Circle and Mr. C. Lalrosanga, ADG, (North Eastern Region), Doordarshan awarded the consolation prizes on behalf of GLP Social Circle and Sangma Entertainment, respectively.

Earlier DN Basumatari welcomed the guests, contestants, judges, sponsors, audience and the viewers of the live telecast of the event and gave a brief account of the effort of staging Sursangam to provide the platform of Doordarshan to the budding musical talents of the North East region.

The entire programme of Sursangam was telecast in PPC (NE), Doordarshan in an even number of 36 episodes prior to the live telecast of the Grand Finale.  The contest began after a minute’s silence was observed as a mark of tribute to the two stalwarts of the region Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and Dr. Mamoni Raison Goswami who passed away in the month of November, 2011.

EP desk