Bangladeshi Boy Pop Singer Dreams of Becoming Superstar

But for a chance to give a good showing of his talent at a singing competition, Jewel Rana, son of a poor Bangladeshi farmer, would never expect to be a pop star at the age of 12.

In an interview with Xinhua recently in his home village in Gazipur district, 37 kms north of Dhaka, Rana said he was fascinated by music.

"After I hear someone singing a song, I can sing immediately and accurately," he said.

All people in the village, old and young, enjoy listening to Rana singing.

Jalal Uddin, Rana's father, said he had never expected his son would become a singing star one day.

Rana's good luck came when some people came to the village for a picnic in 2008, Uddin recalled. Among them was a journalist who heard Rana's singing and then recommended him take part in a singing competition organized by Dhaka-based television station Channel I.

"I didn't want Rana to go because I thought he lived in a village and might be not used to this kind of program. But Rana insisted on going and persuaded me to let him have a try. Finally I agreed and took him to Dhaka," Uddin said.

Around 2, 000 children participated in the competition running from May 2008 to February 2009. "Rana was one of the five competitors to compete in the final. Finally he won the champion title," the father said.

"All the villagers watched the live broadcasting of the competition. We also sent messages to vote for him," said Mizanur Rahman, Rana's former teacher.

Rana was awarded 500,000 taka (around US$7,143) for the championship. Each month he would withdraw 6,000 taka (around US$86) for his father, who used to be a day laborer in the village.

After the competition, Rana signed a one-year contract with Channel I in February. Since then, he has given several performances both in Bangladesh and abroad. "I have already visited Singapore, America, Qatar and Australia, and will go to Dubai and Malaysia soon," the boy said.

Rana is now studying in a boarding school in Dhaka which provides him much better education.

"Our life has been greatly improved because of Rana," said Uddin, who has quit his job. The family has shifted to a newly-rented house with two bed rooms and more facilities.

Michael Jackson is Rana's idol. "I want to become a pop star like Jackson," said Rana, who has already published two albums, with the third one coming soon.

(Xinhua News Agency November 19, 2009)