When seven-year-old Avirbhav started participating in the reality show on a Hindi channel, he did not even understand the language. But the immaculate ease at which he grasped the emotional pitches and sang stunned the judges and onlookers. His voice found resonance with the core of the musical numbers. This is an innate talent of the lad, with a judge even wondering whether this was possible due to his connect with the songs in his previous incarnation. Otherwise, how could he sing Pankaj Udhas’ iconic ‘Chithi Aayi Hein’ with such immaculate ease?
Or for that matter, Shankar Mahadevan’s ‘Breathless’ or ‘Aaja Shaam Hone Aayi’ by S P Balasubrahmaniam. Avirbhav emerged as the winner of Sony’s ‘Superstar Singer’ with a stunning performance that captivated even legends of Indian musical arena.
He shared the honour with Adharv Bakshi. Behind his magical abilities, though, is his sister, Aniirvinhya. She is the one who introduced him to the world of music, takes charge of his preparations, and takes a call on each of his programmes. And thus, without much musical pedigree to boast about, these small-town kids from Idukki in Kerala are scaling new heights.
Sajimon and Sandhya, who hail from Ramakalmedu in the hill district, are their parents. Sandhya opens up about Avirbhav’s astonishing feats to Manorama Online.
Sister’s path
Aniirvinhya was the first to participate in reality shows. That was in Tamil. Their dad, Sajimon, works in a private telecom firm. The family was based in Salem then. Her Tamil reality show stint impressed producers of Telugu reality shows and paved the way for her foray into that terrain. Just like Avirbhav’s Hindi stint, Avirvinya also had to handle an unfamiliar language. At that time, Aavirbhav was a toddler–just a year and a half of age. “But he used to communicate easily. He also made friends quickly. Gradually, he became part of the show and learned a bit of Telugu in the process, though he did not say many things knowing what it meant. Most of his communication was guesswork. A mentor team which worked behind the scenes taught him Telugu songs. Avirbhav doesn’t even remember his stint with the Telugu reality show as he was too young. He was aping his sister’s practice for Telugu reality shows. He sang whatever he understood when he heard songs. We realised that it was an inborn talent of his and began to nurture that when he made quite an impression. Gradually, he emerged as the key attraction of the Telugu reality show,” Sandhya said.
Avirbhav also began to tag along in all shows that Aniirvinhya participated in. Even though he was not a participant, Avirbhav was given the best entertainer award for the show.
Early days
Initially, when the couple realised their daughter’s singing talent, they did not pay much attention since they were more keen on sticking to academics. They always wanted Aniirvinhya to excel in studies and take up a nice profession. Hence, even though she sang well, her parents didn’t take much trouble to coach her accordingly.
When she was six years old, Aniirvinhya was taught a Hindi song by her tutor. She sang that in a programme at the school in Salem where she studied. The response was tremendous. Aniirvinhya also sang the Tamil song, ‘Ovvoru Pookalume,’ with noted singer P Susheela in attendance. “When the noted singer praised her singing talents, it dawned on me that it was a mistake not to give enough backing to her singing abilities. That is how Aniirvinhya’s musical tryst began in the right earnest. Kavumattom Anand is her music tutor now.
Sarath sir’s blessings
Sarath was the first music director to laud the kids and bless them. That was when the family had gone to Chennai as Aniirvinhya was to take part in an audition for the Tamil reality show. They met Sarath at Saaravana Bhavan and she lost no time to seek his blessings for her audition. Avirbhav was just 8 months old then. Sarath also blessed the boy, who was on his mother’s shoulders. Avirbhav is being hailed by many as a wonderkid. "We are also in awe of him and his talents. His pillar of strength, though, is his sister, Aniirvinhya, Sandhya said.
