''Zee Tamil's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2009 Challenge'' was a
reality-based Indian singing competition that aired on
Tamil language TV channel
Zee Tamil. It was designed to be a talent hunt in
Tamil Nadu. The top 15 contestants would have an opportunity to perform with celebrity singers during the main stage of the competition. The show was sponsored by Clinic Plus.
Prem Menon
Prem Menon (born 28 July 1952) is a prominent media personality, businessman and philanthropist based in Chennai. Prem was the Vice President of India's first regional television channel Asianet in 1992. He also served as the Business Head of ...
, Zee Tamil TV's business head, confirmed that more than 10,000 aspirants auditioned for the competition throughout
Tamil Nadu from which 15 contestants were selected for the competition, before the competition was filtered down to 4 finalists.
Top 15 contestant performances and the finals were judged by music director
M. S. Viswanathan
Manayangath Subramanian Viswanathan (24 June 1928 – 14 July 2015), also known as M.S.V., was an Indian music director, singer and actor who predominantly worked in Tamil film industry. He was popularly known as ''Mellisai Mannar''. He compose ...
, veteran playback singers
Vani Jairam and
Nithyasree Mahadevan, and composer
Sharreth. The four finalists of the competition were Anand, Bhargavi, Deepak, and Gopalakrishnan. Contestant Anand was crowned the winner of the competition, with contestant Gopalakrishnan being crowned runner-up and contestant Bhargavi being third-placed in the competition.
The show premiered on 22 June 2009, and episodes were telecast between Mondays and Tuesdays each week at 9:00pm.
Encore telecasts were aired on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 5:00pm, as well as Saturdays and Sundays each week at 8:00pm..
Debut episodes
Auditions
Open auditions were held across
Tamil Nadu. Prem Menon, Zee Tamil TV's business head, confirmed that more than 10,000 aspirants auditioned for the competition throughout
Tamil Nadu from which 15 contestants were selected for the competition.
Competition Rounds
Top 15 contestants and celebrity singers
The top 15 contestants selected through the main audition rounds and their pairings with the celebrity singers are as follows:
Performances
Introduction Round (27 July 2009 – 28 July 2009)
* Permanent Compere: Bhavna Balakrishnan
* Judges:
M. S. Viswanathan
Manayangath Subramanian Viswanathan (24 June 1928 – 14 July 2015), also known as M.S.V., was an Indian music director, singer and actor who predominantly worked in Tamil film industry. He was popularly known as ''Mellisai Mannar''. He compose ...
(music director) & Noyal James (music coordinator of music director
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman (; born A. S. Dileep Kumar; 6 January 1967) is an Indian music composer, record producer, singer and songwriter, popular for his works in Indian cinema; predominantly in Tamil and Hindi films, with occasional forays in int ...
)
* Performances:
Round of 15 (4 August 2009 – 5 August 2009)
* Permanent Compere: Bhavna Balakrishnan
* Judges:
M. S. Viswanathan
Manayangath Subramanian Viswanathan (24 June 1928 – 14 July 2015), also known as M.S.V., was an Indian music director, singer and actor who predominantly worked in Tamil film industry. He was popularly known as ''Mellisai Mannar''. He compose ...
(music director) &
Nithyasree Mahadevan (Carnatic music exponent and veteran playback singer)
* Performances:
This week, 15 contestant-singer duos would each present a duet song in front of judges M.S. Viswanathan and Nityashree Mahadevan.
Following the 15 performances which were described as "scintillating" by ''
The Hindu
''The Hindu'' is an Indian English-language daily newspaper owned by The Hindu Group, headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It began as a weekly in 1878 and became a daily in 1889. It is one of the Indian newspapers of record and the secon ...
'',
a contestant-singer duo was eliminated from the competition, leaving 14 playback singers and 14 contestants remaining in the competition.
Round of 14 (10 August 2009 – 11 August 2009)
* Permanent Compere: Bhavna Balakrishnan
* Judges:
M. S. Viswanathan
Manayangath Subramanian Viswanathan (24 June 1928 – 14 July 2015), also known as M.S.V., was an Indian music director, singer and actor who predominantly worked in Tamil film industry. He was popularly known as ''Mellisai Mannar''. He compose ...
(music director) &
Nithyasree Mahadevan (Carnatic music exponent and veteran playback singer)
* Performances:
: – Contestant is eliminated
Round of 13 (17 August 2009 – 18 August 2009)
* Permanent Compere: Bhavna Balakrishnan
* Judges:
M. S. Viswanathan
Manayangath Subramanian Viswanathan (24 June 1928 – 14 July 2015), also known as M.S.V., was an Indian music director, singer and actor who predominantly worked in Tamil film industry. He was popularly known as ''Mellisai Mannar''. He compose ...
(music director)
* Performances:
: – Contestant is eliminated
Round of 12 (24 August 2009 – 25 August 2009)
* Permanent Compere: Bhavna Balakrishnan
* Judges:
Nithyasree Mahadevan (Carnatic music exponent & veteran playback singer) &
Sharreth (composer)
Round of 11 (31 August 2009 – 1 September 2009)
* Permanent Compere: Bhavna Balakrishnan
* Judges:
Nithyasree Mahadevan (Carnatic music exponent & veteran playback singer) &
Sharreth (composer)
Round of 10 (7 September 2009 – 8 September 2009)
* Permanent Compere: Bhavna Balakrishnan
* Judges:
Nithyasree Mahadevan (Carnatic music exponent & veteran playback singer) &
Sharreth (composer)
Round of 9 (14 September 2009 – 15 September 2009)
* Permanent Compere: Bhavna Balakrishnan
* Judges:
Vani Jairam (veteran playback singer)
Round of 8: Jai Ho (21 September 2009 – 22 September 2009)
* Permanent Compere: Bhavna Balakrishnan
* Judges:
Vani Jairam (veteran playback singer)
This round required the top 8 to perform songs of an Indian patriotic theme.
Round of 7: Freestyle Round (28 September 2009 – 29 September 2009)
* Permanent Compere: Bhavna Balakrishnan
* Judges:
Vani Jairam (veteran playback singer)
This round was a freestyle contestant which permitted the contestants to perform any song they wish. Contestant Deepak and celebrity Vinaya were selected last, and sang the song "Chippi Irukkuthu"
originally sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki
Sistla Janaki (born 23 April 1938) is an Indian playback singer and occasional music composer from Andhra Pradesh. She is referred to respectfully as "Janaki Amma" and Nightingale of South India. She is one of the best-known playback singers in ...
, with lyrics penned by Kannadasan and music composed by M. S. Viswanathan
Manayangath Subramanian Viswanathan (24 June 1928 – 14 July 2015), also known as M.S.V., was an Indian music director, singer and actor who predominantly worked in Tamil film industry. He was popularly known as ''Mellisai Mannar''. He compose ...
from the 1980 film
Varumayin Niram Sivappu
''Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu'' () is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language satirical drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Kamal Haasan and Sridevi, with Pratap Pothen, R. Dilip and S. Ve. Shekher in supporting roles. It revo ...
. Anshu and Mansi remained in the elimination circle to face elimination.
Finals
The finals were held at Kamarajar Arangam.
The competition was judged by renowned music personalities, including music director
M. S. Viswanathan
Manayangath Subramanian Viswanathan (24 June 1928 – 14 July 2015), also known as M.S.V., was an Indian music director, singer and actor who predominantly worked in Tamil film industry. He was popularly known as ''Mellisai Mannar''. He compose ...
, as well as veteran playback singers
Vani Jairam and
Nithyasree Mahadevan,
and composer
Sharreth. Celebrity playback singers and eliminated contestants also attended the event to support the finalists. Other celebrity personalities were also in attendance at the event and spotted in the audience, including in particular actor-director
Cheran, music composer
Ramesh Vinayakam
Ramesh Vinayakam (born 7 July 1963) is an Indian composer, arranger, singer, songwriter, music producer.
Early life
Ramesh Vinayakam was born Ramasubramaniam (AKA Ramsubbu) to Tamil parents Vinayakam and Valli. He went to A. M. Jain College an ...
, playback singer
Chinmayi
Chinmayi Sripaada is an Indian playback singer, working mainly for the South Indian film industry. She is also a voice actor, television presenter, radio jockey, and an entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of a translation services company ...
, and others.
Performances by the finalists of the competition included the following:
At the conclusion of the performances, the judges selected the winner of the competition.
Contestant Anand was crowned the winner of the competition, with contestant Gopalakrishnan being crowned runner-up and contestant Bhargavi being third-placed in the competition.
References
External links
Zee Tamizh Official websiteZee Tamizh on YouTubeZee Entertainment Enterprises LimitedEssel Group
{{Zee Tamil shows
Zee Tamil original programming
Tamil-language singing talent shows
Tamil-language reality television series
2009 Tamil-language television series debuts
Tamil-language game shows
Tamil-language television shows
2009 Tamil-language television series endings
Television shows set in Tamil Nadu