GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
As we collectively work towards emerging from the grips of the worldwide pandemic, Zee TV – India’s leading Hindi general entertainment channel recognizes the amazing power of music in uniting, healing, and uplifting the mood of the nation. In fact, ever since its inception 25 years ago, the channel’s longest-running non-fiction franchise – Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has leveraged this power of music in helping the common man rise above his circumstances – 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 TV is coming up with an industry-first initiative, Ek Desh Ek Raag, a fund-raising concert to help humanity cope better with the testing times through the power of music. ‘Ek Desh Ek Raag’ will start on Saturday, May 23 with a 25-hour Music Marathon on digital. The 25 Year milestone will culminate in a grand concert on Sunday May 24, 7 pm onwards in 10 languages across 19 ZEE channels with the most iconic faces of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa singing from the confines of their homes.
The stalwarts of the Indian music industry, including Himesh Reshammiya, Udit Narayan, Shaan, Richa Sharma, Javed Ali, Alka Yagnik are all set to perform at the concert! And while the acts will surely make the viewers’ hearts soar with joy, they will also get a glimpse into the lives of these musicians at home, especially during Lockdown. In fact, the audience will see Himesh Reshammiya even making tea for his wife, Sonia, for the very first time. And when Shaan asked light-heartedly about why he was making tea, Himesh replied that it was his wife who had asked him to! He went on to joke, “Corona se nahin darna chahiye, biwi se darna chahiye abhi,” leaving Shaan laughing his heart out!
The duo continued their fun banter with Shaan talking about a comment made by Himesh that became quite popular on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.
The singer had once told a contestant, “Mujhe Tere Ghar Pe Roti Chahiye!” The comment expressed how he wanted to see the contestant making a successful living out of his singing talent. Taking into consideration the popularity of that one comment, Shaan asked Himesh to make a song out of it and not one to disappoint, Himesh instantly obliged!
For the ardent fans of Himesh Reshamiya, this will be an unforgettable experience watching the singer make tea as well as sing a completely new track. The ace musician will be a part of both the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa LIVE-athon as well as the Ek Desh Ek Raag concert. “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. In fact, 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,” mentioned Himesh Reshammiya.
