Udupi lad Gagan Gaonkar wins ’Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs 5’

 

Udupi, 22 Mar 2015: Udupi-born Gagan Gaonkar saw-off "tough" competition from Keshav Tyohar and Aishwarya Saha to be crowned as the winner of "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs" during the grand finale of its fifth season.

 

The singing talent hunt, which had a grand finale on Saturday, March 21, night with performances by top five finalists alongside Sonu Nigam, was judged by Shaan, Monali Thakur and Alka Yagnik.

 

 

Gagan, 13, who was fondly called as 3G on the Zee TV show, was elated when he was handed the coveted trophy and the key of his new car as prize.

 

"I still can’t believe that I am holding this coveted trophy in my hand and this truly is the best moment of my life. Singing is my passion and winning Li’l Champs is a dream come true.

 

"I am grateful to the audiences for voting for me and showering me with so much love. Other Li’l Champs on the show were also very good and it was a tough competition but it wouldn’t have been possible without the support and guidance of our mentors and mahaguru," Gagan said after winning the show.

 

Gagan constantly won accolades for his stellar performances not only from judges but also from the audience, who voted in large numbers for him.

 

The reality show began 13 weeks ago with 12 children across India. The other two finalists, who got evicted in the beginning, were Ridham Kalyan from Punjab and Kolkata-born Arunita Kanjilal.

 

Gagan’s father is a professor in economics and his mother is a lecturer. He sings ghazal, Sufi and Hindustani classical songs, and has even acted in the Kannada movie ’Noorondu Bagilu’. Gagan is a student of Little Rock Indian School, Brahmavar.