21 December 2007

Prashant pics

I got hold of some Prashant Tamang photos when he was in Nepal and in the United States. These photos are not mine, but thought all Prashant Tamang fans should see it. It gives great pleasure to see our Nepali dai doing good.





























19 December 2007

Lyrics of Prashant' song Bir Bir Bir Gorkhali

Song Name: Bir Bir Bir Gorkhali
Album Name: Prashant Tamang - Dhanyavad
Singer Names: Prashant Tamang,
Lyricist Name:
Music Director:
Gorkhali Ko Choro Ma
Gorkhe Mero Naam
Aailaagne Satru Ko
Ma Garchu Kaam Tamaam

Itihaas Paltaai Hera Ya Purkhalai Sodha
Jitekai Chau Sansarlai
Aru Ko Jastai Dukhkha Cha Haamilai
Nirdayi Ta Hoinau Haami Pani

[Bir Bir Bir Gorkhali] - 2

Pahada Ko Choro Ma
Gorkhe Mero Naam
Kaile Pani Kaile Ghaam
Khole Shishnu Haamro Maam

Angaalchu Jaati Lai
Sangeet Ra Sanskar Lai
Garva Cha Malai Aafnaipanma
Gaauchu Pahadaima
Deushi Ra Bhailo Ma
Maato Ko Maya Chadai Cha Ni

[Bir Bir Bir Gorkhali] - 2

Gorkhali Ko Choro Ma
Gorkhe Mero Naam
Aailaagne Satru Ko
Ma Garchu Kaam Tamaam

Itihaas Paltaai Hera Ya Purkhalai Sodha
Jitekai Chau Sansarlai
Aru Ko Jastai Dukhkha Cha Haamilai
Nirdayi Ta Hoinau Haami Pani

[Bir Bir Bir Gorkhali] - 2

18 December 2007

Indian Idol Prashant Tamang Video - Zindagi Pehle Kabhi

Download Prashant Tamang Video - Zindagi Pehle Kabhi from the album Dhanyavad

Runtime: 3min 48sec
Video: MPEG4 Video (H264) 688x368 25.00fps
Audio: MPEG Audio Layer 3 48000Hz stereo

Download Link for Indian Idol Prashant Tamang Video:
Click here to Download!!

http://nepalisongsmp3.blogspot.com/2007/12/indian-idol-prashant-tamang-video.html

Low turnout at Tamang's US tour


Indo-Asian News Service
While the reigning Indian Idol Prashant Tamang had a good time on his four-city US tour that ended on Monday, the organisers were disappointed by the low turnout of Indian Americans at his concerts.

"At Tamang's New York performance, the audience of about 1,700 was predominantly Nepalis and Tibetans. Only about 30 Indian Americans attended," said Kashish, who managed the concert at the Jacob Javits Centre on December 8.

"The proportion of Indian Americans at the Atlanta concert on December 9 too was abysmal," he added.

"The tour that opened with concerts at Washington DC and Boston was not a financial success," Kashish said.

"But then profit was not our motive. It was to introduce him to the Nepali community here," he said.
Tamang himself said he had a good time on the tour as it was a dream come true for him. "Ever since I was a child, I had wanted to visit China and America," he said at a press conference in New York. "I will return to the US as a performer and a tourist," he added.

He said he was keen to learn more about singing techniques to improve his skills and was not averse to doing playback numbers for Bollywood. He has already released his album Dhanyavaad.

At the New York concert, the policeman-turned-music star sang 18 songs in Hindi and Nepali. His rendering of the Saawariya theme song was admired as was his stock number Yo Maan Ta Mero Nepali Ho. Raghav, who sang Angel Eyes, closed the concert.

In Atlanta, many joined Tamang on the stage towards the end of the concert.

Tamang's US tour was organised by Moonlight Records and PartyNepal.com.

The Darjeeling-born Kolkattan flew back to Mumbai, where he is currently based. Next, he was scheduled to perform in Nepal and Britain.

Tamang is expected to extend his leave from his police job to concentrate more on his music career.
In the wake of Tamang emerging winner of Indian Idol in September, an alleged insulting remark against him and Gurkhas by an RJ incited violence in Siliguri in West Bengal.

16 December 2007

Vote for Prakriti

Prakriti Giri Press Release in Darjeeling - Fan Club contact details

Prakriti Giri, our Beloved Chhote Ustaad

The Prakriti Giri Fan Club in Darjeeling was officially launched yesterday. The press was present. It was very kind of Sai Ratna School to provide one of its classroom to be used as the office. Yes the phone has been installed.

It was a moment of overwhelming Prakriti's musical career and experience. It was stated that she first started her classical vocal training when she was three and a half years old. Her mother, Mrs. Manju Giri spoke of her daughter to the press. The main guy behind Prakriti's singing ability was credited to Mr. Bomzon, a singer and composer, who recognized Prakriti's singing ability and hence instigated her parents to support her singing.

Prakriti's mom and Mr. Sharma thanked the Bal Vikas education system and informed that Bal Vikas grooms a child morally - it imparts moral education. Mrs. Rana, teacher Loreto Convent Darjeeling, spoke of Prakriti's excellent nature both in the field of singing and academics. She is a forerunner in both. Mrs. Rana sends her good wishes from the entire Loreto Convent (Darjeeling) family.

Prakriti's family and the Fan Club has requested all who love music and those who appreciates Prakriti's singing to vote for her by sending individual sms (details for sms etc. are on the right hand column under "Prakriti Giri Voting Details". Please inform everyone across India, abroad to support Prakriti Giri. Email everyone on your list, PLEASE!!!

Prakriti is the one with the talent and we should be proud of such a possession in our community. Shouldn't we support our little Girl? Of course we should!!!

You can read one of the Prakriti Giri newspaper article as a result of the Press release - This one is from The Telegraph

Thanks to the Media people!!

Oh yes, the the Prakriti Giri Fan Club Contact Details:

Add:
Prakriti Giri Fan Club Darjeeling

Sai Ratna School,
Below Chowrasta,
Darjeeling - 734101
India.

Phone: 9232540139

Email: prakritifanclubdarjeeling@gmail.com
prakritifanclubdarjeeling@rediffmail.com
Blog: http://prakritigiri.blogspot.com/ This Blog

Prakriti Giri Fan Club in Darjeeling

Darjeeling : Indian Idol has been long conquered. Now the hill people are getting ready for the next voting battle on the television screen.

This time the aim is to help 12-year-old local girl Prakriti Giri win Amul Star Voice of India—Chhote Ustaad, a televised talent-search contest for young singers.

In scenes reminiscent of the days before Prashant Tamang was voted Indian Idol, the office of Prakriti Giri Fan Club was formed in Darjeeling today. A blogspot — http://prakritigiri.blogspot.com — was also launched to let more people know about the young talent from the hills.

“I hope that the hill people will support my daughter just as they rallied behind Prashant,” said Prakriti’s mother Manju as she inaugurated the fan club office at Sai Ratna School at Chowrastha here.

Residents of Haridashatta in Darjeeling — Prakriti hails from that locality — have already started mobilising funds from the town. “We are in touch with our people in Bangalore, Sikkim and Kalimpong too,” said T.R. Sharma, a neighbour of the Giris.

During the Indian Idol contest, Nepali-speaking people from across the globe had supported Prashant by sending lakhs of votes through phone calls and text messages. Prakriti, who is currently among the Top 12 contestants in Chhote Ustaad, will need votes as well as the judges’ verdict to go in her favour to remain in the fray once the elimination round starts from December 21.

According to the rules of the contest, one can send only 20 votes per contestant from a particular mobile/landline number during the voting period that follows each episode of Chhote Ustaad in Star Plus. Voting lines are open for nearly a week after the show is telecast on Friday and Saturday.

Source: The Telegraph

15 December 2007

Prashant Tamang Dhanyavad music album


Honestly, I really didn't want to update this blog with Prashant Tamang's new album keeping in mind the promotion, but heck, its all over the net and you know we can't stop it. Anyways, Sony is getting richer and richer with a little that is to be given to Prashant.

So here you are with Prashant Tamang's new album "Dhanyavad"! I have bought a copy and its not expensive. Make it a point to buy one!

Tracklist from Prashant Tamang's Dhanyavad Album:
01. Dhanyavad - Zindagi Pehle Kabhi
02. Dhanyavad - Deewana
03. Dhanyavad - Chain Aur Sukoon
04. Dhanyavad - Dekha Hai Aise Bhi
05. Dhanyavad - Musu Musu
06. Dhanyavad - Hoga Tumse Pyara Kaun
07. Dhanyavad - Bir Gorkhali
08. Dhanyavad - Nepali Ho
09. Dhanyavad - Hijo Samma
10. Dhanyavad - Zindagi Pehle Kabhi (Video Edit)
11. Dhanyavad - Zindagi Pehle Kabhi (Winning Performance)

Download link for Prashant Tamang's music album Dhanyavad:
Option I
Click here to Download!

Option II
Click here to Download!

Indian Americans disappoint Indian Idol Tamang

Indian Americans disappoint Indian Idol TamangNew York, Dec 12 (IANS) While the reigning Indian Idol Prashant Tamang had a good time on his four-city US tour that ended Monday, the organisers were disappointed by the low turnout of Indian Americans at his concerts.

"At Tamang's New York performance, the audience of about 1,700 was predominantly Nepalis and Tibetans. Only about 30 Indian Americans attended," said Kashish, who managed the concert at the Jacob Javits Centre Dec 8.

"The proportion of Indian Americans at the Atlanta concert Dec 9 too was abysmal," he added.

"The tour that opened with concerts at Washington DC and Boston was not a financial success," Kashish said.

"But then profit was not our motive. It was to introduce him to the Nepali community here," he said.

Tamang himself said he had a good time on the tour as it was a dream come true for him. "Ever since I was a child, I had wanted to visit China and America," he said at a press conference in New York. "I will return to the US as a performer and a tourist," he added.

He said he was keen to learn more about singing techniques to improve his skills and was not averse to doing playback numbers for Bollywood. He has already released his album titled "Dhanyavaad".

At the New York concert, the policeman-turned-music star sang 18 songs in Hindi and Nepali. His rendering of the "Saawariya" theme song was admired as was his stock number "Yo Maan Ta Mero Nepali Ho". Raghav, who sang "Angel Eyes", closed the concert.

In Atlanta, many joined Tamang on the stage towards the end of the concert.

Tamang's US tour was organised by Moonlight Records and PartyNepal.com.

The Darjeeling-born Kolkattan flew back to Mumbai, where he is currently based. Next, he was scheduled to perform in Nepal and Britain.

Tamang is expected to extend his leave from his police job to concentrate more on his music career.

In the wake of Tamang emerging winner of Indian Idol in September, an alleged insulting remark against him and Gurkhas by an RJ incited violence in Siliguri in West Bengal.

http://nowrunning.com/news/news.aspx?it=13088

11 December 2007

Indian Idol Prashant Tamang & Other Nepalese Indian Heroes

Prashant Tamang, an Indian of Nepalese origin, once again
gave Nepalese around the world reason to be proud of our
glorious past. By profession a policeman and singer,
Prashant is the first contestant of Nepalese-Indian origin
to win the coveted title "Indian Idol 2007".

India's modern history is not complete without calling up
the names of many brave and talented Indians of Nepalese
origin. Many of us are unaware that the
composer of India's national anthem and the song 'Jana Gana
Mana', was the late Capt. Ram Singh Thakur, also of
Nepalese origin.

During the Indian Independence Movement, thousands of
Nepalese and Indians of Nepalese origin fought the
colonial British Raj and sacrified their lives for
the freedom of India. Nepalese Indian martyrs Major Durga
Malla (executed in Old Delhi Jail, near Delhi Gate-August
24, 1944) and Capt. Dalbahadur Thapa
(executed at Central jail, near Lal Killa, Delhi-May 3,
1945) were among the Indians who were executed by British
Raj.

77 years ago (1930) when Mahatma Gandhi launched his famous
Salt Satyagraha (Salt March), the most inspiring event in
the history of the freedom movement of India, there were
two Nepalese (Mahavir Giri and Kharag Bahadur Singh Giri)
among 78 other satyagrahha marchers.

2500 years ago, Gautam Buddha, who is known as 'Light of
Asia', was born in Lumbini, Nepal but his enlightenment was
attained in Bodh Gaya, India. Most of
his life-long preaching took place in Northern India and
thus enriched the ancient Indian philosophy by spreading
the message of love and peace.

Cheers,

Pradeep Thapa

Editor, NepalDirectory.Org, NepalWhoisWho.Org,
NepalAbroad.Org

Prashant and Charu in GANGTOK

I want to say thanks everywhere'

That disappointment is echoed by Prashant Tamang.

"I feel a lot of sorrow for not being able to meet with my family. I meeting them today for the first time since my win," says the current Indian Idol.

"I feel sad that I have not been able to go back to my gaon."

"I want to go to my house. I want to go everywhere. I want to go all over and say thanks to everyone but there is all this work and albums to do. I need to find some time."

Rediff.com caught up with the singer in Gangtok, Sikkim, where he had come to perform a thank you concert for all his Sikkimese fans. He has been on the road since 5 am -- he gave a few concerts in Nepal before arriving here -- but cheerfully meets the fans non-stop.

Apparently his handlers questioned the wisdom of him doing a glorious homecoming tour. A racist remark by a Delhi-based radio jockey about Gorkhas saw 5,000 people take to the streets in Siliguri, which sparked off violence between Nepalis and non-Nepalis. The army had to be called in. With the call for a separate Gorkhaland state once again finding momentum in West Bengal, Darjeeling and its surroundings is less peaceful these days.

Here in Sikkim, Prashant is surrounded by family, above. Hordes of uncles, aunts, cousins, grannies, just in from Darjeeling, all dressed in their Sunday best, float ecstatically around the boy who has brought the Tamang clan unimaginable prestige. The Tamangs are incidentally a prominent ethnic group from Nepal who follow Tibetan Buddhism although they observe some Hindu rituals. Prashant's relatives are a simple, friendly bunch.

He had a gana ka duty'



His mother Roopa and younger sister Archana have also come from Darjeeling.

Archana, pretty in a royal blue silk Tibetan costume, goes to college in Darjeeling. Being the sister of the immensely popular Prashant has certainly made college life quite different since October, she acknowledges shyly.

Roopa Tamang, very soft-spoken and gentle, says with special emotion, "I feel a lot of happiness and I would like to acknowledge all the people, our pahadi log and everyone else who voted for him on SMS..."

"From a child he had a shok (passion) for singing. He has been singing ever since he was a small boy. He had a gana ka duty. Uska sapna tha ki ek din woh gana mein jayega (He has an obligation towards singing. He dreamed of one day following a career in singing.)"

Post-Indian Idol 3 Roopa has been Prashant's ambassador meeting the multitudes who come by to express their sheer joy over his win.

"Since his win everybody has been coming. Everybody is welcome in my house. Everybody has sent SMS-es and everyone has come to give their congratulations," she explains.

Prashant too is full of gratitude. "After the final my life has not really has changed. It is just that I don't get time. There are recordings. Time goes. There have been two to three shows. I don't get time to get out much. My fan 'public' has grown. It is wonderful to have so many fans. I am very grateful for their pyaar and mohabbat."

Bigger than god!'



Do the Toong Soong neighbours know how life has changed for the Tamang family?

Beena Debroy, right, who also lives in rented quarters in Pradhan Cottage with her daughter Surobhi, left (they have settled here from Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh, for a year so Surobhi can write her ICSE exam; there are no ICSE schools in her hometown) says, "Outwardly their life (the Tamangs') does not seem to have changed too much. They are very down to earth people. If I can afford only this one outfit (gestures to her kurta) or two, you can see that they now have more clothes to wear."

Says Sapna Pradhan, "They are very simple people. He is a very seedha ladka. Does not say much. Not much has changed. Indian Idol has only made their life much more busy and their routines have changed. But they have not changed." The Pradhans are not certain if the Tamang family plans to continue to live in Pradhan Cottage.

Much has changed for the Tamangs's neighbours though. Plenty of reporters, especially from the Nepali media, traipse down to Pradhan Cottage looking for Prashant or his family and just find a locked door.

"At least 15 to 20 journalists have come. Zee has come. Aaj Tak has come. And, of course, Sony has come," catalogues Beena Rai who seems to make it her business to keep track of events.

"It's a lucky house for them!" she emphasises. There are even plans to name the road leading to Pradhan Cottage as Prashant Road his neighbours tell you.

But fans outnumber the media any day and almost daily fans -- students, policeman and more -- pop by to see "Prashant's building." Many of these fans come all the way from Nepal and leave disappointed, but with at least a picture of his door.

Says Beena Rai, "They come from all over. Gangtok, Sikkim, Shillong, Arunachal Pradesh..."

"They hope he will be there, take pictures and go away," explains Debendra Pradhan.

Beena Rai vividly remembers the last time Tamang was in Darjeeling when he had already reached the semifinal on Indian Idol. "It was September 5 and at about 12.20 at night. We saw lights and then we saw him coming. There was dancing and a big welcome and he came home. I was wearing a maxi just like this one but I quickly got out a khada (silk cloth for garlanding, customary in these parts), rushed down, wrapped it around his neck and gave him my blessing. I had to! Garva lagta hai. One Nepali boy has become popular. Bigger than god."

The Pradhans too cannot forget Prashant's last two visits to Darjeeling. When he came to Pradhan Cottage after initially gaining a place in Indian Idol 3 he spent a lot of time in their home, playing with their seven-year-old, Loreto Convent-going daughter Sudhiksha, for whom his Zindagi Pehle Kabhi Itni Hasin Kahan song is a favourite.

But the next time he came, in September, it was pure chaos. Says Debendra, "There were at least 20,000 people standing at the Chowrasta (the main square of Darjeeling) watching him and there was no room to even squeeze past anyone. It took me an hour just to get to my home from the Chowrasta (five minutes away). And we did not get a chance to even talk to him."

The welcome Prashant received on his last trip to Darjeeling was nothing like anyone has seen before in these parts. He was literally mobbed by the enormous throngs of well-wishers for whom he was bigger than a pop star. A shy, dutiful Nepali boy from a modest family has brought more esteem to the community than any other individual in decades.

The Pradhans are certain that Prashant -- after one year doing assignments for Sony -- will eventually return to the police force and probably become the face of the police band nationally.

But there is great disappointment among the residents of Pradhan Cottage on not being to meet him since his win. "He should have come here. We want to welcome him. People are saying it would be good if he came and met with his people and those who are close to him. Why is he not coming?" asks Beena Rai.

Prashant's house


The best of doors


A helpful neighbour Beena Rai pops out of one of the tiny, neat homes to assure you that you have indeed reached Prashant Tamang's home.

She obligingly takes you to a locked door decorated with a Buddhist-style toran (curtain) and tells you that many people like to take a picture of this closed door and you could too.

Clicked, see image below.

"The family has not been here for a while. We don't exactly know where they are. They said his mother and sister was with him in Calcutta."

RIGHT

It is a tiny two-room home virtually part of a tenement. Ten to 12 families live here in modest circumstances. Ever since Tamang joined the West Bengal police force he has worked out of Kolkata and not lived in Darjeeling.

His family -- his mother and younger sister Archana; the second sister is married and lives in Kolkata --- began renting the place for Rs 1,500 per month, just about a year ago.

Prior to that they lived in different parts of Darjeeling, including for a time at the police lines, and seemed to have changed homes frequently. Madan Tamang, also a policeman, died when Prashant and his sisters were very young -- Prashant was about nine -- and his mother had a rather hard time making ends meet until Prashant got his police job. Prashant was studying in St Robert's, Darjeeling, located quite close to the Mall, at the time but had to give up his education to join the force.

prashant in USA, Manhatten


More than three thousand Nepali Americans attended the show. Prashant seemed to be overwhelmed by the response.

Prakriti photo

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Prakriti Giri Photos

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