Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Oct 21: Twenty-seven participants competed today with each other in semi-finals of All India Devotional Song Competition, being held here at Yog Ashram Complex.
The battle of semi-final began with lighting of the traditional lamp by Minister of State for Finance, Pawan Gupta, in the presence of Ajay Nanda, MLA Reasi, Rakesh Wazir, chairman, Devotional Song Committee, Anil Chandel, SDM Katra, Ashwani Hansa, District Information Officer and many other distinguished guests.
In semi-final, all 27 singers adjudged 2nd and 3rd in preliminary rounds started from October 13 to 19 competed among themselves and after thrilling performances six singers —-Viva Bharti from Kathua, Suresh Kumar from Udhampur, Reema Devi from Kanyala (Jammu), Sukhjinderjeet from Amritsar, Shivankar Bharti from Jammu and Rakesh Deol from Mumbai got their entry into Mega final to be held at Yog Ashram Complex.
The participants were adjudged by a panel of experts in music including Anupama Sharma, Professor Music, Degree College Jammu, Pt Subash Ghosh from West Bengal, senior disciple of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Sahab, the great Saroad Maestro, Dr Usha Bhagati, Ex-HoD Music in many degree colleges and Brij Mohan Sharma, a great music composer from Jammu.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest lauded the organizers of the competition for providing a platform to the budding singers besides increasing the potential of tourism. He said that he is really feeling proud to watch the event, which has given Katra an international name in the field of devotional songs.
Rakesh Wazir conducted the proceedings of the event and also gave vote of thanks.
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