On Sunday, September 27, Seniors Today hosted Group A of the first round of Seniors Have Talent, where seniors from across the country showcased their singing talent live
Seniors Have Talent is a platform created by Seniors Today to showcase the talent of senior citizens who are passionate about music and singing.
On Sunday, September 27, 10 seniors participated in the first of the five rounds of the weekly singing contest. Each week two contestants with the highest votes will proceed to the Semi-Final. There will also be an Editor’s Choice round as part of Round 1, and two winners from there will make it to the Semi-finals. And then there will be the Grand Finale.
Said Jeeya Sethi, the host of the show: “It was a lot of fun! Everyone did so well. Can’t wait to see who gets into the semi-finals”.
Voting closes on Saturday, October 3 at seniorstoday.in/vote ,and the results for the first round will be announced on Sunday, October 4 at the show (Group B of Round 1).
Here were the 10 participants in Group A.
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Contestant #1
Ragini Iyer
From Mumbai
A big fan of the late S P Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra, Janeki, Sadhana Sargam and Anuradha Paudwal. Ragini Iyer has been singing since she was nine. She sang her way through school and college, and as life got busy her singing took a backseat. She has been into investment banking for 35 years but after the pandemic struck, singing made a way back into her life. She likes to sing bhajans at satsangs, loves cooking and enjoys looking after her loved ones.
Song – Ye Dil Mujhe Batade
Sung by – Geeta Dutt
From the film – Bhai Bhai
Starring – Ashok Kumar and Nimmi
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Contestant #2
Dr Rajendra Kale
From Mumbai
A doctor by profession and a musician at heart. Dr Rajendra Kale became fond of music and singing when he was in school. He likes listening to songs by Mukesh and has a soft spot for sentimental emotional songs. He is a collector of vinyl records, enjoys playing flute, harmonica and synthesiser.
Song – Jo Tumko Pasand Ho Wahi Baat Karenge
Sung by – Mukesh
From the film – Safar
Starring – Feroz Khan and Sharmila Tagore
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Contestant #3
Gurinder Mohan Singh
From Mumbai
A passionate businessman by profession, Gurinder Singh has been singing since he was young. He enjoys listening to evergreen Hindi songs and finds joy in performing when he is with his close friends and family.
Song – Yaad Kiya Dilne Kaha Ho Tum
Sung by – Hemant kumar & Lata Mangeshkar
From the film – Patita
Starring – Dev Anand and Usha Kiran
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Contestant #4
Nandini Jambhekar
From Mumbai
A big fan of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Lata Mangeshkar, Nandini Jambhekar discovered the joy of singing when she was a young girl but she had to pause her love for singing as nobody supported her talent and life got busy. At the age of 70, she rediscovered singing and ever since then she has been singing every day. In her spare time, she likes to write, make DIY skincare products, and enjoys giving haircuts to people around her.
Song – Dil Hoom Hoom kare
Sung by – Lata Mangeshkar
Directed by – Bhupen Hazarika
From the film – Rudaali
Starring – Dimple Kapadia
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Contestant #5
Uday Suryavanshi
From Kolhapur
Music has been his passion since he was 10 years’ old. Uday Suryavanshi believes that music is the way to life and he wishes to sing till his last breath. Kishore Kumar is his all-time favourite singer and he enjoys retro music. A big cricket fan, finds joy in TV debates and loves watching shows like Indian Idol and the Kapil Sharma Show.
Song – Koi Humdum Na Raha, Koi Sahara Na Raha
Sung by – Kishore Kumar
From the film – Dilli Ka thug
Starring – Kishore Kumar and Madhubala
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Contestant #6
Radhika Pankaj Hathi
From Mumbai
Coming from a family of singers Radhika has sung all her life. She worships Lataji and enjoys listening to old Hindi songs. Her favourite music composers are Shankar Jai Kishan and SD Burman. She is a carrom player, finds joy in family get-together and her kitty parties. She is grateful that her husband has always supported her singing.
Song – Ja Re Badara Bairi Ja Re Ja Re
Sung by Lata Mangeshkar
From the film – Bahaana
Starring – Meena Kumari
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Contestant #7
Dr Murlidharan Rao
From Hubli / Karnataka
A pathologist by profession and trustee to several organisations, Dr Murlidhar Rao
is a trained sitar artist of Kirana gharana, disciple of late Dr Bindu Madhav Pathak. He began singing three years ago and is a fanboy of star maker – the singing app. He has sung all the songs of Mukesh, enjoys music by Mohammed Rafi and often tunes to classical music. He loves to play cricket and has never skipped a day for 35 years, he even has his own cricket team.
Song – Jab Deep Jale Aana
Sung by – Yesudasji
From the film – Chitchor
Starring – Amol Palekar and Zarina Wahab
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Contestant #8
Bhupendra Kumar Mittal
From Bhiwadi / Rajasthan
A retired senior officer from State Bank who loves to sing. Bhupendra Kumar Mittal grew up grooving to his parents sing together during family get-togethers. He is a big fan of Ghazals sung by Jagjit Singh and Ghulam Ali, also enjoys Kishore Kumar’s romantic and peppy numbers. He finds joy in family get-togethers and social gathering.
Song – Kiska Rasta Dekhe Yeh Dil Yeh Saudai
Sung by – Kishore Kumar
From the film – Joshila
Starring – Dev Anand
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Contestant #9
Meena Maharshi
From Aurangabad
An ex-banker and a big fan of Dev Anand, Meena Maharshi always wanted to sing while growing up but she was not allowed to pursue her interest back then. However, after her retirement she discovered Aurangabad Karaoke Club and ever since then she has been singing. She practises Mahbubani painting, enjoys reading and loves to tune into music composed by SD Burman.
Song – Oo Ghata Sawanri
Sung by – Lata Mangeshkar
From the film – Abhinetri
Starring – Hema Malini
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Contestant #10
Lt Col Ramesh Ramiah (retd)
From Bangalore
Lt Col Ramesh Ramiah has served the Indian army for 25 years. He grew up in a house full of musicians. His elder sister is a trained Hindustani singer and he is a self-taught singer. His all-time favourites are Rafi sa’ab, Kishore da, Manna Dey, Mukesh Kumar and Bhupen Hazarika. He is a self-taught oil painter and spends a lot of his time in his art studio. He also writes poetry in Hindi and is part of several poetry and karaoke clubs in Benglauru.
Song – Rang Aur Noor Ki Barat
Sung by – Mohammed Rafi
Music by – Madanmohan
From the film – Ghazal
Starring – Sunil Dutt and Meena Kumari
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Cast your vote for the singer who they think is the best – seniorstoday.in/vote
Do join in this coming Sunday, October 4, for the results and the next round of Seniors Have Talent.If you want to participate in Seniors Have Talent, please visit https://seniorstoday.in/seniors-have-talent For more details you can call – 8928149469 or Email at : events@seniorstoday.in
