-Satyakam Ray

In recent years, many talent shows or singing/dancing reality shows have emerged on Indian television channels. Colors India’s Got Talent program is one of them. IGT is crucial to Odisha, as its first-ever winner was an Odia dance group, the Prince Dance Group.

The craze for reality talent shows in Odisha is overwhelming whenever an Odia contestant competes. A sense of brotherhood and belonging comes into play among Odias when they participate in online or offline voting. A significant amount of PR work is being done to benefit the participants, at any cost. Talent, hard work, and the participant’s sad or struggle story play a role in PR.

For example, the Prince dance group is talented at performing astounding god gestures, and their backstory is unique. The sad story of the back dancers moved Judge Shekhar Kapoor to tears. After the first season, popper Harihar Das and sand artist Manas Sahoo entered the IGT in the 2nd season. The Odia talent pool is immensely respected in the IGT circuits.

IGT has provided numerous Odia artists with a platform to advance their careers and capitalize on opportunities. Harihar Das is now a well-known Ollywood dancer and actor. The Prince dance group has performed worldwide and established a notable reputation. Sand artist Manas Sahoo has also proven his mettle on the international stage. Likewise, many talented artists and participants have established themselves in their crafts through the help of IGT.

Of course, the voting pattern and appeal to all Odias help, but talent also plays a significant role in a candidate’s chances of winning. Sometimes, the voting pattern is so pronounced that it suggests the second-best candidate would win the competition if they were from Odisha. One such example is the Raw Star singing reality show winner, Rituraj Mohanty. It’s not that he’s talented, but he gained from the odia voting Pattern.

What does this show reflect, anyway? The IGT saga shows that the Odia people are far more talented than those conceived by others. Proper nurturing of talent, adequate financial and psychological support for artists, and an excellent launch platform are prerequisites for championing an art form. Thankfully, Odia people with modest resources are taking advantage of it, and IGT plays a crucial role in this endeavor.