Sanjeevani Profile

The Master Performer

Honey-soaked vocals" "Bubbly and full of life", "Versatile" - praise for the talented Sanjeevani has been as plentiful, as it has been well deserved. “When Sanjeevani sings, the world stops to listen,said the Free Press Journal in 1995.

For Sanjeevani, the singing sensation of hit songs such as Chori Chori Jab Nazren Mili, Chura Lo Na Dil Mera Sanam(Kareeb) and Nikamma Kiya Is Dil Ne (Kya Dil Ne Kaha), singing has been as much a matter of passion as it has been of sheer devotion. Having studied music from the tender age of 10 under various renowned gurus of classical music such as Pundit Dinkar Kaikini, she completed her Sangeet Visharad (graduation in Hindustani Classical Music) all the while studying for her Masters in Commerce (MCom), a Diploma in Mass Communication, and one in Film Production.

And just how did she manage to cope with the pressure of doing all of this at once? She says rather self-effacingly, "I had to manage, coming as I do from a family of academicians!" A look at her credentials bears her out. Her late father was the Director of Education, Maharashtra and professor of Sanskrit, her mother retired as professor of English and her sister holds a doctorate in English Literature and currently is Reader in English at a city college..

For all this, the most endearing quality about Sanjeevani is her humility and her unpretentiousness. "Sangeet saadhana is a life-long process, a constant struggle to inch closer to perfection.

But it is a beautiful journey, strewn at times with tough lessons and other times with rewarding milestones..." she states. This is one artiste who seems to mean what she says - she continues to fine-tune her art under the tutelage of Ms. Sandhya Kathavate.

Not surprisingly, appreciation and acclaim has constantly been showered on her since the time of her first claim to fame - Zee TV's extremely popular show Sa Re Ga Ma, which she won and was spotted by filmmaker VidhuVinodChopra as the voice of his film Kareeb.

Being the multi-faceted personality that she is, Sanjeevani still finds time to address some social issues that are very close to her heart, working with citizens' associations, initiating tree plantation drives, and partaking in activities aimed at keeping the environment safe and healthy.

And now, here's a little-known fact - Sanjeevani is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer! She has a keen interest in all forms of dance, Indian and Western, traditional and modern, and loves to attend dance recitals as often as her busy schedule allows her.

Sanjeevani has performed across India and the world, be it at the Karwar Festival and the Malabar Mahotsav in India, or various events in the United States, Canada, Belgium, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Muscat and Kuwait. Indeed, one of her most memorable performances was for ten thousand strong crowd in, hold your breath... Bhutan! And when the Indian Embassy in Nepal invited her to perform, she held the four-odd thousand crowd in thrall for over 3 hours!

She has to her credit over 700 shows of her live band "Saanjh Sanjeevani". The show, which is compered, scripted and performed by Sanjeevani showcases Hindi film music from 1946 to the latest hits. A three-hour treat for the ears, the highlight of the programme is the scintillating songs that are based on Hindustani classical music, which Sanjeevani sings so effortlessly.

Songs of all time great singers like Geeta Dutt, Noorjehan, Shamshaad Begum, Lataji, Asha Bhosle and of course Sanjeevani's own hits feature in this gala show. Evergreen numbers like Barsaatmein, Ayega anewala, Jawan hain Mohobbat, Mohe Panghat pe, ChinChin Choo, Piya tose naina lage, Vande Mataram and several others take listeners on a nostalgia trip.Listeners love her sweet,innocent voice instantaneously.

What is amazing is the age group of her fans. From 2 years to 80, mesmerised listeners go home with their hearts full to the brim and a song on their lips. With over 500 songs committed to memory,this versatile artiste can satisfy practically any farmaish.

Sanjeevani wins accolades for her spontaneous and unique style of compering too. She has accurate factual information on all the songs and makes intelligent references to several current issues.The bhaav in each song is also beautifully enlivened thanks to her sensitive interpretation. Somewhere during the performance the singer becomes the song. And all this with a dignity and charm that is the privilege of only the very special.

HERE COMES A MASTER PERFORMER!


Awards

 

  • Best Playback Singer - Aashirwad Award for

"Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili" - 1998

  • Best Playback Singer - "Man Moti Ne Kaanch"
    Soi Entertainment - 1999 (Gujarati)
  • Best Singer - Zee TV's popular show "Sa Re Ga Ma"
  • Nominated for Filmfare & Screen Awards - 1998