I am sure that I am not the only one to wonder about what happens to the talent show winners and favourites once the show comes to an end. Although talent shows are arranged for almost everything that human beings are capable of doing, at this moment let us focus exclusively on the many singer-hunts that the channels have lined up. It may safely be said that 'Indian Idol' on Sony and 'Sa re ga ma pa' on Zee have been the most popular as far as TRPs are concerned. But what really happens to the newly discovered 'stars' when TRPs are not a concern anymore? They get drowned in the sea of talent that television has started churning up, possibly.


We have nothing against the singing sensations, some of them are truly talented. But the problem is that we have not really voted them for the way they sing. Celebrity judges have assessed them for the way they 'perform' and look and emote. We have watched their hyped 'X' factor and remained agape at how entire families have sometimes captured the stage to circulate sob stories across the nation. Then finally we have voted (initially, lately most of us have stopped voting) on the basis of narrow preferences we secretly nurture and never admit in public. Confess please, if only to yourself, that often your judgement has been unduly influenced when the participant happened to share the same ethnic background with you.


It is very unfair to say the least. Unfair on those who can really sing. But more unfair for those who had participated in the show in the naivete that it is going to be the one platform to recognise their talent. Most unfair to those who are truly devoted to music. Consider this. A contestant in Indian Idol participates for the sake of getting quickly famous and then leveraging the fame to further a career in directions other than singing. He/she may win, but it doesn't matter if not. They move on to become anchors, reality show participants, VJs, local celebrities and what not without any major regrets whatsoever. Good for them. If producers have made money from the show, it is only meet that participants too reap the benefits.


But consider this. A boy, a mediocre singer in every way, comes to the talent hunt with the faith that he is going to be appreciated. He is taking lessons in singing and is devoted to music. He may possess exaggerated ideas about his abilities or his progress but there is no dearth of sincerity in his heart. He may win too (just in case he has that XYZ factor), but in that case he is not likely to sing well ever again. Simply because he has been inflated unduly at the wrong time. He may not win at all. In that case he is most likely to lose heart completely. Courage and grit are good words to make a drama about, but it is difficult to recover when you have been discarded by a national audience. And most probably for all the wrong reasons. There will be a number of theories but most probably these are the people who seek obscurity.


Talent is discovered anyways. Competitions are meant to be won. Television shows are meant to be popular. Popularity is meant to make money. I don't suppose there is ever going to be a fair amalgamation of four diverse realities. Till then there are going to be sacrifices at the altar of TRPs.


Just one confession. The audition rounds are fun to watch. Pathetic specimens of humanity being exposed and ridiculed and scathed beyond repair. Sometimes, when in the privacy of my own room I hear my own rendition of a popular track, I feel extremely relieved that I am not courageous enough to face public opinion. Then I feel very ashamed for laughing at them who can.