When an Indian-Pakistani duo was crowned the winners of the Camp Ka Champ 2015 contest in the wee hours of Friday what thousands of workers witnessed was not just the victory of their singing talents.

It was also the victory of their friendship beyond the border that blossomed in Abu Dhabi's Al Salam Living City.

Tayyab Tahir 24 from Lahore and Deepak Sharma 25 from Rajasthan work as catering company supervisor and restaurant supervisor respectively inside the city that houses some 20000 workers.

Both work under the same group of companies Four N Property and live in rooms facing each other. Their friendship started a year ago when Tayyab moved to Al Salam Living City. Music cemented their bond along the corridors and common bathroom areas in their accommodation. "We both are basically bathroom singers without any training. But we love music and that is what spurred our bond" a jubilant Tayyab told Khaleej Times.

When the announcement for auditions to find the best singers of Bollywood songs from the UAE's labour accommodation was made Tayyab wanted to give it a try. Deepak was rather reluctant and not confident.

"I took his hand in my hand and said come we will go for the audition. Together we can do it" said Tayyab. Once they were selected in the auditions on August 7 it was Deepak who kept saying "all is well ... we can make it." Since then the duo started practising for at least two hours every night.

The pair is grateful to their management who provided a room karaoke set and sound system for them. The in-house programmes organised for the workers in the city further boosted their confidence. They performed in and hosted shows including one to celebrate the independent days of both India and Pakistan together on August 13.

"There are very disappointing things happening along our LoC (Line of Control) and between the political parties of our countries. But things are different with us.... We are very happy living and eating together. We want peace between our countries" said Tayyab.

Deepak said the contest connected their families as well. "They prayed for both of us. Tayyab's mother spoke to me and blessed me."

The pair said they had felt more confident because most of the 4000 contestants this year were either uneducated or less educated. However they said it was not an easy task to win the much acclaimed title of Western Union Camp Ka Champ (Champ of the Camp) now in its ninth year.

The duo became the champions of the antakshari contest after beating 23 semifinalist pairs who performed at the grand finale held at Jiwin Staff Accommodation in Muhaisnah on Thursday night.

Thousands of workers from various camps who rooted for their favourite contestants gave rousing cheers as they walked away with Dh35000 worth gold and return flight tickets to home countries and many gift hampers from sponsors.

The duo said they will convert the gold and share the prize money. "This will help me close my house loan in India" said Deepak. Tayyab is planning to buy a property in Pakistan.

Singer of the Season

Another Indian Mustakkim Shaikh won the title of Singer of the Season. Chosen for his individual talents Mustakkim won a Dh35000 cash award from Du.

The 26-year-old technician from Voltas Dubai said the win has inspired him to try his luck to make it even bigger in the music industry.

Rupa Vinod managing director of Right Track Advertising which organized the event said the contest has grown bigger and better in size and quality over the years. "It is heartening to see how the contestants and the standard of the contest have improved over the years and how much of joy it gives to thousands of workers in the UAE."

The ninth season of the UAE's largest singing contest for the labour community also saw the selection of three singers through a radio competition to mentor the contestants.

An album with compilation of songs by past and present contestants as well as the CKC Gurus (the mentors) was launched at the finale to an audience full of awe and cheer.

The event also witnessed the launch of a dedicated website (www.campkachamp.com) for the contest that had become the subject of reports in international media and a documentary movie in the past.

Sajila Saseendran