Entertainment, March 19: Nearly three decades after her appearance on the iconic music reality show Sa Re Ga Ma, Manipuri singer Pushparani Huidrom has returned to public attention following a nostalgic social media post by Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam.
Nigam recently shared an old photograph on Facebook, recalling Pushparani’s participation in the show in 1997 as a child contestant. Describing her as a “fabulous singer from Manipur,” he noted that her performance had impressed not only him but also Lata Mangeshkar and her family at the time.
Reflecting on the era, Nigam mentioned that he had witnessed the early talent of singers like Shreya Ghoshal and Sunidhi Chauhan, both of whom later rose to prominence in Bollywood. He added that he distinctly remembered Pushparani’s “magic” and expressed hope that she continues to make Manipur proud.
Responding to the tribute, Pushparani expressed gratitude, describing her time on the show as one of the most cherished phases of her life. She said being remembered by an artist like Nigam held deep significance for her, especially as someone who came from Manipur at a young age to perform on a national platform.
She also noted that the photograph shared by Nigam had originally been captured by filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi, director of the Manipuri film Boong.
The exchange has since gained traction on social media, with many users, particularly from Manipur, expressing pride over the recognition. The moment has also rekindled memories of the early years of Sa Re Ga Ma, which introduced several young talents to national audiences, some of whom, like Pushparani, continued their musical journeys away from the mainstream spotlight.
