MUMBAI: The launch of the fifth season of 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs' was held at Taj Lands End in Bandra on Thursday, 17 December. This season, the contestants will be mentored by singers- Shaan and Monali Thakur as 'Captains' for the boys and girls teams, respectively. Also this season, multiple award winning singer, Alka Yagnik, will be the head judge aka 'Mahaguru' with Aditya Narayan as the series' host.

Shaan has been associated with the show for over a decade now and had even hosted the first season of Li'l Champs. "So this is like homecoming and I am glad to be a captain of the boys' team. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has given the music industry some of its finest talents and I believe there is no better platform than this for aspiring singers. Every contestant becomes an all-rounder post the kind of exposure, mentoring and grooming that they get from experts on the show," said the MTV Asia Music Award winning singer.

Speaking on Shaan and Thakur as mentors and Yagnik as the head judge, Zee TV, Programming Head, Namit Sharma said, "Not only are they extremely warm, affable and great with kids but also have the ability to step in as role models and guiding forces for their growth as singers. Alka Ji is one of the most awarded playback singers of our times and with her years of experience, will enrich the kids' journey with her invaluable feedback."

Shaan previously hosted Sa Re Ga Ma Pa from 2000 – 2006. He recently formed a fusion rock band called Superbia and launched their debut album 'Satrangi' via Saregama Records. Previous 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' winners include critically acclaimed award winning singers Shreya Ghoshal, Kunal Ganjawala, Shekhar Ravjiani, Bela Shende, Sanjivani and Kamal Khan.

'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs' starts 27 December, airing every Saturday and Sunday at 9 PM on Zee TV.