Prashant Tamang (Nepali: प्रशान्त तामाङ) is a Kolkata-based singer and winner of Indian Idol season 3. He is the first contestant of Indian Nepalese origin to make it to the final rounds of Indian Idol and finally win. He is also the first person from the Indian police force to enter the final rounds. After the death of his father, Prashant, who was still in school, had to leave school and join Kolkata Police to support his family. He was a favorite to win the competition due to strong backing from the people of Nepalese origin and the Indian police force. Even as the results were yet to be announced on television, several news sources had reported Prashant's winning the competition.
Early years
Prashant Tamang was born in Tungsung, Darjeeling, West Bengal to Rupa Tamang and Late Madan Tamang. He spent most of his early life there and studied in St. Roberts school. After the demise of his father, Madan Tamang, in an accident, he joined the Kolkata Police Force, succeeding his father. In Kolkata Police, he sang for the police orchestra. His family includes his grandmother, mother and his sister.
According to the program commentary, Prashant tried out for Indian Idol because his friends and his seniors especially Mr. Zulfiqar Hasan, Special Additional Commissioner of Police(who incidentally also got Prashant's leave sanctioned for the competition) told him that his voice was very good. He auditioned in Kolkata He received mixed comments from judges after his performances. He is the only contestant to have never been in the bottom 3 or 4 of the galas. He made it to the top 2 of Indian Idol 3 along with Amit Paul, before eventually winning the title.
Media
Prashant Tamang has become a celebrity in West Bengal, Sikkim and Nepal. Prayers for his success are expressed even in website of Tamang Society. Nepalese and non-Nepalese newspapers, websites, forums, blogs etc are filled with stories related to him and support for him.
The mayor of Mirik, T.B. Rai, vowed to spend Rs.10,000 in SMS for voting Prashant and his staff have also vowed to spend a month's salary on SMS for voting Prashant. Police staff of India also vowed to spend a month's salary on SMS for voting Prashant. Nepalese people working in Brunei, UK, Hong Kong, UAE are reported to have been sent money to SMS for him.
Rallies were organized in Darjeeling and Kharsang in his support, some of which were attended by his sister, mother and grandmother. Pokhara, Nepal located Radio Annapurna 93.4 MHz campaigned for collecting donation and the collected sum of NRs.70000 was sent to Darjeeling through its representative to vote for Prashant. A signature campaign for his support was organized by Himalayan Darpan Newspaper of Darjeeling. Schools, clubs and police of West Bengal are found asking people to support Prashant who have named him 'पहाडको गौरभ Pahar ko Gaurav ' (Pride of the Hills). Sikkim Cabinet Minister G M Gurung and S B Subedi planted tree saplings at Singtam to pledge the Sikkimese support to Prashant and to show the unity between Nepalese community in Sikkim and Darjeeling." Lage Raho Prashant Bhai"
Support from Kolkata Police
Prashant a sepoy in the Kolkata Police was supported by the officials in Kolkata Police. Mr. Zulfiqar Hasan , visibly ecstatic with Prahsant's triumph, in his interview after the announcement of the result told the news agency that he was confident that Prashant would win and he and his team supported Prashant at every stage of the competition and in every possible way. According to reports, a couple of policemen even stayed awake through the nights to vote for Prashant. Mr.Hasan said, “Given the hard worker he is, Prashant deserved this title. He has no formal training in music, but he has been chosen the new Indian Idol. This proves how dedicated he is towards whatever he does.” Hasan further added, “We are really proud of the boy. He faced a lot of difficulties in life, but he never let the adversities deter him. Even after winning the contest, he has his head firmly placed on his shoulders.” All the officials of Kolkata Police congratulated Prashant after his victory, and they are now awaiting his arrival in Kolkata to give him a grand reception. “Our boys are ecstatic at Prashant's victory. There has been an atmosphere of great jubilation since the moment Prashant was chosen, and now we are looking forward to his homecoming”, said Hasan.
Live Performances
After winning the title of Indian Idol 3, Prashant Tamang performed in Pokhara, Nepal, on 30 September, 2007. More than 13000 people attended.
Prashant has also performed in four U.S. cities in December, 2007: Washington DC, Boston, New York and Atlanta.
Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prashant_Tamang
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