WITH the declaration of Nigar Sultana Shimu's name as the Best Performer of Khulna Auditions, the grand final event of the Benson & Hedges Star Search 2003 is now just one more regional contest away. The live performance before the judges by 18 aspiring young singers of Khulna region took place at the auditorium of Hotel Castle Salam Ltd. on August 5.

Introduced in 1999, the 5th edition of the sensational Star Search programme this year is marked by some specialty. From this year's contest, the regional auditions will now be held in presence of the panel of judges. Previously participants would have to submit recorded demonstration cassettes for the evaluation. Only the final chapter of the event would take place before the judges.

Another appreciable aspect of this year's Star Search Programme is that the judges, all of them being very popular among the country's fans of modern music, hold a presentation for the young participants.

No doubt, this is quite inspiring to the 'upcoming starts'.

Among the 18 participants at the Khulna Auditions, a good number of performers showed some real promise of budding talent in them. Manjur, for example, performed two songs--one of them composed and tuned by himself and the other by his friend who accompanied him on the

bass guitar. Both the songs had quite remarkable lyrics and music. Another performer named Shahed performed real solo himself alone being on the stage with an acoustic guitar. Shahed's songs were also well composed and tuned.

Performer Nigar Sultana, however, became the Best Performer. She indeed enthralled the audience with her excellent voice and rendition of two songs.

After the audition, the judges of the

event Kumar Biswajit and Omar Khaled Rumi performed for the participating singers. Very famous for his originality, Kumar Biswajit sang some seven popular tracks to which the whole audience gave its voice. Lead vocalist of the band 'Bangladesh' Omar Khaled Rumi and his daughter Laura also performed.

The next and last audition of the Star Search 2003 at the regional level will take place in Rajshahi on August 10.