Shillong boy storms into finals of India’s Got Talent, Season 4
By Ibankyntiew Mawrie
SHILLONG: Setting out with the belief that music can break all language barriers, Shillong’s very own Toshanbor Singh Nongbet stormed into the finals of the reality show – India’s Got Talent, Season 4.
When Toshan sang the famous operatic number ‘Nessun Dorma’ by Puccini from the Italian opera Turandot, the judges, film maker Karan Johar and actors Kirron Kher and Malaika Arora Khan said they got goose bumps even though they did not understand the words.
It was a different kind of music for an Indian audience. Toshan himself believes that opera, though not understood by the common man, has the ability to melt the hearts of many. “The depth and essence of this kind of music crosses all barriers”, Toshan told The Shillong Times here on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old youth who secured the highest number of votes in the semi finals is all set to take his next big step in the upcoming pre-finals of IGT. If he wins, Toshan will be the second competitor from Meghalaya to hit the jackpot. In 2010 the Shillong Chamber Choir stole the hearts of the audience and walked away with the prize money. The pre-finals will be held in the second week of November in Mumbai.
Toshan fondly called ‘Toto’ is the second child of Dr RS Thangkhiew and Dr P Nongbet. He finished his schooling and 10+2 from St Edmund’s School and later joined St Anthony’s College, BA Music (Honours) from where he graduated earlier this year.
Toshan’s fascination for Opera music maestros happened when he heard Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti singing. “It was then that I realized that I had it in me and that I too can do this with proper training and sing like Pavarotti”, he added.
He joined Aroha Choir in 2011 and had received training in this music genre from its conductor Pauline Warjri. “I was groomed very well by my music teacher Pauline Warjri and I owe everything to her”, Toshan said adding that besides his mom and family, she has been his main supporter.
A nostalgic Toshan said his father didn’t approve of his choice and interest in opera at first. “He was possibly worried about my future but gradually, I believe I have done him and my family proud”, he added.
Sharing the experience of his performance in the semi-finals, Toshan said that the song, Meri Maa (from the movie Tare Zameen Par first sung by Shanker) later combined with an opera number was especially dedicated to his mother. “I was thinking about my mom all through the performance; it was an emotional moment for me because when I look back, since the day I auditioned, my mom was there to drive away the fear and nervousness and instill confidence in me”, Toshan said.
About his next performance, Toshan said “I will give it my best shot because I really want my performance to become a breakthrough for opera in the state and the country as a whole.” He was confident that in the coming ten years, there will be opera theatres in all the major cities of the country. “It will be more like Opera and a bit of Indian masala, the classical Indian music blending well with the western music and producing something rare and beautiful”, he added.
Toshan said if he wins the title, he would like to pursue his study in opera at Italy and then return to impart training in this kind of music to the youth of the state. “I believe that with the new music academy proposed to be set up by the state government, opera will also be included in one of the courses”, he added.
Meanwhile, Toshan’s father Dr RS Thangkhiew said “As a father, I am very proud of my son. I never expected that he would make it thus far. It is Toshan’s very own initiative to enter the competition.”. “We were informed about it only a day before the audition and were taken by surprise but we supported him all through. This time, I will go with him to Mumbai, though I missed his performance at the auditions and the semi-finals”, Dr Thangkhiew said.
Interestingly, Dr Thangkhiew also mentioned that he had received phone calls from music lovers and organizers from outside the country who have been watching the show and have even asked for the profile of Toshan. “I am hopeful that he will win and pursue opera in Italy”, the determined father said.
On the same note, Aroha Choir mentor Pauline Warjri has expressed her happiness over Toshan’s achievement adding that this is an inspiration for the budding singers of the state and other talented youth to be part of this national event.
“This is a good chance for him to win this title as he is a very gifted singer. As of now, it is just raw talent which needs to be channelized but Toshan has great potentials”, Warjri said adding that as a mentor, she is re-arranging what he needs to sing and has been busy writing songs for him to perform in the upcoming finals.
When asked whether the Shillong Chamber Choir will be sponsoring for votes, Warjri said “Of course, they will and they are still working on it.” Meanwhile, Shillong Chamber Choir, Director, Neil Nongkynrih said he wished Toshan well and hoped that he would win the contest. Toshan is currently in the city to appeal for votes from the people of Meghalaya and also the North Eastern states.