KUALA LUMPUR: Malaccan Amir Masdi may have won Astro Ria’s reality talent show Akademi Fantasia 2016, recently but third-placed Kareshma Martin Patrick, or Reshma, 18, has garnered quite a bit of attention as well.
The talented lass who lives in Shah Alam, but spent five years in New Plymouth, New Zealand, when she was 8, impressed audiences in the 8-week contest with her powerful vocals.
Her fans increased each week during the competition, and made their presence felt in concert venue Wisma MBSA, Shah Alam, by singing Reshma Boleh to the tune of The Saints Go Marching In.
Reshma, the younger of two sisters, is the first Malaysian Indian to crack the top five, and the third in the show’s 14-year history. (Astro Arena newscaster Rueben Thevandran participated in AF1 (2003) and finished ninth, while Jasper James joined Reshma in AF 2016 and finished 10th).
“I’ve grown up surrounded by music, as my parents are music-lovers. They love Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston among others,” said Reshma in a recent interview.
As a pre-teen, Reshma took piano lessons, and taught herself to play the guitar and ukulele.
“When in New Zealand, I joined a singing and songwriting competition, and finished sixth. From there, I realised music was my calling,” she said.
Reshma, who was encouraged by close friends to join AF 2016, said: “At first, I was reluctant to join, as I needed to brush up on my Malay. However, my parents said things would be all right.”
She added: “I also realised AF is 1Malaysia with Malay, Chinese, Indian, Sabahan and Sarawakian hopefuls.”
Reshma became best friends with female contestants Riana Azmi, Rahila Rashun and Afi Thomas, and male contestants Amir, Amal Osman, and Ikram Kamaruzzaman. She was the youngest of the 15.
“Language was not a barrier, all of them speak English, and furthermore, I can speak simple Malay.
“We bonded like a Bangsa Malaysia family, and learnt about each other’s states, foods and cultures,” she said.
Reshma also got along with her teachers, especially music instructor Mas Idayu and performance instructor Ellie Suriaty Omar.
“Mas and Ellie are strict, but they are approachable and listened to problems we voiced out,” she said.
As for principal Datuk Shake, Reshma describes him as “cool and compassionate.”
She added: “I admire music director Edry Abdul Halim, who created my song in the finals, Sayang Jadi Benci. He’s very knowledgeable in music and more.”
Reshma is also grateful that judges Datuk Ramli MS and Datuk AC Mizal were kind to her.
“But I’m glad they pointed out my weaknesses because I need constructive criticism,” she said.
Reshma’s favourite concert on the show was the fifth, when she sang Datuk Jamal Abdillah’s Aku Penghiburmu and was commended by the singer himself.
Although she has a long way to go, Reshma said that she is happy to have joined AF.
“I would love to write and compose Malay songs for myself, but I must first sing more in the national language,” she added.