And the winner is...

Channel i Shera Kontho 2008 Jhilik (centre) smiles at the camera (top); Sabina Yasmin (4th from left) and Runa Laila perform with the finalists.

The much-awaited grand finale of Channel i Shera Kontho 2008, the first musical talent hunt on Channel i, featured several spirited live performances at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre. The results of the neck-to-neck competition, based on both judges' and audiences' opinions, were also revealed at the three-and-half-hour finale on August 30. Zanita Ahmed Jhilik was crowned as "Shera Kontho 2008".
Jhilik is a student of class IX at Mohammadpur Preparatory High School and was one of the youngest contestants in Shera Kontho.
Md. Animul Islam Romel and Md. Mahmudul Haque Imran jointly won the second position. The third position went to Sharmin Siddiqui, the youngest contestant of Shera Kontho -- a 13-year-old from Madaripur.
One of highlights was a dance composition by Shibli Muhammad and Shamim Ara Nipa accompanied by young dancers. The mega event was aired live on Channel i.
The programme started with a performance of the song Aj esheychhey shobai written by Kabir Bakul and composed by Subir Nandi. The finalists joined the judges, Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmin, and performed the song Esho praan khuley gai shudor agamir gaan.
The theme of the finale was folk songs. Each of the finalists was given a selected song -- classics immortalised by legendary folk artistes of the country.
Imran performed the song Kehoi korey bechakena. Chompa Banik performed the classic Shonar moina pakhi -- made famous by Nina Hamid. Romel sang Amaye eto raatey kene daak dili -- originally recorded by Abbas Uddin. Sharmin sang the familiar number Amar golar haar khuley ney. Yusuf performed an Abdul Alim song, Porer jaiga porer jomi and Jhilik performed O ki bondhu Kajol bhromora rey.
A group performance by the Shera Kontho judges in the initial phase of the contest -- singers Khurshid Alam, Abdul Jobbar, Kanak Chapa, Shammi Akter, Khalid, Sultana Chowdhury, Salma Ali, Nadira Begum, Agun and others -- was also included in the programme.
The winner of Shera Kontho received an amount of Tk 10 lakh, the runner-ups jointly won Tk seven lakh and the third position holder won Tk three lakh.
Shykh Seraj however, explained that the amounts will not be given to the winners right away because, "A sudden rush of money often corrupts young minds." Seraj always went over the plan to highlight these talented young artistes. Channel i will provide them with much-needed exposure, for instance giving them opportunities to sing at local and international events. Albums featuring their performances will also be released. Seraj also mentioned that the songs that won at the Celebrating Life contest organised by The Daily Star and Standard Chartered Bank will be recorded by these young artistes.
Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star and human rights activist Sultana Kamal unveiled covers of albums featuring performances by the finalists. Mahfuz Anam urged all to support and patronise Bangladeshi artistes by buying their CDs.
The finalists received blessings from the judges and expressed their convictions to uphold and promote Bangla songs. Farzana Brownia was the MC of the show.