Popular Names From Odisha In Reality Shows Since A Decade!
Reality shows have always acted as a debut platform for talented artists to showcase their fine skills. Since Odisha is a state which has no dearth of talent, in the last decade or so, many from the state have made it big on national television. We, at My City Links, look back at all the spectacular artists and people from Odisha who made us warm-hearted every time they shone on screen. Here’s cheering for them all over again!
Pratichee Mohapatra
At a time when the concept of reality shows was just starting off, Pratichee Mohapatra from Odisha was already dazzling her way to fame. She was amongst the five girls who sizzled in the first ever girl band named VIVA which was born on Channel V’s reality show Coke V Pop stars. Everyone loved her cool looks and classic voice on this show. Pratichee with her excellent acting, modelling and singing skills is truly Odisha’s diva!
Malkhamb Group
This group of 10 spectacular dancers received a tremendous response and loads of appreciation following their participation in India’s Got Talent and emerging as semi-finalists in Entertainment K Liye Kuch Bhi Karega.
Prince Dance Group
This extraordinary dance troupe of 26 daily wage labourers cum dancers need no introduction. The first time things changed for this group was when they became runners up in Boogie Woogie. Also their stellar way of mixing contemporary dance with mythology made them the real deservers of India’s Got Talent which they won fantastically.
Pic Courtesy: businessinsider.in
Jaya Biswas
Jaya started learning dancing from a very young age and today she is an expert in various dance forms including Bollywood, contemporary and semi classical. Although she has been dancing since childhood, her skills became evident through popular national dance reality shows like Boogie Woogie and DID Season 1 and India’s Dancing Superstar.
Rajasmita Kar
She is indeed the Rourkela stunt girl for having mastered stunt and hip-hop style of dance. People of Odisha went gaga when she defeated four contestants to become the Dance India Dance winner. Her expressive style made her earn the likes of judges, public and Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar as well.
Pic Courtesy : IndiaToday
Manas Kumar Sahoo
It has been an incredible journey for Manas, who is currently an acclaimed National and International sand artist and rose to fame through his glorious presence in India’s Got Talent (Season 2). By creating sand sculptures since the last twenty two years and doing sand animation for the last eight years, Manas is truly one of those who can craft magic with sand. 
Harihar Dash
Google and YouTube may have been his formal trainers but you just can’t take your eyes off the jazzy way Harihar dances. Having tried out for Dance Premier League (SONY) where he made it to the east zone’s final, Harihar was later in the top 60s in Dance India Dance. But what gave him the attention he deserved was when he ranked fifth in India’s Got Talent. 
Sniti Mishra
By performing various melodious numbers, Sniti had made it to the top of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in 2010. Sniti has time and again proved her mettle in various genres of Indian classical music, Sufi and folk songs. She has enthralled everyone with her breathtaking performances. Moreover, she has even collaborated with musicians like Sivamani, jazz exponent Louis Banks and Indian band Mynta for concerts across the globe.
Rituraj Mohanty
His soulful voice has the power to give you goose bumps anytime. After singing around 280 songs of different genres, he made history in India’s Raw Star when he won the first season hands down! He became an immediate favourite with the way he sang Galiyan & Maula in the show.
Pic Courtesy: Odisha Sun Times
Ananya Sritam Nanda
For Ananya, failures truly are the steps in the ladder to success. Rejected in the first season of Indian Idol Junior, she made a clear-cut stand for herself in its second season by graciously winning the show. Warmly referred to as ‘Rockstar Kanya Ananya’ by Sonakshi Sinha, she had impressed all the judges on the show while winning the hearts of the audience.
Pic Courtesy: Youtube.com
Padmini & Debashish
Contrary to tradition, it was the twelve-year-old Padmini, and not Debashish who did all the lifts in the dancing acts in one of India’s famous dance reality shows, India’s Dancing Superstar. Though the duo finished third, they didn’t fail to woo the judges and audiences with their stupendous performances.
Pragya Patra
In what she describes as a roller-coaster journey, Pragya Patra had made it to the Top 7 of The Voice India in 2015 and even wooed the judges on-stage with her excellent singing skills. Now with her own production company, various national and international projects, Pragya is one of those who dares to dream big and has whole-heartedly excelled in her singing passion. 
Pic Courtesy: Incredibe Orissa
Sunil Kumar Tandi
Though not in a reality show, Sunil Kumar Tandi, a district welfare officer posted at Sundargarh district, made news when he walked away richer by half a crore in the much-talked-about TV quiz show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, Season 9. Hailing from Balangir, Sunil, who had been trying for the hot seat for a long time, surely sent out a message to everyone that “Impossible is Nothing.”
Bhumika Ray
This 14-year-old student of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Balasore, impressed the judges at Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs 2017 with her melodious ‘Aaona gale lagaona’ and got through to the next level. She even received a standing ovation by the judges for her performance and was highly praised for her talent.
Jyoti Ranjan Sahu
This boy from Bhubaneswar, made it to the top 7 of the dance reality show Super Dancer 2, which was judged by Geeta Kapoor, Anurag Kashyap and Shilpa Shetty. The mini yoga baba, as he was fondly called on the show, won accolades for almost all his performances.
Barnali Hota
It was in April 2017 that the singing sensation Barnali Hota from Odisha along with the Mumbai-based band Euphony was declared the first runners-up at the grand finale of popular music reality show ‘Dil Hai Hindustani’, aired on Star Plus. Not just that, she was even one of the top 6 contestants on Zee TV’s, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs in 2011. In fact she is also one of the first singers from Odisha to lend her voice in Bangladeshi Film Industry.
Chelsi Behura
Chelsi grabbed limelight when she was applauded by judges and voters for her live performance in Rising Star-India’s first LIVE singing reality show in 2017. It was a mesmerising moment when she sang “Cham Cham” song which got her into the Top 14.
Pic Courtesy: Ollywoodlife.com
Satyajeet Jena
This 12-year-old boy from Keonjhar, had mesmerised the judges with his soulful rendition of ‘Mileho tum humko’ in the audition round and was also among the top contenders in the much popular Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs, aired on Zee TV. Unfortunately, he had to quit the show midway pertaining to his voice transition. But during his stint at the show, the little wonder left the judges and audiences enchanted with his singing skills and garnered a huge fan following who are still looking forward to see him sing on a regular basis.
Sabyasachi Satpathy
Sabyasachi (Shagoon) Satpathy, the first person from Odisha to have made way into the controversial Bigg Boss house had left a mark on the show for a lot of reasons. He not just appeared all sensible and matured in the show, but also won the hearts of many of his co-contestants for his excellent culinary skills. Though he got eliminated from the show after the first few weeks, he managed a huge fan following for his warm nature.
Shasank Sekhar
Hailing from Bhubaneswar and struggling to do big in the singing industry since the past 10 years, Shasank has finally managed to earn a name for himself and come to people’s attention through the currently running Rising Star India (Season 2). With his soothing voice, Shasank sang “Teri Meri Kahani” from the Bollywood movie “Gabbar” and not just wooed the judges, but also garnered 94% votes. We are sure he has a much long way to go, and the fame has just begun! 
Pic Courtesy: Odisha Sun Times
Aman Biswal
Just like Shasank, Aman is also of the participants who is rocking the currently running Rising Star India (Season 2). This 12-year-old young boy is from Bhubaneswar and is quite confident to leave an indelible mark on the minds of both judges and audiences through his power packed performances and amazing voice. We wish him great luck for his journey ahead.
Anasuru Nainika
Hailing from the Jharsuguda district of Odisha, Nainika has been stunning everyone with her spectacular dance performances in Dance India Dance Season-6 and has also made it to the top 5 contestants. A Zumba instructor by profession, she has enthralled not just the audiences and public who have been showering votes on her but is also mesmerising the judges and Grandmaster Mithun Chakraborty. We wish her tremendous luck to emerge a winner in this show! 
Picture Courtesy: Zee TV
Do let us know in the comment box below if we’ve missed out any popular name from Odisha who have made it big in the reality shows and national programmes.