Sa re ga ma: Gujarati Sugam Sangeet gets a boost.

In the recent years, a new concept of song-based competitions has become a rage with various TV channels TVS Sa Re Ga Ma in Zee, Meri Awaaz Suno on Star Plus are just some of the few that are presently being aired. This trend has fast picked up with various channels and Ahmedabad Doordarshan has also joined the race. Sureeli Sargam was conceived in September 1998 with the concept being derived from Zee TV’s popular programme TVS Sa Re Ga Ma. The main difference lies in the language —Sureeli Sargam is in Gujarati.

Like most shows on Channel [V] or MTV, Sureeli Sargam is conducted and produced by a team of young professionals. Though its primary aim may be to popularise Gujarati sugam sangeet this coin-petition also provides a platform to aspiring and budding singers of Gujarat.

"Our state has a rich heritage of’ literature and music, and of course there is no dearth of singers in Gujarat. Then why not give them the opportunity to enter into the limelight of playback singing?" Salil Mehta, the enthusiastic producer of the show points out.

The show is already a success with entries flooding in from all parts of Gujarat.

Out of the 22 episodes of Sureeli Surgam that have been shot, ten have already been telecast. The reasons for the programme’s success maybe that sugam sangeet baithaks, which used to be a regular phenomenon, have now become a rarity in the city.

And quite interestingly, the Gujarati musicians of yesteryears have extended a helping hand in popularising sugam sangeet on television. A panel of veteran musicians of Gujarati sugam sangeet like Kshemu Divetia, Ras Bihari Desai, Bansari Yogendra and Mrudula Parikh does the selection of participants.

Artistes from Mumbai who presided as judges in the competition include Anandji of the Kalyanji-Anandji duo. Dilip Dholakia, Aashit Desai, Purshottam Upadhyay and Kaumudi Munshi. The judges from Ahmedabad include stalwarts of Gujarati music like janardan Rawal, Vibha Desai, Bansari Yogendra, Bhailal Barot, Ranjit Bhatt, Kamlesh Avasthi, Pinakin Mehta, Bhadrayu Dholakia, and Sudha-Divetia.

Some of the participants' even includes those who have already participated in TVS Sa Re Ga Ma.

For all winning participants this competition is another feather in their cap and an achievement to be proud of. Few participants are now a part of the production team. "This could be a step in the direction of reviving the popularity of Ahmedabad Doordarshan. And we are trying to rope in as many young enthusiasts as possible." says Mehta, A special episode of Sureeli Sargam was shot at the Sabarmati Ashram recently as a tribute to the father of the nation. This will be telecast on the eve of his birth anniversary on October 2. 1999. The participants sang songs that were very dear to the Mahatma.

Compiled from Local News Media