Udupi: Gangan Gaonkar of Udupi has been crowned the winner of “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs” season 5. Gagans family originally from Sirsi, Yallapur settled in Udupi 20 years ago. His mother Girija Gaonkar is a lecturer for Economics in Hebri Government College and his father Dr Gopalkrishna Gaonkar is also a Professor in Economics at the Government first grad College, Tenkanidiyoor.
Gagan after entering the Season-5 of “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs” started gaining fame, he built a huge fan following with his magical voice. His voice and his performance were appreciated by all renowned music composers and singers. His magical voice with his effortless performance made him the winner of “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs” season- 5 a singing reality show organised by Zee TV.
Sharing his journey towards victory Gagan Gaonkar speaking to mangalorean.com said that the blessings and support of the people of Karnataka helped him to win the lil Champs Season -5. Sonu Nigam handing over the trophy is a great honour, he added.
“I was chosen in Bangalore auditions and then was sent to Mumbai. In the 30th round, 12 contestants were selected and I was one among them, it was the most honoured moment of my life”. “I met Asha Bosle and other music composers, actors during the reality show”.
“I will not contest in reality show for the next 5 years as i will focus on studies”. I will take a break from music now for five years to concentrate in my studies. I want to pursue audio engineering and become a music composer. If I get a chance to do playback singing for Shah Rukh Khan I will jump on it. He is my favourite actor and it’s my dream to sing for him.”
Gagan further said that, he started studying music from L.K.G. His teacher is Vidwan Mahabaleshwar Guruji of Mukunda Kripa Music School. He has passed Hindustani Classic Music with distinction.
He is studying in Little Rock Indian School in 7th Standard. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is his favourite. Judges Shan, Monali Thakur and Alka Yagnik were supporting me a lot, they had said that I would be winning the trophy. The two hours of continues practice helped me to win the season-5.
Gagan, who was consistent on the Zee TV show, credited his win to his parents and the love from the audience. ”My parents are very supportive and encouraging. They helped me to fulfil my dream of winning the show. The audience also helped me to become the winner by voting for me in large numbers. I have been learning Hindustani Classical Music since my childhood,” said Gagan, who had earlier participated in the Kannada version of the same reality show.
Asked how he managed his studies during his stint on the show for 13 weeks, he said, “Zee TV used to give me two hours time daily from my shoot to study. After my shoot, I used to devote my time for my studies only. My school helps me a lot. They encourage extra-curricular activities and that helped me to chase my dream.” Often termed as 3G on the show, Gagan said it was not a cakewalk for him to win the show as his co-contestants were super talented. But the young singer said he never took the show as a competition.
“When I entered the show, I just had one thing in my mind and that was, I am here to learn. I have never imagined that I could win the show because my co-contestants were super talented,” he said. The reality show began 13 weeks ago with 12 children across India. They were judged by Shaan, Monali Thakur and Alka Yagnik. I have interest in acting. I have acted in films and serials and also have sung the Paper Paper song in the film “Ulidavaru Kandante”.
Girija Gaonkar said that she is very happy for her son for winning the “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs”, she is especially happy because it is very rare for someone from the south winning “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs”, she added.
Gangan Gaonkar has achieved a lot at a young age. Mangalorean.com wishes him all the success in all his future endeavours.
