Reality competition shows are nothing new in today’s world. Television networks in nations like Nepal and India continue to air reality shows because they not only increase the channel’s TRP and popularity but also give incredible talents from all across the country a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Even though the bulk of these shows feature singing and dance, Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is hosting a show for the first time that has a unique appearance. Many poets from all over the world tried out for the first-ever Nepali poetry reality show, “Poet Idol,” in its inaugural season.
Top 14 has begun following the completion of the audition rounds. Following their selection in the international category, two poets from Darjeeling and Sikkim, Pallawib Singock and Neelam Gurung, respectively, have advanced to the round of 14.
Neelam is a teacher by profession and is a native of Sikkim’s capital city of Gangtok. She is also a voiceover artist, poet, singer, and stand-up comedian.
Neelam claimed that despite composing poems since she was a little child, she has not yet established a platform for her work. She is overjoyed to be a part of a reality show like “Poet Idol,” since it is a revolution in itself. When she appeared on the round of 14, she stated that she wants to be known for her strong, rebellious, and fearless poetry about women and how society treats them. In addition to her writing, the poet sees her speaking voice and delivery style as strengths, and with that in mind, she places equal emphasis on both writing and delivery.
In contrast, Pallawib Singock has experience as a creative director for ABN networks and is a professional filmmaker. He is a Darjeeling native who has produced and/or directed a number of music videos and short movies.
He said when appearing on the show that Nepal is a place that is dear to him because his ancestors are from the same nation. He is passionate about poetry and firmly believes that it should be accessible to all people. According to him, poetry and poets are still restricted to a small group of elites, which defeats the purpose of this lovely art form. He writes for the general population and wants his writings to be read by them. He thinks that a show like Poet Idol would motivate future generations to produce more poetry.
The judges for the show are Surakshya Panta, Anup Baral, Upendra Subba, and Viplob Pratik. The show is produced by Z Production Hub. Aman Pratap Adhikary is the show’s executive producer in addition to its director. Actor Divya Dev is the host of the show.
The candidates from Sikkim and Darjeeling have consistently performed admirably in Nepali reality shows, including The Voice Nepal, The Comedy Champions, and the newest, Poet Idol. The opportunity for Indian candidates to demonstrate their talent and advance their careers is made possible by the fact that Nepal and the Indian Nepali Community share a common language and culture.
