Indian Idols in Concert

Photography Times: Indian Idols - Live in Concert

Posted: 26 Sep 2010 08:16 AM PDT

Hyderabad played host to local boy and the Indian Idol 5 winner Sreerama Chandra Mynampati (more popularly known as Sreeram Chandra), runner up Bhumi Trivedi and finalist Swaroop Khan in a live concert - first time in Hyderabad after Sreeram was named the Indian Idol 5 on August 15 this year. Indian Idol is an adaptation of the Pop Idol format and has run five successful seasons.
The concert was held at Shilpakala Vedika - a rather beautifully maintained concert hall amidst towering hubs of IT Parks at the famed Hi-Tech City area of Hyderabad. Parking was surprisingly hassle-free and the crowd was well behaved and that added to making the high-energy performance of the talented youngsters a memorable evening.
Swaroop Khan kicked off with his trademark folk number that was an instant hit with the audience. The shy youngster strode off the stage as soon as he was done singing his number prompting the host of the show to comically remark - "If a girl were to say 'I Love You' to Swaroop, he would bow with utter humility and say 'Thank You, Madam' and go his way". He was followed by runner up Bhumi Trivedi who performed a mix of Hindustani and the rap version of Spice Girls' Wannabe.
Eventually the audience was treated to the man of the moment they were all waiting for and Sreeram Chandra did not disappoint. From a hip shaking movie song, to a Telugu classical to a Bhangra mix where Swaroop and Bhumi joined him - he only reinstated his talent that got him to be the Indian Idol.
It was also my first attempt at a full-fledged Concert Photography, ending up watching pretty much the whole show through my Viewfinder. I'd devote a separate post on the unique technicalities of shooting under tricky and unpredictable lighting of concerts, but here is a collection of photographs summing up the event.
Swaroop starts off with a folk number.

Bhumi Trivedi - Indian Idol 5 Runner-up.

Audience was on its toes for the percussion-filled rap of Spice Girls Wannabe.

Sreeram Chandra - Indian Idol 5 Winner.

Play of lights.

Bhumi joins Sreeram with the Bhangra approaching.

Delhi attacks raise Games concern -20 September, 2010

Delhi attacks raise Games concern -20 September, 2010: "Delhi attacks raise Games concern

The attack on tourists in Delhi ahead of next month's Commonwealth Games has reinforced fears that the city is at ''high risk'' of an attack by local terrorists.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs has released an updated travel advisory to include an incident on Sunday in which a busload of Taiwanese tourists was fired at by a person riding pillion on a motorcycle.

Two of the tourists were shot but survived.

''Australians in New Delhi should be aware that the Commonwealth Games will be held in a security environment where there is a high risk of terrorism,'' the advisory states.

An Islamist group called the Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attack.

Tour operators dismissed concerns that the incident was a terrorist attack.

Rajeev Kohli, joint managing director of Creative Travel India, said, “In my personal opinion, the level of the attack does not seem to be the work of any terrorist organisation for the target was too insignificant and the area affected very limited.”

In a statement, Cox and Kings India said all guests in Delhi were safe. “With enhanced security the situation in Old Delhi is normal,” the company added.

by Ian Jarrett