SRGMP Partcipants/Host Info with Pics

Amanat Ali

They call me: Amanat Ali

Have walked this earth for: 19 years

I hail from: Faislabad, Pakistan

Alma Mater: Beacon House

Down the memory lane:
At the age of 16 I organized a musical show for my school. At my head mistress's wedding I organized a musical show and got Rs.50000. Also when I met Nusrat fateh Ali khan sahib.I am an ardent fan of his and got an opportunity to perform in his presence. Nusrat sahib was impressed & gave me an "amanat" of Rs 500/ as a prize.I still treasure this memorable gift.

Hobbies: Playing Cricket, snooker, and going for long drive.

Favorite personality: Sonu Nigam

Favorite Actor: Shahrukh Khan

Message to viewers: I want all the love from the viewers. Their love can only make me a big & a real star.

First Love: I want all the love from the viewers. Their love can only make me a big & a real star.

Amrita Chatterjee

They call me: Amrita Chatterjee

Have walked this earth for: 27 years

I hail from: Kolkata

Alma Mater: Bongaigaon College (Assam)

Down the memory lane:
When I was in 1st standard, instead of submitting, I took my exam answer sheet back home. One of my happiest moments was when I got awarded in National Youth festival in Assam when I was in 9th standard.

Hobbies: writing poems, singing, cooking

Favorite personality: Jaya Bachchan

Favorite Actors: Amitabh Bacchant & Jaya Bachchan

Message to viewers: Please support me.

First Love: music

Aneek Dhar

They call me: Aneek Dhar

Have walked this earth for: 18 years

I hail from: Kolkatta

Alma Mater: -

Down the memory lane:

Hobbies: Music is my passion. Besides I love to play cricket and love entertaining people

Favorite personality: Sonu Nigam

Favorite Actor: Shahrukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit

Message to viewers: Enjoy life to the fullest

First Love: When I was in class in 11th I used to like this girl called Deboparna..Perhaps she was my first love

Anita Bhatt

They call me: Anita Bhatt ( Laddo)

Have walked this earth for: 18 years

I hail from: Luckhnow

Alma Mater: Kendriya Vidyalaya ,Aliganj

Down the memory lane:
One of the sweetest memories I have is the one when I received a Nataraj from Rajyapal Suraj Bhan in kathak dance. One of the happiest moments is also when I got selected for sa re ga ma pa. But the most saddest moment which I would not be able to forget is when my mother got a paralytic attack.

Hobbies: Music is my passion. Besides I love to play cricket and love entertaining people

Favorite personality: my elder sister Mrs. Sunita Sharma

Favorite Actor: Abhishek & Aishwarya

Message to viewers: please vote for me.

First Love: Sai Baba & my family.

Apurva

They call me: Apurva

Have walked this earth for: 27 years

I hail from: Mumbai

Alma Mater: P.D. Lions College

Down the memory lane:
I have won close to 100 awards singing during my college

Hobbies: Swimming, Traveling

Favorite personality: Sonu Nigam

Favorite Actor: Amitabh Bachchan

Message to viewers: Thank you for believing in me.

First Love: Had one long ago but I don't know where she is now.

Binay Mohanty

They call me: Binay Mohanty

Have walked this earth for: 27 years

I hail from: Rourkela

Alma Mater: Rourkela Government College

Down the memory lane:
Playing cricket with my four brothers in the village during my childhood. Feasting with all my friends & family during the vacations by the sea beach.

Hobbies: Singing, Traveling

Favorite personality: my Guruji Pt. Chandrakant Apte

Favorite Actor: Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini

Message to viewers: I want your love & support.

First Love: music

Brijesh Shandilya

They call me: Brajesh Shandilya

Have walked this earth for: 25 years

I hail from: Basti

Alma Mater: Sampoorna Nand Inter College

Down the memory lane:
There was a girl whom I used to like a lot during my college days but I was too shy to tell her. She must have been happily married by now.

Hobbies: acting, playing football.

Favorite personality: Manna Dey

Favorite Actor: Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan

Message to viewers: please pray for me. I would try my level best to live up to your expectations.

First Love: the person I'm dating right now.

Desh Gaurav Singh

They call me: Desh Gaurav Singh

Have walked this earth for: 22 years

I hail from: Pratapgarh,U.P

Alma Mater: Government Inter College

Down the memory lane: -

Hobbies: Mimicry and Singing

Favorite personality: My First Guru Ji, Jitendra Pratap Singh and also Sonu Nigam

Favorite Actor: Amitabh Bachchan and Neetu Singh

Message to viewers: -

First Love: Music

Harpreet Deol

They call me: Harpreet Deol

Have walked this earth for: 22 years

I hail from: Ludhiana

Alma Mater: Punjab University

Down the memory lane:
Lots of good memories of Ludhiana with my GF. Whenever I went out with her was a memorable moment.

Hobbies: Singing, sleeping and talking to my Gf at night

Favorite personality: Bhagat Singh and Mohd. Rafi Sahab

Favorite Actor: I love Anupam Kher

Message to viewers: -

First Love: I have only one! My current GF. She is my first and last love.

Imran Aslam Mohammad

They call me: Imran Aslam Mohammad

Have walked this earth for: 25 years

I hail from: South Africa

Alma Mater: Islamic High School (Pakistan)

Down the memory lane:
Dogs hate me. I got bitten by dogs 7 times. Got a terrible electric shock when I was a kid.

Hobbies: cricket, badminton, singing

Favorite personality: Udit Narayan

Favorite Actor: Amitabh Bachchan , Priya Gill

Message to viewers: I want your support

First Love: My wife Sumaiya

Junaid Sheikh

They call me: Junaid Sheikh

Have walked this earth for: 24 Yrs

I hail from: Karachi

Alma Mater: Sachal Sarmast Commerce College

Down the memory lane: -

Hobbies: Singing, composing new melodies, working out and playing the guitar

Favorite personality: Salman Khan

Favorite Actor: Salman Khan,Amitabh Bachchan & Ajay Devgan

Message to viewers: Thank you for believing in me. Please keep loving me and supporting me in the near future also.

First Love: Had one long ago but I don't know where she is now.

Mauli Dave

They call me: Mauli Dave

Have walked this earth for: 19 Yrs

I hail from: Houston, Texas

Alma Mater: University Of Houston

Down the memory lane:
My most memorable day was when I was crowned Miss Teen India Texas 2007

Hobbies: Playing Tennis, I am also a professional dancer

Favorite personality: A.R. Rehman

Favorite Actor: Shahrukh Khan, Amir Khan and Abhishek Bachchan

Message to viewers: I am a complete and honest performer and music is my life. Please shower your blessings on me. I need it more than anything.

First Love: I had too many crushes when I was in school. I used to admire anyone who was into sports. My first big crush was on Suniel Shetty after watching him the the movie "Mohra".

Meghana Verma

They call me: Meghana Verma

Have walked this earth for: 23 Yrs

I hail from: Pune

Alma Mater: Mata Gujali College

Down the memory lane:
Won the national award in a youth festival at Andhra Pradesh

Hobbies: Dancing and Shopping

Favorite personality: My Father

Favorite Actor: Wahida Rahman and Sharmila Tagore

Message to viewers: Please be true to your vote, my life now depends in your hands so please do justice.

First Love: My first love was Shahid Afridi when I was in the 7th Std. Now there is somebody else but I can't reveal his name.

Mussarat Abbas

They call me: Mussarat Abbas

Have walked this earth for: 25 Yrs

I hail from: Lahore

Alma Mater: Punjab University

Down the memory lane:
I am a big fan of kishore Kumar, KK & R D Burman. I have not gone through any formal training in singing and started singing at the age of 10 after listening to the songs of Ghulam Ali .Ever since I have been giving performances and winning awards for the same.

Hobbies: Collecting good music

Favorite personality: Ghulam Ali Khan

Favorite Actor: Amitabh Bachchan & Ajay Devgan

Message to viewers: Just vote for the best one.

First Love: In Islamabad when I was a pianist there was this girl who used to come just to see my performance. She was just exquisite and seemed like an angel. After few days she asked me out but I was too young at that time and so said no.

Nirupama Dey

They call me: Nirupama Roy

Have walked this earth for: 24 Yrs

I hail from: Agartala (Tripura)

Alma Mater: Maharaja Bir Bikram College

Down the memory lane:
My most prized possession is the Mickey Mouse locket that my father gifted me when I passed my 12th standard.

Hobbies: painting, cooking, dancing, traveling

Favorite personality: Dr. Rajeev

Favorite Actor: Amitabh Bachchan , Rani Mukherjee, Aishwarya Rai, Aamir Khan

Message to viewers: please vote for me.

First Love: Dr. Rajeev & music

Poonam Yadav

They call me: Poonam Yadav

Have walked this earth for: 26 Yrs

I hail from: Lucknow

Alma Mater: Sanskrit Pathshala kanya Inter College

Down the memory lane:
I lost my father even before I was born. My mother used to work at other people's home to make both ends meet. As a kid I remember waiting all alone for my mother to come back. There were days when we had to starve as there wouldn't be any food at home.

Hobbies: Listening to music.

Favorite personality: Asha ji

Favorite Actor: Amitabh Bachchan & Shahrukh Khan

Message to viewers: Make sure that only the deserving candidate wins

First Love: I can't name him as he is about to get married.

Reecha Tripathy

They call me: Reecha Tripathy

Have walked this earth for: 21 years

I hail from: Allahabad, U.P / Vancouver, Canada

Alma Mater: Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada

Down the memory lane:
I remember this incident in school when I gave the exams for the first time. Instead of giving my papers back to my teachers I brought them home. And I got a tight slap from my parents because of that.

Hobbies: traveling, hiking, trekking, adventure sports & learning new languages.

Favorite personality: I don't believe in the concept.

Favorite Actor: Amitabh Bachchan, Arshad Warsi, Aamir Khan, Kajol, Rani

Message to viewers: please vote for me!

First Love: Music (last)

Saberi Bhattacharya

They call me: Saberi Bhattacharya

Have walked this earth for: 23 years

I hail from: Kolkata

Alma Mater: Gokhale Memorial Girls College

Down the memory lane:
I remember this incident when some body proposed to me by saying "Saberi you are my life".

Hobbies: I love reading books and surfing the net

Favorite personality: No one as such

Favorite Actor: Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai

Message to viewers: I want to promise them that I will give them a performance to the best of my capabilities. And very humbly I would want to ask them to shower their blessings on me.

First Love: I want to mention his name but his parents might make his life hell once this fact gets revealed. He is "Daboo" (someone too shy)

Rimi Dhar

They call me: Rimi Dhar

Have walked this earth for: 18 years

I hail from: Jabalpur

Alma Mater: Beacon House

Down the memory lane:
I used to play truant in school. I was notorious for eve teasing guys.:)

Hobbies: Singing

Favorite personality: Ustad Rashid Khan

Favorite Actor: Akshay Kumar and Rani Mukherjee

Message to viewers: Please Support the best Voice

First Love: Music

Sayan Chaudhuri

They call me: Sayan Chaudhuri

Have walked this earth for: 18 years

I hail from: kolkata

Alma Mater: Don Bosco School

Down the memory lane:
My first performance in my school auditorium.

Hobbies: I love listening to all kinds of music especially English.

Favorite personality: Enrique Iglesias.

Favorite Actor: Aamir Khan

Message to viewers: I need your support.

First Love: my clothes.

Sikander Ali

They call me: Sikander Ali

Have walked this earth for: 27 years

I hail from: Karachi, Pakistan

Alma Mater: Mile Stone School

Down the memory lane:
Used to bunk the school many times, was caught and beaten up by mom badly. I also used to be politically very active, especially in college.

Hobbies: Playing the guitar, keyboard,

Favorite personality: Amitabh Ji and Kishore Kumar Ji

Favorite Actor: One and only Amitabh Bachchan

Message to viewers: -

First Love: She used to stay opposite my building, we went around for 8 yrs.

Sreshtha Banerjee

They call me: Sreshtha Banerjee

Have walked this earth for: 22 years

I hail from: Kolkata

Alma Mater: Sachal Sarmast Commerce College

Down the memory lane: -

Hobbies: Chatting with friends, eating good food, Reading stories.

Favorite personality: Asha Ji and Lata Ji

Favorite Actor: Amitabh Bachchan & Aamir Khan

Message to viewers: I would like to say that I will give my best possible performance. Please shower your blessings and love on me so that I can go a long way in the competition. The audience is the ultimate judge for an artist and an artist is incomplete without the audience. I promise to give my 100%.

First Love: Yet to find out

Sumana Ganguly

They call me: Sumana Ganguly

Have walked this earth for: 27 years

I hail from: Canada

Alma Mater: Mile Stone School

Down the memory lane:

Hobbies: Playing Badminton and Watching Cricket. I also love shopping for clothes and accessories.

Favorite personality: Asha Ji and Lata Ji

Favorite Actor: Shahrukh Khan, Juhi, Kajol and Rani Mukherjee

Message to viewers: Please help me to realize my dream of winning this competition.

First Love: When I was 18 yrs old I fell in love with this guy who was only 15.That was the first time I fell in love.

Sumedha Karmak

They call me: Sumedha Karmak

Have walked this earth for: 18 years

I hail from: Rajnandgaon, Chattishgarh

Alma Mater: GCG Chandigarh

Down the memory lane:
I had lots of fun in school. I remember roaming around with my friends aimlessly on my Scooty and honking just to garner attention.

Hobbies: Movies, hanging out with friends & singing

Favorite personality: Asha Bhonsle

Favorite Actor: Amitabh n Aamir Khan

Message to viewers: Watch Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and please vote for the contestants who you feel are deserving. Some one who can sing as well as perform well…..like me

First Love: sssssssshhhhh

Sneak peek into the life of Aditya Narayan

No more the 'chota bachcha…'

Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2007 is presenting Aditya Udit Narayan, the 20 year young gun who is all set to prove his father right when he said "Papa kehte hai bada naam karega…" .So many people will remember Aditya who was Salman Khan's son in 'jab pyaar kiya toh darna kya' and the voice behind the popular song from the Aamir Khan starer 'Akele Hum Akele Tum' singing 'O I live you daddy!

Aditya Narayan was missing from the social circuit since the guy was busy studying contemporary music from London. Coming back and accepting a dare as big as the greatest musical talent hunt on Indian Television, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, was a coup of sorts. And if this was not enough, the little man also has the uphill task of holding together four of the biggest names from the music industry – the mentors on Challenge 2007, youth sensation and the very iconic Himmesh Reshammiya, the duo behind some of the latest hits in recent times like Pyaar Main Kabhi Kabhi, Bluffmaster and lately Honeymoon Travels and Tara Rum Pum, Vishal and Shekhar, the only man to have sung with Kishore Kumar and KK Menon in the same lifetime, Bappi Lahiri and lastly, the one responsible for combining classical music with new age notes, Ismail Darbar.

The scale and scope of this mega show is enough to make the best of people to break into cold sweat. But not Aditya, who charmed not only the live audience from the sets, but also the mentors and the participants alike. The video game fanatic is a treat to the eyes and ears as he sings one rendition after another with ease and flamboyance. In fact his new look on the show, modeled by Narendra Kumar, is young and yuppy – jeans and cargos for the very first time on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa!!

Catch the young gun on this musical journey at Hero Honda Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, every Fri-Sat at 10 pm on Zee TV.

Selected Films

Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005) Bombay Girls (2001) Haste Hasate (1998) Big Boss (1995) Prem Yog (1994) Disco Dancer (1983) Namak Halaal (1982) Shikshaa (1979) Surakshaa (1979) College Girl (1978) Dil Se Mile Dil (1978) Khoon Ki Pukaar (1978) Tere Pyaar Mein (1978) Toote Khilone (1978) Aap Ki Khatir (1977)
• Haiwan (1977)

Sneak peek into the life of Bappida

Bappi Lahiri or Bappida as he is affectionately known, pioneered the use of disco music in Indian cinema, while retaining its Indian flavour. He was especially very popular in the 1980's with films like Disco Dancer, Namak Halal among others.

Bappi Lahiri was born in Calcutta, West Bengal into a family with a rich tradition in classical music. His father, Aparesh Lahiri was a famous Bengali singer and his mother, Bansari Lahiri was a musician and a singer who was well-versed in classical music and Shyama Sangeet. He began to play the tabla at the tender age of three.

Bappida bagged his first opportunity in a Bengali film, Daadu (1972) at the age of 19. The same year, he came to Mumbai and bagged his first hindi film, Nanha Shikari. The turning point of his career was Shomu Mukherjee's Hindi film, Zakhmee, for which he composed music and doubled as a playback singer. He himself sung a duet with Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar called Nothing is Impossible for the same film. The songs of his next film, Chalte Chalte, became a rage. With Ravikant Nagaich's Surakshaa, his singing and music became even more popular. In 2004, he brought out his album 'Bappi Magic - The Asli Baap Mix', featuring popular numbers such as Gori Hai Kalaiyan and Jimmy Jimmy, all remixed in the trademark Bappi style. It attained great popularity. In 2005, he composed the background score for the Jahnu Barua film, Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara, thus reaffirming his identity as a very versatile composer. In 2006, he lent his voice to another composer for the first time. The song was Boombai Nagariya which he sang for Vishal-Shekhar for the movie Taxi Number 9211. The song turned out to be an instant hit due to Bappi's singing and the musical arrangement. Of late, he has once again lent his voice to the title track of the film 'Guru', in which the music has been composed by A.R.Rahman. He has also recorded songs for the movie 'Level Crossing' produced by actor Jayaprada.

Selected Films

Rocky - The Rebel(2006) Dil Diya Hai(2006) Aap Ki Khatir(2006) Ahista Ahista(2006) Anthony Kaun Hai?(2006) Chup Chup Ke(2006) Phir Hera Pheri(2006) Tom Dick And Harry(2006) 36 China Town(2006) Hum Ko Deewana Kar Gaye(2006) Banaras - A Mystic Love Story(2006) Aksar(2006)
• Aashiq Banaya Aapne(2005)

Sneak peek into the life of Himesh Reshammiya

Himesh started his career with a production house which aired quite a few TV soaps on Doordarshan Ahmedabad and Zee TV. Early in his career, he received critical acclaim for his musical scores, although the films associated with them were not popular at the box office. His first film as music director was Bandhan (1998), a collaboration with Anand Raj Anand. Although it was not the first film, he continues to credit it as the first.

His work began to get noticed with the film Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998). He became good friends with Salman Khan, and composed songs for many Salman starers. Reshammiya soon developed his own unique style of composition, based on pop music and catchy techno beats. He also places a particular emphasis on melodic hooks to his songs. His most popular albums to date are Tere Naam and Aashiq Banaya Aapne. With a series of popular film scores, he is considered one of the best upcoming music composers in Indian cinema today. His music is associated with the youthful culture that has recently been pervasive in India, but he has also shown versatility, focusing on a more classical style for films such as Banaras: A Mystic Love Story and semi-classical like Tere Naam. With almost 30-35 films in the working, Himesh has been advised to cut down on his work. In 2006, Himesh had well over 36 hit tracks in a single calendar year.

Himesh was the first Indian to perform at the Webley Arena, London. Apart from the typical Bollywood style, he has composed music in classical, semi-classical, fusion and heavy metal styles too! He only prefers Sameer as his lyricist.

Primarily a music director, Himesh later became popular for his vocals which have the distinctive high-pitched nasal twang. Reshammiya, like many of his contemporary music composers, sings several of the songs that he composes. However, he has had unprecedented success in this regard. He won a Filmfare Award in 2005 for Best Male Playback Singer (for the title song of Aashiq Banaya Aapne), becoming the first music composer to achieve this feat.

Selected Films

Oldd Iss Goldd (2007) Mehbooba (2006) Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana (2006) Kisna (2005) Baaz (2003) Desh Devi (2002) Deewangee (2002) Shakti - The Power (2002) Devdas (2002) Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa (2000)
• Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

Sneak peek into the life of Ismail Darbar

As far as Sanjay Leela Bhansali is concerned, Ismail Darbar's lilting music, is his surprise packet in 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'. The transition of Ismail Darbar from a sessions violinist to an independent music director is another addition to the annals of the film industry folklore. A homeboy from Surat, Ismail found his true calling, that is, music when he was bundled off to Mumbai at the age of 14, for being the proverbial brat at home. Violin was a true calling, and under the tutelage of Pt. Ram Prasad Sharma and Shri Ganesh, Ismail honed the art of playing the instrument as a true master. As is the case of every prominent musician, and for the 'square meal' factor, Ismail turned to playing the violin for every prominent music director of the day. The list includes great masters like R.D. Burman, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Jatin-Lalit, Anand-Milind and Viju Shah. Having observed the masters at work for close to 14 years, the ambition to turn an independent music director germinated in him. Sanjay Leela Bhansali had met him briefly during his first film, Khamoshi, when Ismail was working along with Jatin-Lalit as one of the main violinists.

Imagine Sanjay's surprise (and slight skepticism!) when a mutual friend suggested Ismail Darbar's name even before the former had decided on a music director for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Always the proverbial nice guy, Sanjay decided to present to Ismail two very difficult situations and asked him to come up with the tunes for them, thinking that Ismail may not be able to measure up. But much to his surprise, they surpassed his expectations.

Sanjay has proved to be a great mentor, as Ismail would admit repeatedly, and their collaboration as resulted has been a splendid mix of folk, classical and popular music, in form of nearly a dozen impressive compositions. It is very important, according to Ismail, to add a footnote of acknowledgement to the lyricist of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and his old friend, Mehboob.

Filmgoers were astonished by the exemplary quality, melody and originality of the musical score. In his own little humble manner, Ismail simply states that the tremendous plaudits which are bound his way are also due to his lyricist. His underplayed humble disposition and a commitment to stay away from the herd, combined with his choice to do limited assignments, Ismail Darbar is sure here to stay.

Selected Films

Tara Rum Pum (2007) Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd (2007) Golmaal (2006) Taxi No. 9211 (2006) Zinda (2006) Bluffmaster (2005) Ek Ajnabee (2005) Salaam Namaste (2005) Dus (2005) Musafir (2004) Shaadi Ka Laddoo (2004) Jhankaar Beats (2003)
• Vadh (2002)

Sneak peek into the life of Vishal-Shekhar

The duo Vishal and Shekhar rose to prominence when they composed the score for the film Kaante, which included the hit song Ishq Samander. Their efforts paid off when they won the Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent for Jhankaar Beats. The music for the film Musafir became very popular with the youth.

Vishal is also the vocalist of Mumbai-based electronic band Pentagram which he had started with his friends in Mumbai in 1993

Vishal's band was voted MTV's 'Artist Of The Month', which is quite a feat in a market dominated by Hindi and Bollywood music. They also won the Channel V Award for 'Best Live Band'. In 1999 an underground single released by the band, 'Price Of Bullets', featured the famous Javed Akhtar and Shankar Mahadevan. The song was not given airplay by music channels as its video was found to be too controversial. The song dealt with the Kargil War, which was being fought between India and Pakistan at the time