‘My Riyaz Takes An Hour Daily’: Singer Sanjeevani Bhelande On Her Musical Journey
**Playback Singer Sanjeevani Bhelande to Headline Sur-Sangam Musical Fundraiser**
Playback singer Sanjeevani Bhelande is widely known for her soulful songs from the Hindi film *Kareeb*, including hits like “Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili” and “Churalo Na Dil Mera Sanam.” Among her other popular tracks are “Nikamma Kiya” and “Yara Rab Rus Jaane De.” Sanjeevani holds the distinction of being the very first winner of the reality singing television show *Sa Re Ga Ma* in 1995 and has been a vibrant presence in the Indian music industry for nearly three decades.
Recently, she was honored with the prestigious Lata Didi Puraskar, presented by none other than Pt Hridaynath Mangeshkar himself.
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### Sur-Sangam: A Musical Concert with a Cause
Sanjeevani has conceptualized and will be the lead singer for **Sur-Sangam**, a musical fundraiser organized by the Light Of Life Trust. The concert will take place on **Friday evening, September 19, 2025, at 7:00 pm**, at the **Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai**.
The event celebrates the 100th birth anniversary of Raj Kapoor, Hindi cinema’s renowned ‘greatest showman.’ Alongside Sanjeevani, the concert will feature performances by Padmashri awardee Suresh Wadkar and Mukhtar Shah. A talented ensemble of 25 musicians will be conducted by Chirag Panchal.
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### An Exclusive Interview with Sanjeevani Bhelande
In an insightful interview with the *Free Press Journal*, Sanjeevani spoke candidly about her association with Sur-Sangam, her journey since winning *Sa Re Ga Ma*, and her cherished project on Meera’s love songs.
**Q: What does it feel like to be a part of Sur-Sangam, a music concert aimed at sending rural children back to school?**
“The Light Of Life Trust has done excellent work in bringing school dropouts back onto the educational path by providing academic and vocational training. Without education, dropout kids risk falling into child labor or going astray into criminal activities. Lack of education is darkness, and the light of education that the Trust spreads is truly exemplary,” she said.
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**Q: You were the first winner of *Sa Re Ga Ma*. How different were things back then?**
“I won the very first season of *Sa Re Ga Ma*. At that time, we dressed very simply and were recognized solely for our singing talent. The era was different — no melodrama or tearful appeals. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with music giants like Anu Malik, Himesh Reshammiya, and A R Rahman ji,” Sanjeevani shared.
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**Q: What is the most satisfying part of your work as a singer?**
“In India, there is always a strong demand for old songs, and people still cherish live concerts that feature genuine singing — not lip-syncing or AI-generated vocals. This authenticity is very satisfying to me. I have also ventured into non-film music and spiritual tracks. Just last week, Talat Aziz and I released ‘Ranjish Hi Sahi,’ which is doing really well.”
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**Q: Tell us about a creation you are particularly proud of.**
“In India, spirituality is a year-round presence. My chants, mantras, and aartis have millions of hits. But I’m especially proud of my Meera album and book. I’ve translated and recorded Meerabai’s songs into English, presenting her beyond the religious or jogan roop (ascetic form). These love songs of Meera are expressed in a contemporary idiom with a universal appeal — an American girl, for example, can profoundly connect with Meerabai’s words of love.”
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**Q: How have you been preparing for Sur-Sangam?**
“I just finished a rehearsal that started at 9 am and went on till 3:30 pm. When you perform with original instruments on stage, the effect is incredibly authentic. We strive to remain as true as possible to the original melodies without altering tunes under the guise of ‘recreating songs.’ There’s detailed preparation for my solo pieces and duets. I write my own lyrics, mostly in Devanagari script, avoiding Romanized Hindi. I maintain my own notation system and coordinate with my music arranger to decide scales, stanzas, and medleys. It’s a very engaging process.”
“Many musicians at Sur-Sangam played on the original recordings of Raj Kapoor’s songs, especially the violinists. We’re presenting truly authentic renditions on stage,” she added.
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**Q: On average, how many hours do you dedicate to riyaz daily?**
“My vocal workouts or classical riyaz take about an hour every day. It’s like doing your daily exercise — essential for maintaining vocal fitness.”
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**Q: How do you take care of your voice as a musician?**
“There are two key aspects: vocal cords and the throat. Vocal cords must not be strained or overused, so I use an in-ear monitor during performances that helps me hear my voice clearly, protecting it from strain amidst the loud sounds of many musicians on stage.”
“As for the throat, it’s prone to inflammation or congestion from colds and coughs. I avoid consuming cold things as they don’t agree with me. I also consume plenty of mirchi (chili) since it helps open up my throat,” she explained.
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**Q: How do you view the role of social media for singers today?**
“If social media helps artists reach their audience, I am all for it. It allows singers to gain popularity without being solely dependent on TV channels or films. This is very heartening for independent artists.”
“However, there is a downside: many non-singers or non-artists pose as social media figures. But people who truly appreciate good music will sift through and find the ‘real honey,’” Sanjeevani noted.
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### Advice for Aspiring Musicians
“There is no alternative to Indian classical music, whether you are an instrumentalist or a singer. You must learn and dedicate yourself to it throughout your life. That is the foundation that will keep you afloat,” she advised.
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### Event Details: Sur-Sangam
**When:** September 19, 2025, at 7:00 pm
**Where:** Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai
Join Sanjeevani Bhelande, Suresh Wadkar, Mukhtar Shah, and 25 exceptional musicians for an evening of timeless melodies celebrating Raj Kapoor’s legacy—all to support a noble cause.
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For more information, visit the Light Of Life Trust website or follow Sanjeevani Bhelande on her social media channels.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/lifestyle/playback-singer-sanjeevani-bhelande-people-still-want-to-go-to-live-concerts-to-hear-real-singing-that-is-not-lip-syncing-or-ai
