Kids version of Indian 'The Voice' launched

Amid some soulful and melodious singing performances and humorous gags, TV show "The Voice India Kids" - an Indian version of the internationally acclaimed reality format "The Voice" - was launched here on Tuesday in the presence of Bollywood singers Shekhar Ravjiani, Shaan and Neeti Mohan.

Co-hosted by actor Jay Bhanushali and singer-comedienne Sugandha Mishra, the show, which will be aired on &TV starting July 23, is aimed at providing a platform to children between the age group of 6-14 years to showcase their singing talent on national television.

"Since being a part of this show, what we have witnessed is that these kids, who are just 8-9 years old, are singing better than the grown-ups," Shaan, who is returning as a coach on the show after "The Voice India", said at the launch.

"What's more interesting to see was that people in South, who usually face language barrier while speaking Hindi, are singing Hindi songs so well. Earlier we used to have contestants from Punjab, Kolkata, Assam, Rajasthan and Maharashtra mainly. But this time people from South and North East have also come in huge numbers," Shaan added.

One of the interesting factors that the format of "The Voice India Kids" has is that the coaches will only get to hear the contestants and not see them when they perform live. Each coach will have 18 contestants in their teams.

Shekhar, who is one half of the popular musician duo Vishal-Shekhar, said: "After seeing the confidence of kids on this show, I feel that the coming generation is way more talented than us. Also this concept of only hearing the contestants while they are performing is quite unique. I have appeared on six reality shows, but never saw talent like this on aThe Voice India Kids'."

The event witnessed some scintillating by a contestant and the three coaches. Also the two hosts - Jay and Sugandha - were seen pulling each other's leg through their jokes.

Neeti, who herself came into limelight after winning the TV show "Popstars", will be seen for the first time on the judging panel.

She said: "This show has been a learning experience for me. I have learnt a lot from Shekhar and Shaan, and also from the contestants. We are not judges on this show. We will be seen as coaches. So we feel that our job is even more special that way."

--IANS

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