Girish and The Chronicles: Rocking the world stage, ignored at home?

KARMA PALJOR

stage. And now, the mainstream has forgotten them

When Girish and The Chronicles (GATC) took the America’s Got Talent (AGT) stage for the quarterfinals on September 2, with their electrifying rock interpretation of Sia’s Unstoppable, the judges—and audience—couldn’t get enough. 

Howie Mandel perfectly summed up the moment: “You made this song your own — I’ve never heard it like this before. Absolutely loved it.” Mel B didn’t hold back either: “You are one of my favorite acts of the season. You’re different, and that’s what makes you stand out.” Even Simon Cowell, never one to be easily impressed, admitted: “This is what a live show should feel like. You gave us a proper rock concert.”

This spine-tingling performance should’ve echoed across every corner of Sikkim. After all, frontman Girish introduced them with pride: “We are from Sikkim, India.” To hear our state’s name reverberate on one of the world’s biggest stages—broadcast live into countless homes—is a thrill any of us would savour.

But back home? Almost nothing.

Pride abroad, silence at home

Despite earning the judges’ praise and captivating international audiences, GATC’s achievements met with a yawning silence in the state that should have been their biggest cheerleader. Born and raised in Gangtok, the band has battled their way from local pubs to international tours—and yet, the recognition from Sikkim remains minimal.

Contrast this with how inclusively others performing on Indian talent platforms have been embraced.

When others were celebrated like heroes

Take Prashant Tamang of Indian Idol fame, originally from Darjeeling—he wasn’t even a Sikkim native. Yet, the state rallied behind him. Cybercafés buzzed with SMS voting, local businesses contributed funds, schools pushed campaigns, and upon his triumphant return, a hero’s welcome awaited him.

Likewise, numerous Sikkimese performers on India’s Got Talent, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, and similar shows received massive response—public felicitation events, media coverage, and rounds of applause that echoed across the state.

But GATC? They bypassed the Indian reality-TV circuit, choosing a broader stage. And now, the mainstream has forgotten them.

Why the indifference?

Is it the absence of a voting-driven platform that makes people reluctant to rally behind them? Or perhaps rock and metal—the genres that define GATC’s music—don’t fit neatly within mainstream tastes here?

Whatever the reason, it does a disservice not just to the band but to Sikkim’s identity. These musicians have done what very few from our state have: put us on a global entertainment map. They deserve more than a passing nod—they deserve our cheers.

A call we can’t ignore

Why does Sikkim hesitate to celebrate its own, even when the world already has? When will we show appreciation for those who carry our name boldly across borders?

GATC’s success is not theirs alone—it belongs to all of us who call this state home. Their rise from Gangtok to global TV screens is a milestone in our shared history.

It’s high time our media, institutions, and people recognised that.

They’ve already made the world listen. At the very least, we can ensure they are heard at home.

(Karma Paljor is editor-in-chief. EastMojo. Courtesy: www.eastmojo.com)