Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma & son Rahul on Waar Parriwar

Watch Mumbai Indians against Rajasthan Warriors! No we are not talking about IPL cricket. After the introduction of the 12 singing families last week, Waar Parriwar takes off to a great start with its first round of performances. The Bhagwat family of Mumbai takes on the mighty Ali-Ghani family from Rajasthan. The special celebrity judges this week are santoor maestro Shiv Kumar Sharma and his son Rahul making a rare appearance on a television show. In-house guru and trainer Jatin Pandit brings up the third angle of the triumvirate.

The Bhagwats comprise of young Akshay (of Chanda chamke…of Fanaa fame), mother Suchitra and father Madhav, while Ghani Mohammad and his brother Ali along with his son Amjad Ali are the formidable team of the Ali-Ghani family. The senior most member, Ghani Mohammad, played a Captains's Knock with not the expected traditional song of his region, but with Dil ke jharokhe mein tujhko bithakar from Brahmchari setting the tone for many surprises as the evening wore on. Suchitra Bhagwat responded with equal zest and fervor with Meri saason mein basa hai…

In the second round Ek aur Ek Gyarah, Ali Mohammad and son Amjad sang Teri yaad saath hai…While Suchitra teamed up with hubby Madhav to reply with Tum ho sanam mere humraaz… In the third and most interesting round of the contest, Hum Saath Saath Hain, the Bhagwats sang Tauba Tauba ishq main kariyan… while the Ali-Ghani family came up with the original version of Akheeyan udheekdiyan.

Said the beaming judge Shiv Kumar Sharma, "I loved the format of the show. It is the first of its kind in Indian television. It is very interesting and it gives a platform to such diverse talent from across the country." Rahul too was happy to accompany his father. "I normally never do this, but I was told it is about families from music backgrounds so I decided to join dad."

As for the host Ms Matondkar, she was simply over the top with her support for her Maharashtrian team. Aamchi mulgi Urmila offered unstinted support to young Akshay and even spoke to him and his grandmother in Marathi. But to be fair to the other teams she was her usual supportive self with the talented Rajasthani team as well.

While judges Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma and Rahul Sharma let their head rule their heart while judging the contestants, Jatin Pandit, decided to lend moral support to his "family members" by standing with them as they performed. Must say the impact was there for all to see--a sporting gesture that ensured great performances!

Stay glued to your TV sets from Monday to Wednesday at 8.00 p.m and remember a family that sings (well) together stays together on Waar Parriwar, only on Sony Entertainment Television.