 "Music Katha Ha"  "Music Pitae ha "  Lover Boy Amit |
'Amit Paul' mania grips India (Shillong)
Text: John W Thabah in Shillong | Photographs: Sanjib Bhattacharjee
Support for Amit Paul has swelled up in Shillong as the clock ticks towards the third season finale of Sony Entertainment Television's hit reality show, Indian Idol.
The local lad, who dropped out of high school to fulfill his dream of becoming a singer, has cast a spell on the people of Shillong and Meghalaya with his voice and persona.
Fans are high on 'Amit mania,' with the euphoria catching up from four-year-olds to the aged with their eyes glued to their television set every Friday night to watch hiM perform.
'Amit Paul' mania grips Shillong
Amit's father Dipak Paul, who runs a small garment shop in Shillong's busy Police Bazar, says he is satisfied with the overwhelming support for his son.
"I did not expect such support for Amit which transcends all community barriers," Dipak says, adding that it is a clear indication that the Shillong boy had captured the mind and soul of Shillongites.
In the picture: Amit Paul, clad in Khasi traditional dress, performs at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong, on September 3.
Dipak Paul says he had wanted Amit to pursue his studies but "everything
changed as Amit dropped out of school to fulfill his dream of a singing
career."
Jaya Paul, Amit's mother, adds she is praying each day for his success while
she mentions that she was nervous when her son was placed in the 'Danger Zone'
in the initial part of the contest.
The Meghalaya government recently appointed Amit Paul as its Brand Ambassador for Peace and Harmony.
State Chief Minister D D Lapang invited Amit to his office to hand over the certificate when the singing sensation visited Shillong on September 3.
Everywhere in Shillong, even in smaller towns of Meghalaya, people are
coming out in Amit'S support, appealing to others to vote for him.
State legislators have sponsored phone booths in the city and other parts of
the state so that people can send SMS votes for Amit.
I love Amit's voice and I don't mind spending even a hundred bucks to send
SMS votes for him," says Shillong resident Gerald M Mawlong.
Another fan from Mawlai, Cordelia Lyngdoh, says Shillong and the North East
have been brought closer to the Indian mainland through Amit.
The Shillong Arts and Music Lovers Forum, SAMLF, is the main campaigner for Amit and has held processions and publicity campaigns for him.
All over the city, huge posters displaying a smiling Amit have been put up.
'You can take the boy out of Shillong but not Shillong out of the boy,' says a
hoarding at the Khyndai Lad junction in the Police Bazar area.
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