‘M rudu Mandahasam’ by Punya Pradeep matched the expectations of music teacher and light music judge P Susheela Devi, who wanted the singers to keep the music light and act with the voice. Punya enthralled the music lovers who gathered at Sri Swathi Thirunal College of Music Auditorium with her voice modulation and rhythm.
Attired in a deep blue top and a white long skirt, Punya appeared confident, both on and off the stage. It was out of sheer determination to contest at state-level that the 10th standard student of BEM HS, Vatakara, Kozhikode, came with an appeal from district level. And she won the first prize in light music (high school category) with A-grade.
But Punya is no stranger to the stage at state-level. In the 55th edition of the arts festival held at her district of Kozhikode, she had stood first in ghazal. This time, however, she has been forced to approach the High Court to get an entry at the ghazal competition to be held on Saturday. An appeal regarding this is awaiting a favourable verdict from the court on Friday, said her parents.
Punya started her Carnatic music training seven years ago under Suresh Babu Maniyoor and Hindustani classical from Anil Das Kozhikode two years ago. She loves Bollywood songs and is a member of the music troupe ‘Kochi Yuva’, appearing in various musical shows on different channels. She has come to the festival along with her parents Padma and Bikas. Her elder sister Pooja is a 12th standard student.