'Never had own home': UAE blue-collar worker to build 'roof' with Dh5,000 won at talent contest
Grooving in sync, Kamal Kumar, a blue-collar worker from India, matched steps to the pulsating beats of the hit Indian film song Pushpa. He impressed the audience and judges with his performance and won the recent Smart Idol contest 2025 in the dance category.
Another contestant, Baljit Singh, a 42-year-old Indian technician who works in Abu Dhabi, won first prize in the music category and also brought home Dh5,000 cash prize. He trained in Indian classical music but was not able to pursue it professionally.
Launched in 2013, the Smart Idol contest is one of the most sought-after performing arts programmes for the blue-collar community in the UAE, conducted by SmartLife Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in Dubai. Kumar and Singh were this year's big winners.
After the contest finale held early this month at Pakistan Association Dubai, Kumar told Khaleej Times: 'This is a very special moment in my life. I never had a home of my own and am currently building one. This prize money (Dh5,000) would go into the construction of the roof.'
Hailing from the south Indian state of Kerala, Kumar, 27, earns a monthly salary of Dh1,500 – a significant portion of which is sent home to support his family. Growing up in a broken home, he said he faced many hardships. 'I started working odd jobs at construction sites even when I was in school,' he shared.
His love for dancing became his only ray of sunshine. A huge fan of South Indian film choreographer Raghava Lawrence, Kumar is inspired by fast-paced energetic dance moves. He said: 'You'll always catch me with my headsets on, during all my leisure hours and if there is music, my feet can never stay still.
His preparation for the contest began several months ago. After a gruelling 12-hour shift at a disposable packaging factory in Dubai, he would practice for more than three hours to follow his passion for dance. And it paid off in the end.
Big morale booster
For Singh, winning the Smart Idol contest in the music category, uplifted his belief in his talent. On the day of the contest, Singh – a fan of Sufi music – sang songs by Pakistani musician Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Indian singer Hans Raj Hans.
'The whole experience of participating in this contest, being on stage, and winning the title was very motivating. I had put in hours of practice after work. I also credit my fellow musician Fakir Hussain from Pakistan, who accompanied me on the Tabla. I have learned so much from him,' said Singh.
The prize money he won would go into building his home in Punjab, India. Confident and exhilarated by his recent win, he has now set his eyes on participating on a bigger platform.
Other winners
More than 1,000 blue-collar workers auditioned from over 40 labour camps across the UAE. Two hundred of them were shortlisted, and 20 made it to the finals. They were technicians, helpers, sales assistants, and administrators, from various nationalities who earn less than Dh3,000 monthly.
The finalists in Smart Idol underwent a five-week intensive training programme. The singers were coached by professional vocalists from Check123 Studio; and the dancers by Vibes Creative Arts Training Institute.
Aside from Kumar and Singh, other winners include 23-year-old Fonkem Brindley from Cameroon, who wooed the audience, with his vibrant and expressive dance on the Bollywood song, 'Chikni Chameli'. He was declared the runner-up in the dance category.
'In Cameroon, I used to dance on African music, but since I came to Dubai eight months ago, I fell in love with the foot-tapping Bollywood songs,' said Brindley, who works as a helper in Abu Dhabi and earns Dh1,000 as a monthly salary. His prize money of Dh1,500 will be sent to his family back home.
Meanwhile, Filipino expat and petrol pump attendant, Mark Salvana, got a second chance at the contest. Even after a setback last year he didn't lose hope and trained harder to bag the runner up prize in the singing category. He also brought home Dh1,500 cash prize.
He said: 'This win is the biggest achievement of my life. In between filling petrol, I would practice the songs. The competition was tough this year and all the singers were talented.'
'The best outcome of this contest for the participants was the training they received. It would help them to turn their passion into a future profession as well. Many of them are inducted into our Smart Band, which performs at various events throughout the year, helping them to earn an extra income for their talent. Many of our past winners have become professional singers and dancers and they now perform at hotels and events,' said Manju Mandal from SmartLife Foundation.
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