The only exclusive film Music awards to encourage South Indian artists is back for the third year 

Bengaluru – It’s that time of the year again, to celebrate excellence and to felicitate music maestros of the South Indian music industry. Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM presents the third edition of The Mirchi Music Awards – the awards that honour the outstanding achievements of the music industry through the year 2011!!! The finale of the only award of its kind, which brings together the film music fraternity from across all the four southern states – the Mirchi Music Awards, will take place in Hyderabad on Aug 4th, 2012.

 This year, the film music artists from South India get a chance to win thirteen awards across various categories in each language for the films released in the year 2011. In addition, there will be two special awards in each language – a Lifetime Achievement Award and a Jury’s Special Recognition Award for outstanding contribution to Film music. Keeping in mind the interest of radio listeners, there will also be – Radio Mirchi Listener’s Choice award given to “Best song of the year” and “Film album of the year” chosen by popular vote.

Each of the four South Indian languages will have separate Jury panels headed by a Chairman. The Chairman of the Tamil Jury is Mr. Gangai Amaran, Telugu Jury is headed by Mr. D Suresh Babu, the Kannada Jury by Mr. Hamsalekha and the Malayalam industry is chaired by Mr. Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. The entire process of screening, short-listing and selecting of winners is audited by Ernst & Young.

Mr. Prashant Panday, CEO, Radio Mirchi says, “It gives me immense pride to announce the third edition of Mirchi Music Awards South. The warm welcome and positive feedback from the film industry that we have received on Mirchi Music Awards in the last two years, has inspired us to take it to a new level this year.  This is Radio Mirchi’s way of showing its love and respect to the industry that means so much to us, not only as a company, but also as a country. From screening to selecting to the final awards, each process has been meticulously planned in a structured manner so that no deserving work goes unnoticed. I extend my best wishes to all the artists who are doing a great job in Music and our support to them will continue in the coming years.”

 Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of the Jury – Kannada, veteran lyricist and music director Hamsalekha, says “Mirchi Music Awards has filled in the gap that existed in the Indian Music Industry.  It is surprising, that in a country where music lies in each and every aspect of life and which is a very big part of our films, music was not being given due recognition. It is very heartening that Radio Mirchi has pioneered this effort for the last few years. I am happy to be associated with Mirchi Music Awards South 2011 for the third  year running and am sure that the event this year will be even bigger and better than last year.  Mirchi Music Awards bind the entire music fraternity by recognizing all those who have a passion for music, be it writing, composing or singing. I know that the music fraternity in the Kannada film industry is looking forward to this award and the recognition it brings.”

 To know more about the jury, categories and nominees for Mirchi Music Awards, keep listening to Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM or log on to www.radiomirchi.com in the coming days.

The list of categories of the awards & the Grand Jury Members for Kannada are:

 About Radio Mirchi:

Radio Mirchi has been the undisputed leader of the Indian Radio Industry since its inception 2001. It has been ranked No.1 in all IRS (Indian Readership Survey) surveys till date in terms of the national reach – the only survey which measures radio listenership across the country.

Not surprisingly, Mirchi has been felicitated with several awards: FICCI – Frames Excellence Award 2010 for the Most Successful Radio Channel of the Year - Radio Mirchi was the ONLY radio station to receive an award from FICCI, Received 12 awards at the 6th India Radio Forum (IRF). Awarded the Most Popular Radio Channel amongst Youth at the 2nd Global Youth Marketing Forum, Received the CMO Council Brand Leadership Award.