Agartala: A semi-classical and folk fusion band with eight girls of Tripura, Meghbalika has allegedly been cheated by TV reality show – India’s Got Talent in Mumbai after being called there for performance, which sparked reaction among cross-section in the state.
The Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Pratima Bhoumik who had sponsored the band to perform in the show in Mumbai studio supposed to be held last week has reacted sharply over the incident and said the reality show authorities didn’t do properly with the talents from Tripura.
The band Chief Ankita Roy alleged that the reality show authority had told them to include a performer from Kolkata in their team and to drop the name of ‘Tripura’ from their identity and in turn, they will be elevated at least three levels ahead in the competition but they didn’t agree. Finally, after reaching Mumbai the girls were left unattended for the last few days and they allegedly did not get the chance to meet even the event officials.
“From top to bottom, India’s Got Talent team has been persuading for the last three days to agree to their proposal and perform in Mumbai. And, only then the organizers will take care of them in Mumbai and pay off their expenses and be allowed to perform,” Roy alleged adding that no way would they drop the name of Tripura from their identity tag or include anybody from another state.
She claimed that the reality show had invited them for an audition at Kolkata after seeing their online test in September and was impressed with their performance, Meghbalika was called for the main performance in Mumbai on Nov 26 last. A week before their departure the proposal for induction of another artist from Kolkata came from the organizers but it was denied and they accepted it.
After their reaching Mumbai nobody met them or provided their lodging and on the day of performance, the event officials informed that until they accept the proposal of India’s Got Talent they wouldn’t be allowed to meet or perform in the show, she alleged further.
The cultural affairs minister of Tripura, Sushanta Chowdhury asked the girls to return with pride, as they didn’t lose anything. Rather, fought for the fame and identity of Tripura, which a native of any state expected to be demonstrated with pride. “Let them come safely back home, I shall meet them to know more details and appropriate steps to be taken against such an unwarranted incident,” the minister asserted.
