Early Times Report
Katra, Oct 22: The All India Devotional Song Competition, held as part of the Navratra Festival in Katra, is in full swing as it enters the quarter-final stage. The competition, organized by the SMVD Shrine Board, in association with J&K Tourism, Mh1, J&K Bank, Nice Gems, DIVINITI, Nidheesh Builders Jammu Pvt. Ltd., Pure Roots, and Vishwayatan Yog Ashram Complex, with the support of the District Administration and the local host community, aims to provide a platform for talented singers from across India while promoting tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chairman of the All Indian Devotional Song Committee, Rakesh Wazir, spoke to the media about the event and highlighted the presence of esteemed film personalities who will serve as judges and performers in the competition’s finals.
The judging panel includes prominent figures from the film industry:
• Ganesh Jain: Former SMVD Shrine Board member & Managing Director of Venus World wide, with a filmography of over 50 movies.
• Pahlaj Nihalani: Former Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification, a film-maker with more than 40 movies to his credit, known for introducing actors like Govinda, Chinky Panday, and Neelam.
• Shankar Sahney: A leading singer in the film industry, known for songs and the Maha Mrityunjay Mantra, which has garnered a record-breaking 35 crore views.
• Rishi Raj: Film-maker.
• Kumar Mohan: Film-maker and film trade analyst.
• Poonam Sinha: Renowned former actress and wife of famous actor Shatrugan Sinha.
The finals of the Navratra Festival’s All India Devotional Song Competition are scheduled for October 23. The event will be telecast live on Mh1 from 9 PM onwards and is open to the public, with free entry at Yog Ashram Complex, Katra, where the competition takes place.
The competition has a significant track record of contributing to the Indian film industry by providing a launching pad for several notable singers, such as Himani Kapoor, Sonali Dogra, Mool Raj, Naveen Punjabi, Rajan Gill, Ravi Kumar, Sanjeet Kumar, Anjusha, Vanshkia Jaral, and Ananya. Many of these winners have made their mark in the industry, featuring in various films and reality shows.
The competition offers substantial prizes, with the first prize being Gold worth Rs 3 Lakh, along with a recording contract with Venus World Wide for the winner. The second and third prizes are Rs 1 Lakh and Rs 50,000, respectively.
In the recent quarter-final round, 21 participants battled for their spot in the semi-finals. Those who advanced include Rajeev Salotra from Jammu, Anmol Raja from Hoshiarpur, Laisal Roy from Chandigarh, Shyam Sajan from Reasi, Reema from Kanyalal, Shubham Banerjee from Jammu, Aarav Wazir from Katra, Vanshika Dogra from Udhampur, Lalit Bhardwaj from Jammu, Aayati Sharma from Jammu, and Chetan Sanmotra from Katra. Special invitees to the event included famous previous winners and singers like Kiran Bawa and Ananya, who captivated the audience with their melodious performances.
Chairman Rakesh Wazir expressed his gratitude to the people and organizations involved in making this event a reality. The competition continues to be a prominent platform for showcasing talent and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. |
