ABU DHABI // Auditions for the popular TV show Million's Poet finish today, as the last budding Nabati, or Bedouin, poets compete to be finalists when the third season begins in January.
Although thousands audition only 48 poets will make it to the televised stages of the 16-week competition, which will be filmed live at Al Raha Beach Theatre in Abu Dhabi and broadcast on Abu Dhabi TV.
The stakes are higher this time, with bigger cash prizes including Dh5 million (US$1.4m) - up from Dh1m last year - for the winner. The auditions, which began on Monday at the National Theatre, have been taking place around the Gulf region and Jordan for the past five weeks.
In their search for contestants the show's judging panel travelled to Libya, a country that prides itself on its Bedouin heritage and cherishes the traditional Nabati dialect. While there, the judges invited a number of poets to audition in Abu Dhabi. Fans of the show will have to wait another few weeks to find out who has been chosen to compete.
Million's Poet has become the most popular show in the region. Its ratings have soared since the debut season, attracting millions of viewers and raising interest in a form of poetry that has been passed down through the generations.
There are several theories as to where and how traditional Nabati poetry originated. One is that it stems from the Arabic word nabat, which means "to derive from", and refers to the change in Arabic dialects as nomadic tribes began to emigrate.
The five judges will once again be Sultan al Amimi, a well-known writer and Nabati poet from the UAE, Dr Ghassan al Hassan, a professor and Arabic poetry specialist from Jordan, Turki al Murikhi, a magazine editor from Saudi Arabia, Hamad al Saeed, a Kuwaiti editor of a poetry magazine, and Badr al Sefoug, a founding member of several poetry magazines from Kuwait.
Those wishing to participate in season three must be aged between 18 and 45, and have a poem not exceeding 20 verses in the Nabati style. Assessment of the poets depends on several criteria, including rhythm, rhyme and presentation. Application forms are available in Million's Poet magazine or can be downloaded from the show's website www.nabati.ae
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
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Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
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Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
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UAE squad Saqib Nazir (captain), Aaqib Malik, Fahad Al Hashmi, Isuru Umesh, Nadir Hussain, Sachin Talwar, Nashwan Nasir, Prashath Kumara, Ramveer Rai, Sameer Nayyak, Umar Shah, Vikrant Shetty
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Rating: 5/5
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Director: Prosit Roy
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Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
Investment: $5.2 million
Funding stage: Seed round
Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office
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Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
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Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
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Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
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Price: From Dh59,700
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