What's the fascination with rising star RAGHAV? SAIMINA VIRMANI catches up with the singer on the Mela Circuit

Need to buy some washing up liquid". They say that it is at the most difficult moments that people remember the unexpected.

In my case it was washing up liquid and it came just seconds before my brief encounter with the chap who has been tipped to be the next big thing - Raghav.

But you have to give me some credit. The setting was far from ideal. I could hear a chorus of 'We love you Raghav' humming in the background. A crowd of girls stood, wishing they were in my 'Choo's' (the heels of which had dug into the damp grass).

A few months ago nobody had heard of Raghav, but as was evident from the Mela, Ragh-a-mania has caused a stir across the nation.

I found myself asking 'Why the fascination with him?'

Raghav made the big move to relocate from captivating Calgary to livid Liverpool some three years ago. Lyrically talented and blessed with a knee quivering voice he emerged first onto the music scene when he teamed with 2Play for his debut hit 'So Confused'. As could have been predicted this went in straight to the top ten and it appears that he has not looked back since.

I must be honest. I was expecting him to have an air of arrogance about him, yet found myself to be genuinely surprised as he was very much the opposite.

Although this interview was all but the briefest, I managed to throw a few startling questions his way. Firstly "Are you arrogant?".

His reply was "No...but I suppose those around me are the best judge of that".

Hmm I thought. "You have all these people around you, lots of press attention, what keeps you down to earth?'.

With a rather coy look he credited his wise friends and family. Many young people can identify with him and he is a role model to some, when asked what this means to him, he replied with seriousness that he does see this as being a responsibility and an important role one that he aims to live up to.

'Are you single?' He blushed slightly, but instantly answered "Yes and the qualities that I look for in a girl are sincerity, honesty and an open heart"

Let us be realistic now. There are many talented singers that have burst into the music scene as of late. Lyricists that Asians can really relate to, producing music that is bearable too.

There is some tough competition out there especially with him being a 'foreigner', but as I found out the reason why he has been accepted with open arms by the public, is because he really sees the UK as his new home.

Considering that, I do believe that he does have somewhat of a head start.

Compared to some pansies who come into the music industry with dreams of making a couple of quick pounds to help fund dreams of a Bentley, I get the impression that making music really is Raghav's dream. Backing him up are his accreditations. As he studied at Paul McCartney's institute for Performing Arts in Liverpool he must surely must have some flair to have been a successful candidate by their standards.

Being a student one moment and a celebrity the next, is a lot for any person to take in; yet he was very interactive with the crowd and managed to create somewhat of a wave.

When faced with delirious faces from the media and screaming teenage girls, he remained unfazed and I could then see how he enjoyed basking in this attention.

I decided to shock him with one of those odd questions, "If you were a car, which car would you be?'.

He maintained his guard and coolly describe a vintage Jaguar...I'll let you figure it out (feel free to send your ideas to Saimina@hotmail.com!).

So what can we expect from this Canadian Moose turned Briton? Having not met him I would have said he is a light weight, here one moment gone the next, however after seeing fire alight I can confirm that he will be sticking around for a while yet.