Bhubaneswar Gives Grand Homecoming to Indian Idol Finalist Jyotirmayee Nayak

Bhubaneswar: The City of Temples rolled out the red carpet for Indian Idol Season 16 finalist and KIIT alumna Jyotirmayee Nayak, who received a grand homecoming after returning to Bhubaneswar following her qualification for the reality show’s grand finale.

A special felicitation ceremony was organised at the KIIT campus, where students, faculty members and staff greeted the singer with thunderous applause. Jyotirmayee also visited the KISS campus and interacted with students and well-wishers. She has created history by becoming the first Odia singer to reach the grand finale of the flagship Indian Idol competition, bringing pride to Odisha.

Congratulating the singer, KIIT and KISS Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta said Jyotirmayee had made Odisha and the entire KIIT-KISS family proud through her inspiring journey. He lauded her extraordinary talent, noting that she has already recorded more than 1,000 Odia songs, while also praising her humility and perseverance.

Dr. Samanta thanked Jyotirmayee for acknowledging KIIT throughout her Indian Idol journey and appealed to the entire KIIT-KISS fraternity to vote for and support her in the finale.

Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das, who attended the programme as the chief guest, congratulated Jyotirmayee on her remarkable achievement and expressed confidence that she would emerge as the winner of Indian Idol Season 16. KIIT-KISS Vice Chancellor Prof. Saranjit Singh, along with several Odia film actors, singers and other dignitaries, also extended their best wishes.

Expressing gratitude for the warm reception, Jyotirmayee thanked Dr. Samanta, the KIIT-KISS family and the people of Odisha for standing by her throughout the competition. She shared that performing alongside playback singer Shreya Ghoshal, whom she considers her idol, was a dream come true.

Recalling one of the most challenging phases of her Indian Idol journey, Jyotirmayee revealed that she had temporarily lost her voice before a crucial performance. However, she remained determined to perform, winning appreciation from the judges for her resilience and confidence.

“We have to have determination to succeed. It is now or never,” she said, urging aspiring singers to never give up on their dreams.

With the grand finale around the corner, Odisha is now rallying behind Jyotirmayee as she aims to become the first contestant from the state to lift the coveted Indian Idol trophy.