Prasanna - "the" Super Singer

Lots can be and needs to be written about Prasanna in Super Singer. He is a phenomenon. His earlier prelim rounds, his early exit, reentry, grand performances, then the final exit.. He was the main character in this super singer drama.

He can get into a song and make you feel it completely. The song can be anything --sad, happy, devotional etc. -- it really doesn't matter. He will totally get into the song, and bring it out from his heart. He has a great talent for this.

You can feel the full import of the Tamil lyrics whenever he sings the songs. He is at a loss in other languages (English words in songs gets eaten up! His attempts at Hindi or Malayalam would be disastrous unless someone explains the words to him.) He seems like a self made singer and probably likes to practice all alone. When he sings Tamil songs you first clearly hear the words, and above that he clearly emphasizes and emotes the words he is singing. His amazing talent and intelligence comes through clearly.

He unfortunately gets nervous when he is tested on stage. He has never passed any impromptu tests on stage. It looks like he needs time to digest the song's concept to do a good job of it. He is not an "instant singer" althought he is very intelligent singer and delivers what is needed.

Even more unfortunate is the branding of him as "kuthu" specialist or a "performer". This just injustice to his talent which is understand the importance of the message of the song. If he picks a song the message of the song will reach the audience. But the program has focused only on his performance and kuthu songs more giving an impression that he can make anyone dance when he is on stage. The indirect implication here is that he will be bad behind the microphone in the recording theatre. What is missed by this preception is the fact that he can make people understand the song and also cry when needed. Another point that is overlooked is the confidence that he has on stage. That was his sole strength not "performer" or "kuthu". Once he understands the song, and builds up his confidence there are no barriers.

Sometimes for the sake of creating a feel he does lose control of the song. This was evident in the early part of the super singer show. It was not the case in the latter half (final eight, super sever rounds) of the program. So with proper guidance he can correct himself.

What impressed me most was when he was finally let go from the program in the Uravugal round, he first thought of his supporters. He was not crying for himself but he felt for his fans. Even in that hard moment he gathered up enough energy to sing a song and it ended it with "kalanguthamma en manasu"! Wow! It takes more than courage and talent to do that. He showed great compassion for his audience, which is very important trait for him personally that will allow him to grow as a singer. (It looked like he had pretty much prepared himself to exit in the previous classical round and in this round he faced the decision with a lot of courage).

I am sure we will see a lot more of him in Vijay TV in future (for New Year and Diwali special programs!!). Hope to hear his songs in movies soon. It will be a delight for him to have a hit of his own and not just sing other people's hits on stage.

Following are some of the songs of his that I love.

Prasanna singing "vazhe mayam" and "madai thirandhu" in emotions round. Is there any doubt here about his talent? He makes your cry first, then immediately makes you jump up and dance. What an amazing singer!



Prasanna singing with Ravi in one of the earlier rounds. Amazing how he holds up against a great talent like Ravi



Aha aha... the evergreen "nilavu oru pennaagi" from Prasanna. Prasanna erases any doubt that he can be completely original here. There is no trace of TMS in his singing. What feel! What involvement! I can never forget this song from Prasanna.


Sometimes you have to wonder if his "Perumal" is working in his throat when he is singing the following "venkatachala nilayam" song! S Janaki used to say she does not know how she sings some of the songs, and that she believes that it is her "Kannan" singing. This must be true for Prasanna here.



Here is Prasanna singing "lajjavatiye" (Malayalam)! (he singing from around 3:00 in the first video). This is another case where he goes head to head with Ravi and comes out on the winner. Great singing from both of them. Enjoyable episode with some wise-cracks from everyone involved (esp. in the second video which has the comments from the judges and hostess Chinmayi)!!