Asma Mohammed Rafi - Page 6

MUSCAT ' For all the music lovers in Muscat and viewers of reality shows in India, Asma Mohammed Rafi is a well-known name now. Having made it to the list of the top seven finalists in the popular musical reality show, Zee TV's Saregamapa 2009, this extremely talented Omani singer has indeed brought glory to her nation.

Asma was recently in town to take a break from her hectic schedules, and she shared her excitement, dreams and aspirations with Times of Oman.

" I am extremely delighted to be one among the top seven finalists of Zee TV's Saregamapa 2009," said an elated Asma.

Talking about her long and fruitful musical journey, this Omani singer who has created ripples on Indian television, said that she had never ever thought even in her dreams she would make it.

"When I was selected as one of the top four finalists in Saregamapa Middle East Pakistan Muqabala held in Dubai, I actually gained confidence in myself."

Not having any formal training in music and not knowing Hindi, it wasn't easy for this seventeen-year-old to make it to the top ranks.

"I can't converse in Hindi effortlessly. My access to the language is very limited. But all these hindrances didn't dissuade me from pursuing my passion," she added.

Asma, who is carving out a niche for herself in the musical field through her talent, is intensely proud of her musical genes, as she prefers to call it.

Her father, Mohammed Rafi, who is a well-known singer in Oman, has been her biggest inspiration and also her leading support.

"It was through hearing him sing that I developed interest in singing. Without him I wouldn't have reached where I am today," she reiterated.

Recalling her experiences at Saregamapa, Asma said the show has really been a great platform for her. "In all these months I have been able to learn so many things when it comes to singing. All the mentors at the show really help a lot in polishing our skills," she says.

While Himesh Reshammiya, her mentor, has helped her in refining her voice quality, the others like Aadesh Srivastava and Pritam have helped her with her diction. "My biggest problem is my accent as I cannot speak Hindi fluently. That's where all my mentors have helped me. My fellow contestant Pratibha has also given me a lot of support," said Asma.

A few months' back the spotlight remained on Asma for a while not just for her singing acumen but also for the controversies that surrounded her when she revealed on stage the differences between her parents pertaining to her singing.

Quite candid about the whole issue, Asma said the matter was not a publicity gimmick as many had thought, and that everything was true.

"My mother, who still loves me a lot, doesn't talk to me as she doesn't quite like my taking up singing as a career," she affirmed.

"It's the unconditional support that I get from my father that keeps me going," she added.

Asma, who plans to take up playback singing seriously, has already started getting offers from several music directors in Bollywood.

"I was given my first break in Bollywood by Aadesh Srivastava in the film Surma Mohabbat. The song has been picturised on Kashmira Shah and would be released in February 2009," she said.

Being aware of the fact that the hype of musical reality shows fades after a short while, Asma agrees that in the end it's talent that actually matters.

"Playback singing needs a lot of dedication and I hope I will be able to work hard," she said.

If Asma's passion for singing has come in the way of something, it's her studies. Being constantly away from Muscat to be part of the reality show has affected her studies. She's a Grade XI student.

"I am planning to finish my studies from Mumbai now as it's not possible for me to travel so often," the singer said while discussing her future plans.

An ardent fan of Sonu Niigaam and her mentor Himesh Reshammiya, this high-spirited singer's joy knew no bounds when Sheikh Humaid bin Ali bin Sultan Al Muaani, the ambassador of Sultanate of Oman to India, personally congratulated her for making Oman so proud.

"It was the best compliment of my life. I was extremely thrilled when he said that I had brought glory to my country," she said.

take care 😊

source

Times of Oman

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH-jkwep0Ps[/YOUTUBE]

not sure if ive posted this already but ive just wanted the members thoughts on how they felt that the pakistani contestants were not part of the srgmp ch09 grand finale. I myself was rather disapointed.

take care 😊