Mong Uching Marma became the first ever Bangladeshi Idol. On Friday, the grand finale of the popular global franchise was aired on SATV and this is the first time an indigenous person won a reality show in Bangladesh.
The programme has gained rapid fame since it started to air in Bangladesh and gradually came to an end with two more names: first runner-up Arif and second runner-up Monti.
Mong is a student from Bandarban Government College. He is the vocalist of a band named Chikkhhok. In a conversation with Dhaka Tribune, Mong said: “In this grand occasion I am becoming nostalgic for the time when I used to play my guitar stealthily. My father wanted me to concentrate on my studies only and once he threw my guitar on the road beside my home.
“I am grateful to the audience of Bangladesh and to everyone who sent an SMS to make me the winner of such a great show. I am grateful to the judges for selecting me in the first place and finally as the winner.”
On the finale, the three finalists Monti, Mong and Arif performed songs specially written and composed by the lead musicians of Bangladesh. Monti, the second runner up presented a song written by Gazi Majharul Anwar and composed by Foad Nasser Babu. The winner Mong sang a song with lyrics by Shahan Kabondh’s and music by Bappa Majumder. And the first runner-up Arif performed a number written by Kabir Bakul and composed by Partha Barua.
Famous singers and celebrities made the program more lively and colorful. Sabina Yasmin, Kona and many other singers rocked the stage. But the main attraction was the performance by Shakib Khan and Apu Biswas.
