Her rendition of ‘Woh jo hamne’, originally sung by ghazal exponent Nayyara Noor, won the hearts the audience and also the first prize in the Urdu ghazal competition for her. Punya Pradeep, a standard IX student of the BEM High School, Vadakara, was an instant hit amongst the ghazal-loving crowd. She was also one of the few who grabbed the first prize from Kozhikode district this year.
Punya, who has been learning Carnatic music for the past six years, stepped into the world of Hindustani music just a year ago under Kodungallur Naushad. Punya, who loves Bollywood songs, is no stranger to stage performances either. She is a member of the music troupe, ‘Kochi Yuva’. “The Urdu ghazal competition was quite a tight one. The first prize was shared by another girl,” says Punya.
Her school was in a jubilant mood after the results were announced. “I had immense support from everyone, including teachers, friends and family. I cut a cake in the school and my class teacher even presented me a gift after the results were announced,” says an excited Punya.
She had also bagged the second prize in ashtapathi and classical music competitions in the district level.
Punya, who is settled at Vadakara with her photographer father Pradeep and homemaker mother, has an older sibling, Pooja, who is also a singer.