Sanjeevani Bhelande

Sanjeevani Bhelande is a versatile Hindustani classical vocalist and Bollywood playback singer from Kolhapur, Maharashtra. She made history as the first winner of Zee TV's inaugural Sa Re Ga Ma competition in 1995 and was the first contestant from a music reality show to be selected for Bollywood playback. Trained in classical music by Pandit Dinkar Kaikin and Rajashree Pathaki, she holds a Sangeet Visharad in Hindustani classical music and is also trained in Odissi and Kathak dance forms. She won the Best Playback Singer Ashirwad Award in 1999 for "Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili" and was a Filmfare and Screen nominee for "Churalo Na Dil Mera Sanam." Her unique album "Raag in a Song" features classical bandishes recorded in song format, and her album and book "Meera and Me" presents Mirabai's songs translated and composed in English. She has performed over 2,000 live concerts worldwide.