It was a special episode and "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005" couldn't have chosen a better star-judge - Priyanka Chopra.

"It was exhausting," conceded the stunning Priyanka, a singer in her own right, after joining the "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" team to record their Republic Day special.

"But it was worth my effort. I've been a 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' fan ever since I can remember. In fact my dad (who likes to sing) and I were on the Baap-Beti special of 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa'. So when I was invited to be on the show, I couldn't say no. I rushed from Delhi and went straight from the airport to the recording."

Priyanka had as much fun listening to the contestants as they had having her around.

While Hemachandra will be seen singing "Ae watan tere liye" from "Karma" and A.R. Rahman's "Vande mataram", Debojit will croon "Ae mere pyare watan" from "Upkar" and Shankar Mahadevan's "Suno gaur se duniya walo".

Vinit stunned Priyanka with his rendering of "Zindagi maut na ban jaye" from the film "Sarfarosh" and "Kar chalen hum phida" from "Haqeeqat".

Himani and Nihira, who were part of the special episode, sang "Ae mere watan ke logon".

Said Priyanka: "They were all s-o-o g-o-o-d! I was supposed to select my favorite from the contestants. But I just couldn't bring myself to do so. I quietly wrote down one name and gave it to Gajendra Singh for future reference.

"I am surprised at the amount of singing talent in this country. Since I am fond of singing myself, I felt so happy being with these truly gifted boys and girls."

Incidentally, Priyanka has taken singing lessons.

"In fact," she confessed with a laugh. "I sang for 'Bluffmaster'. But I didn't like what I heard. So we finally dropped it. Maybe some day again."

As far as the boys and girls on "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" are concerned, they're willing to sing to Priyanka's tune any time.

The Republic Day special of "Sa Re Ga Ma" Thursday with Priyanka will be interspersed with footage of the contestants at the Republic Day parade.