First-of-its-kind pageant wins confidence vote

Jamshedpur, April 16: After an experiment, the inference follows.

A day after four beauties walked the ramp, stole the limelight and bagged a chance to be a part of the bigger picture at Jamshedpur — Sananda Tilottama — the post-mortem started in the city regarding the programme. Was the show a success or not, was the question on everyone’s lips.

From the choice of finalists to the quality of participants, everything came under scrutiny.

Judges called the affair a moderate success. “Because, the show was held for the first time in Jharkhand not many people were aware of the contest. That was perhaps the main reason as to why many girls decided to stay away from the event, thinking it to be a routine and run-of-the-mill talent hunt,” said one judges.

The event saw many last minute entries. Ultimately, there was a healthy turnout of 30 participants for the show. But here, too, a lot of girls backed out at the last moment, especially from Ranchi, Dhanbad and Rourkela. Out of the bevy of beauties, who walked the ramp yesterday, only three were from Ranchi, Rourkela and Dhanbad.

Deepti Sarkar, one of the judges, believes that the fault lies with the “way” the programme hype was handled. “Maybe the event was not highlighted well. So people preferred to stay away,” said she.

But media hype and publicity apart there was the big problem of consent. Dipti Sahu, a student at a fashion institute, said: “I was very keen to participate. But my family was completely against my staying all alone in Calcutta for the entire month, which the finalists had to for the final grooming,” added Dipti. Asked if she knew how popular the show was she nodded, tad bewildered.

The greatest controversy, however, was the “quality” of participants and the final choice.

“Two of the finalist did not deserve to be in the final 10. For they neither had the required height nor the stage presence, but how the judges chose on them is only known to them,” said Ria Tripathy, a participant, who could not make it to the finals.

“We know some girls may have been prettier. But the final four were selected on the basis of their over-all performance and stage presence, which were confident. We will back our choices, and their performance at Calcutta perhaps would prove if we were right or wrong,” added Sarkar.

“For the sheer lack of stage presence, one cannot really blame the girls. This state is more academically inclined. Fashion is yet to be perceived as a career option. We have to wait for a few more years before a ‘metro’ response may be expected,” said Shakti Sharma, who, too, was a judge.

The leading city dignitary, however, also felt that from the coming year, the organisers should get a little more discerning.

“For the first time this was a great show. But from next year as the concept picks up, the selection should get tougher,” added Sharma.

Sarkar suggests a way to make things easier for the state’s beauties. “There is an urgent need for a grooming school in Jamshedpur and in the rest of the state. If groomed properly the state girls can do wonders.”

For now all eyes are on the Calcutta ramp to see whether the famous four can weave the same magic there too.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070417/asp/jamshedpur/story_7655317.asp