April 27, 2008
Dubai: Mangalore’s Umer Saif is about to hit the headlines in the singing world. That is only if his good luck continues for some more time. Despite being pitted against some fine singers in the Sa-re-ga-ma-pa Middle East Pakistan Challenge, Umer has survived and managed to enter the top 12 stage in the singing challenge now. Saif quickly admits that after all the struggle, there is more uncertainty and battles ahead if he has to win. There are various singers from Bahrain, Pakistan, U.A.E, Oman and other countries in the competition and everyone wants to be on the top. Where will Saif end?
Denzil Fernandes met Saif at the Bearys Cultural Forum Chammana 2008 held at the Intercontinental Hotel on Friday where he impressed with his fine singing. Appearing like a rock star with an off white sports blazer, his rendering of the ‘dar de disco’ number especially brought the audience to cheer in one thunderous unison.
“It is a great experience to take part in the singing challenge. I have made a lot of friends from different countries and although some of them like Pakistan’s Raza who came from Qatar and Shubra from Bahrain have been eliminated we are in regular touch. There is still Zubair from Pakistan and Asma from Oman along with me apart from others in the competition. All of us have become like one big family.”
Born in 1985 in Kudroli, the commerce graduate did a lot of singing in Mangalore and was encouraged by his college friends to a great extent. So much so, he went all the way to Calcutta to qualify for the Sony Indian Idol 2 reality show but came back with his hopes dashed. But his friend and RJ at Mangalore’s Radio Mirchi, Sahil Zahir was instrumental in pushing Saif to try his utmost in achieving his goal to become a top singer.
Immediately after graduation, the trip to Dubai paved the way in a lucky manner. First came the employment at a 5 star hotel and then a chance entry sent by his friend on his behalf to the Sa-re-ga-ma-pa Middle East Pakistan Challenge got him an opportunity to participate. There was no looking back for the youngster and Saif today stands with a great chance of hitting big in the singing world.
Saif is also a sound engineer who dabbles in mixing, recording and the like. He knows that the results in the competition are unpredictable in such type of contests. But he thanks his groomers from the show, where Sanjay and Mukesh have helped him to come up to a great competitive level. “The groomers have taught me to change my style, presentation, appearance and so many singing aspects which have helped me to become a complete singer now.” What the judges at the show, Suresh Wadkar and Adesh Srivastava think of Saif in the future rounds depends on the performance of the youngster in the remaining stages of the singing challenge.
When asked if he stood a chance to win the challenge, Saif was hesitant but said that with a bit of luck anything could happen. All Mangalore with hail Saif with a melodious tune if only he comes out with flying colours. Only time will tell !
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