PATRONS of the Bollywood aspect of the Jingle and Song Competition staged by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T) were, last Friday, treated to an unforgettable night of musical talent and entertainment showmanship as 11 determined, fired up young singers each awed the audience at the National Cultural Centre while vying for the brand new IST car on offer as first prize to the winner.
The judges had to deem the evening an unforgettable one, since every performer gave their all to emerge one step closer to being the winner of the grand prize.
According to the judges, every contestant gave an amazing performance at the finals of the segment.
Having been given adequate time to put their pieces together, each contestant enthused the judges with their unexpected delivery of various chutney and filmi songs.
The judges disclosed that it was indeed a tight contest after Friday night, since each young talent was very entertaining in their own way. However, the judges noted that it is the Guyanese people who will have the final say in deciding who is the winner.
On stage were Somdatt Ramessar, Chevela Rampersaud, Prakash Sadaram, Christina Insanally, Gowradai Pooran, Lielawattie Budram, Balram Persaud Budhu, Joel Pharouse, Gail Ann Singh, Kamal Rattan and Chait Singh Mohanlall.
The night’s proceedings also featured guest performers from the Ishara Dance Troupe; judges Fiona Singh and Rajesh Dubraj, who are chutney monarchs; and the youngest contestant, Yogishwar, who was eliminated.
The jingle and song competition fans in the Ancient County of Berbice are in for the time of their lives, as they will get the opportunity to see their favourite finalists when the grand finale is staged at the Albion Community Centre Ground, Corentyne, later this month.
On that occasion, a special dramatic item will be performed by one of the judges, Joel Ganshaam, and one of his favourite Bollywood contestants.

As crunch time nears, the rivalry is intensifying, and all cylinders are firing as things are taken to an almost celestial level, because the winner will walk away with a brand new Toyota IST car.
Chief Executive Officer of GT&T, Mr. Yog Mahadeo, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle earlier this month, noted that the response so far received from the public has been phenomenal.
“Results for this segment are expected to be announced on December 30, while those for the English (segment) are scheduled to be made known within a few days,” he said.
Mahadeo said he is quite pleased with this initiative, and despite some amount of negativity from certain sections of society, the company is satisfied with the competition and the changes that have been made to improve it.
He said GT&T has no regret about removing barriers from the contest and introducing the Bollywood aspect.