GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
While humanity strives to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic challenge, we need a strong force to bind us as a collective and inspire us, as a community, to rally and support the front-line care-givers and workers who have toiled selflessly for the greater good. And there is nothing better than Music which holds the amazing power to unite, heal and uplift the mood of the nation. Ever since its inception 25 years ago, India’s longest-running non-fiction franchise – Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has leveraged the power of music in uplifting the common man – giving him the country’s most definitive platform to showcase his singing talent. It is only befitting, then, that with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa crossing its 25-year milestone in 2020, ZEE is all set to leverage its network strength by way of a truly unique initiative that endeavours to help humanity rise above the gloom of the pandemic through the power of music.
This industry-first phenomenon ‘Ek Desh Ek Raag’will start on May 23 with a 25-hour Music Marathon on digital with over 350 performances by popular singers across 11 ZEE Social Pages that capture the vibrancy of the sur, taal and spirit of every Indian sub-culture. Viewers will have the opportunity to do their bit for the underprivileged by contributing to GIVEINDIA- India’s largest and most trusted giving platform through an active ‘Donate’ Link during the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa LIVE-athon. The 25 Year milestone will culminate in a grand Ek Desh Ek Raag concert on May 24, 7 pm onwards in 10 national languages across 19 ZEE channels with the most iconic faces of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa -Udit Narayan, Shaan, Richa Sharma, Himesh Reshammiya, Javed Ali, Sourav Ganguly, Kamal Khan, Vijay Prakash and Debojitamongst many others singing from the confines of their homes. The concert will feature some of the biggest singers, composers, musicians and contestants from across the length and breadth of the nation, true to its promise of –‘Ek Desh, Ek Raag’.
In times of social distancing and no shoots, this digital and televised concert shot from the homes of every popular Sa Re Ga Ma Pa face is a format breakthrough and content innovation bound to bring joy to every music aficionado who has followed the franchise over the years.
Speaking about the thought behind this initiative, Prathyusha Agarwal, Chief Consumer Officer – Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited said, “Having served as an extraordinary platform opening up opportunities for countless singers, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa holds a special place in every Indian’s heart and has created several music icons across the many Bharats. What better way to mark this glorious occasion and take this legacy forward than standing with the nation to rise above this tough time. With some of the best music talent across the country choosing to be on this platform, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has managed to attract a massive follower base reaching over 760 Mn TV audiences and over 1.2 Bn Reach on social in 2019. Music has the power to touch hearts, strike the right chords and give strength to people during the toughest of times. With ‘Ek desh, Ek Raag’, we have curated 2 events. A digital event on Facebook – The Live-A-Thon is a 25-hour singing Marathon, LIVE on Facebook across the network social assets culminating in a pan-India music concert on television featuring the most notable talent from Sa Re Ga Ma Pa across 19 ZEE channels. The idea is to harness the strong equity of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa that transcends regional boundaries for the greater good and urge people to donate with all their hearts.”
Shaan revealed, “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has been close to my heart since the very beginning and seeing it complete 25 years is truly surreal. The show has given India some of its finest musical talent and having hosted the show for several years, I feel honoured to be the sutradhaar of this industry-first concert where the most popular faces of the franchise cutting across regional boundaries perform for India during such a testing time from the confines of their homes. I believe that music has the power to uplift people’s moods and I am sure Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’s Ek Desh Ek Raag will be able to help people rise above the gloom of this pandemic. The show will be a heart-warming affair and I hope the audience enjoys it.”
Himesh Reshammiya added, “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has been the most popular and loved musical franchises in India and I am not surprised that it is the first reality show to complete 25 years as it has been at the pinnacle of non-fiction shows since its inception. I have been associated with the show for more than 15 years, so it is even more special to me and I am honoured to be a part of ‘Ek Desh, Ek Raag’ – a never-heard-before 25-hour Live-a-thon and the mega-concert. I can’t wait to perform for all the music lovers across India and cheer them up during this testing period.”
Udit Narayan also mentioned, “The platform of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has always been very special to me as apart from giving our music fraternity some of its finest talent, the show has even launched my son Aditya as a host. I was already a part of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs 2020 this year, but now I am even more thrilled to be a part of the Ek Desh Ek Raag concert to celebrate 25 years of the popular music franchise. I am personally looking forward to performing for the viewers during this one of a kind concert where we, as the faces of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa are singing from the comfort of our homes. It will truly be a musical treat for one and all and it will surely help uplift the mood of people across the world during the COVID-19 Lockdown.”
