Odisha’s new singing sensation is on a roll. The 14-year-old boy from Bhubaneswar rose to fame after mesmerising millions of music lovers with his soulful voice in singing reality shows like 
Born to music teacher Sarojbadan Pradhan and All India Radio artiste Alfa Das, Simon was influenced by his parents who are singers by passion and profession since he was a toddler. Recalling his formative years, his father says, “Many kids used to come to me to learn Hindustani classical music. Simon used to follow the ragas I taught them and render them on his own. Singing came naturally to him. He is not only good at singing but he is also very good at playing instruments like keyboard, guitar, drum, table, octapad and charango. He played the charango at an annual function of the Meteorology department of Bhubaneswar when he was only three and was lauded for his skill. When he was in Class I, he played different musical instruments at the Children’s festival ‘Anjali’ and was felicitated. He made his first appearance on television when he was only six. He wowed the audience on a kid’s show ‘Tuan Tuin’ aired on ETV by playing the charango. When he turned nine, he participated in the programme Voice of Odisha and qualified for the semifinal round. He has regaled audiences in many singing reality shows and become a known face in the music industry.”
Sharing his memorable experiencesin reality shows, Simon says, “I sang ‘Dure Chalijaye Maya Lagai’ from the movie Akashe Ki Ranga Lagila in the presence of music director Bikash Das. He said,‘I got goosebumps when I heard your song which seemed to come from your heart. In the Indian Idol audition, I sang ‘Tere bina rogi hue pyase nain’ and all the three judges loved it. Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani sirs were all praise for me. They told me, ‘You have got a clean voice and you have all the qualities needed in a playback singer. Just work hard and do riyaz to maintain this flow.’I qualified for the Mumbai round. It was one of the best moments and I would like to cherish it forever.”
Simon, who is a Class X student of Buxi Jagabandhu English Medium School, continues, “When I sang the track ‘Udi Udi Jae Udi’ at Voice of Odisha programme, Goodly Rath said I could give competition to renowned playback singers. Singer Tapu Mishra said your throw is excellent so also your rendition and you will go a long way. Such words always encourage me to give my best.”
Asked about his inspiration, Simon says, “If people today know me as a singer, it is because of my parents. They have spent sleepless nights so that I could excel in my life, both in the singing and academic fields. Had they not supported me, I would not have tasted success at an early age. Apart from my parents, I would like to attribute my success to my mentor and singer Abhijeet Mishra, who guides me and teaches me small tips like mike handling techniques so that I can give my best in reality shows.”
He adds, “I breathe music. It’s my life. I cannot think of leading my life sans music. So, I would like make my career in music and become a renowned playback singer of Bollywood and Ollywood.”
Rashmi Rekha Das, OP