Sanjaya Malakar and his sister Shyamali Malakar

The American Idol Show has seen a lot of colorful individuals ever since it's first season. The show also has had it's fair share of controversies and controversial decisions. Sanjay Malakar may or may not be the worst performer on the show, but he surely is all set to become the most popular individual on the show.

Sanjaya Malakar is of Indian origin and was born to a Bengali father and an Italian-American mother in Seattle area. His father is a classical singer, and therefore Sanjaya is from a musical background.

Sanjaya Malakar first came on the show with his sister, Shyamali Malakar, during the current and sixth episode of the reality show. Though his sister was cut off after the Hollywood round, Sanjaya stayed on to what could be history in American Idol.Sanjaya Malakar has been the point of much ridicule, critique and controversy during his stint as a American Idol Show contestant. He is now one of the finalists for the show.

During his first performance, he wore a fake Mohawk, made up of multiple ponytails. For some inexplicable reason, the show's host and judge, Ryan Seacrest wore a similar fake Mohawk at the end of the program. That was on March 27, and April 4 saw him as one of the nine contestants.

He is said to be in the 'middle three'. He is now in the Top 5. Sanjay's claim to fame has not been bereft of controversy. It is difficult to decide whether he is more hated or more loved by fans and followers of the show. Howard Stern had announced on his radio show that he'd be voting again, and again, and again to have Sanjaya Malaka win, which was taken as a cue by Stern's fan following.

Sanjaya's popularity and winning ways may be strange at first sight, but then, it is simply a case of rooting for the underdog, only in this case, it was rooting for the hopeless - until yesterday.

Till date, Sanjaya has performed 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered', 'Some Kind of Wonderful', 'Knocks Me Off My Feet', 'Stepping' Out With My Baby', 'Waitin' On The World To Change', 'Ain't no Mountain High Enough', 'You Really Got Me', 'Cheek To Cheek', and 'Besame Mucho'.

In what would be remembered as a master stroke, Sanjaya Malakar sung a Spanish song, 'Bésame Mucho' as a mark of respect to guest mentor, Jennifer Lopez on the show. To complete the look, Malakar had come with a hair style that closely resembled the one of Mark Antony. Jennifer Lopez had to admit that he sang very well, and said that he was one of the smartest contestants she had ever met. Simon Conwell, possibly Sanjaya's greatest critic, also said that his performance wasn't 'horrible'. Whether Sanjaya wins the American Idol or not, he has made the grade of a professional TV performers from an amateur singer.

A judge had previously stated that he'd resign from his post if Sanjaya Malakar wins the American Idol.Most people say that Sanjaya has little or no vocal expertise. They think that if Sanjaya would win, it would be just a huge joke. But his popularity is no joke. His fans have created pages on MySpace, and have also created pages which have declared him the winner of American Idol. Others, like MTV Host Jim Cantiello says that Sanjaya has been instrumental in getting a new culture into America.

Sanjaya is also the latest pick of the website 'VoteForTheWorst' which pick the worst contestant in American Idol. Other Idol watchers have said they have started a hunger strike till Sanjaya is not eliminated from the show.