Karaoking your way to glory

Crooning to your favourite tunes has never been so much fun before. With more city clubs hosting special Karaoke nights for patrons, India is poised too make its debut as one of the 40 participating countries at an international Karaoke competition.

The winners, one male and the other female, will represent India at the finals in Ireland and compete with champions from all over the world.

Worldwide craze
Lalit Kewalramani from Nash Events, who brought the Karaoke World Championship (KWC) to India for the very first time, says, “It’s been picking up in India like never before and has acquired a huge fan following. Many clubs and pubs now have days specifically dedicated to Karaoke.”

KWC is conducted annually every September, drawing participation globally. The member countries conduct local and national Karaoke competitions and send winners to participate at the finals.

The first Indian KWC city trials were held in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Kolkata and Ludhiana.

Winners of city trials qualified for the zonal finals and three finalists from each zone will comprise the twelve who’ll compete for the KWC Indian grand finale title, to be held on August 6 in Mumbai.

Joining the bandwagon is Opus, a Bengaluru-based restaurant which is hosting their own national championship titled Opus KroaKING.
In its sixth season, the competition will be conducted across 11 cities in India. Carlton Braganza, owner of Opus, says, “We were one of the first to start such a competition and today, many pubs are hosting similar nights.”

There are 10 qualifying rounds at Opus, and a final round in each of the 11 cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and Hyderabad. One winner from each city will be picked, and then flown to Bengaluru to compete in the grand finale.

Those who can’t make it can also qualify directly for the finals using the KroaKING online wild card application. And given the scale of these competitions, the prizes are slightly more exotic than the usual round of free drinks available at most bars.

Finalists of the McDowell’s No 1 Soda Karaoke World Championship, held in association with VH1, will be flown to Ireland on an all-expenses-paid trip and the winner will score a recording deal with a major recording studio.

Opus KroaKING winners will also get to launch their own music CD under Universal records, apart from a cash prize of up to
Rs 50,000 and a ticket to London. Adds Carlton, “If there are such perks involved for singing your heart out, who would like to miss it?”

* Attend the Mumbai leg of the Karaoke World Champion tonight at Zinc, Lower Parel from 9 pm onwards. Entry R 500 post 10 pm. Call 9820058875.
* Participate in the Mumbai leg of the Opus KroaKING Season 6 karaoke competition on August 7 at Blue Frog, Lower Parel, from 9 pm onwards. Call 09008303330 or go to www.kroaknights.com. You could also write to opus@trumpit.com

Get your Karaoke fix
Where: Temptation, Bandra (W)
When: Every Friday from 8.30 pm to 1 am.
Deal: Buy a large vodka drink and get one red bull free. Also, buy four pints of Fosters beer for the price of three.
Most popular numbers: ‘Hotel California’ by The Eagles

Where: Manchester United Café Bar, Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel
When: Every Thursday till 1 am
Deal: Buy one drink and get one free. And, sing and be rewarded with free shooters.
Most popular numbers: Most numbers by popstars like Rihanna, Lady Gaga and rock band Pink Floyd

Where: Not Just Jazz by the Bay, Marine Drive
When: Every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 10 pm to 1a
Deal: Entry Rs 100
Most popular numbers: ‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz, ‘Summer of ’69’ by Bryan Adams and ‘It’s My Life’ by Bon Jovi
Regulars: Minissha Lamba, Sushmita Sen and Sonali Bendre

Where: Volare, Colaba
When: Every Thursday
Deal: Before 8 pm buy one and get one drink free. Also avail 30 per cent off on food. After 8 buy two drinks and get one free.
Most popular numbers: ‘Hotel California’ by The Eagles

Where: Soul Fry Casa, Fort
When: Every Saturday till 1 pm
Deal: No cover charge. Prizes for best singer and worst singer
Most popular numbers: Songs by ABBA, The Beatles, Eric Clapton and Shania Twain