It was an enchanting evening of pulsating music with hot contestants in shimmering gowns, elegant, dazzling sarees, and stylish casual wear setting the stage at Pragjyoti ITA cultural complex at Machkhowa, Guwahati on fire. The event was the second edition of beauty pageant ‘The Eclectic Model Hunt’, organized by The Eclectic, Northeast India’s ‘Number One’ English magazine that has added one more feather to its cap recently by introducing an exclusive music supplement billed Eclectic Vibes.

The Eclectic Model Hunt is a platform that offers aspiring young talents of the Northeast a chance to step into the world of glamour and glitz where many a youngster from the region have carved a niche for themselves with successful modelling assignments.

The grand finale of the beauty pageant on October 10, which was sponsored by Ponds White Beauty, began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Tulsi Govinda Baruah, chairman of the Assam Tribune Group of Publication. And soon after the attractions of the evening unfolded one after another.

As the evening’s anchor Sattyakee D'Com Bhuyan and his co-anchor Pomi Baruah took the stage, an air of expectancy was palpable in the packed auditorium, with people eagerly waiting to witness glamour and beauty on the stage to end their ‘model hunt’. The tone was set by a beautiful group dance recital ‘Mahaganapati Vandana’ performed by the students of classical danseuse Indira PP Bora.

Then one by one the eighteen contestants of this mega event came on the stage to introduce themselves with audio-visual support to the accompaniment of lovely music. The beauties walked the ramp in four different rounds displaying outfits created by designer Payal Chaddha of Gallery 2000, and the Cocktail Brand.

The evening also witnessed Tripura girl Sourabhee Debbarma, the latest singing star of television reality show Indian Idol, rollicking with some electrifying Bollywood hits, besides enthralling performances by acclaimed flautist Deepak Sharma and his Band of Brothers, and the members of the band Moonwind.

When it came to announcing the ultimate winners, Nihasa Das walked tall amongst all the contestants bagging the coveted ‘The Eclectic Super Model’ crown. Pooja Jha and Preeti Kaman followed her with the first runner-up and the second runner-up titles. There were also a number of subtitles up for grabs. The different winners were Pooja Jha — Miss Congeniality; Dolly Saikia — Miss Photogenic; Priyanka Choudhury — Miss Beautiful Hair; Yanger Jamir — Miss Beautiful Skin; and Himakshi Agarwalla — Miss Catwalk.

The judges panel comprised Padmashree award winning journalist Patricia Mukhim, supermodel-actor Marc Robinson, designer Daniel Syiem, actress-producer Bobeeta Sharma and Bollywood actor Tarun Arora who were very much impressed with the overall presentation of the eighteen contestants and the way they exuded confidence while facing the jury.

Earlier, the managing editor of The Eclectic magazine, Tanushree Hazarika welcomed the gathering in the glittering event that was attended by a host of dignitaries. The winner of the model hunt was crowned by Parama Hazarika, chairman, The Eclectic Group.

Mridumoloy