New music awards for Indian music fraternity

Star Global Indian Music Awards (GIMA), a joint initiative of Wizcraft International Entertainment and Star Television Network, aims at honouring talent across film and non-film music and its varied genres on a global platform. The inaugural edition of the Star GIMA will be presented at an exclusive ceremony in October 2010, said a press statement.
"We are happy to announce a new milestone in the Indian music history by introducing the Star Global Indian Music Awards. It is our belief that the music industry's dedicated audiences has waited a long time to see their musical icons getting applauded," said Sabbas Joseph, director, Wizcraft International. Music labels and music and film producer have been invited to send in their entries. Songs released between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010 will be considered for the awards.

The nominees in the various categories will be determined by a panel from the music industry. The jury will include Universal Music India president Vijay Lazarus, Bhushan Kumar of T-Series and musicians L. Subramaniam, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Shankar Mahadevan, Hariharan, Prasoon Joshi and Pritam. Filmmakers Karan Johar, Mukesh Bhatt, Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra, along with musicians Shekhar Ravjiani, Leslie Lewis, Talat Aziz, Usha Uthup, Resul Pookutty, Sulaiman Merchant and others will comprise the jury. The jury is sub-divided into film, technical and non-film categories.

The winners will then be chosen by a specially created music academy and online voting. Ernst and Young, the audit firm will tabulate all academy votes and the winners will be declared at the awards ceremony, to be telecast on Star TV. "We at Star Television are excited about the Global Indian Music Awards (GIMA), considering our longstanding partnership with Wizcraft International Entertainment. Music is an essential aspect of entertainment and has a deep connect with Indian audiences. At Star, we are constantly innovating and reinventing ourselves to fulfill the entertainment needs of the family and creating a platform for recognizing talent in music is yet another step in that direction," said Sanjay Gupta, chief operating Officer, Star India.

Supporting the Star GIMA are industry music partners Indian Music Industry (IMI), T-Series, Yash Raj Films Music, SaReGaMa, South India Music Companies Association (SIMCA), Eros International, Tips, EMI, Sony Music, Venus, Universal Music Group, and Aditya Music, among others.

-Sify

Will I be the next Super singer ?

The queue was long and everyone seemed to be in a world of their own. A lad wearing headphones was humming a tune from the eighties, a middle-aged woman was singing ‘Jai Ho' at the top of her voice and, a man was singing an old Tamil classic into his mobile phone. You could almost hear their thoughts aloud – “Will I make it? Will I be the next Super singer?”

Airtel Super Singer, Star Vijay's hunt for the best singing talent, promises the winner a chance to sing for a Tamil film. Into its third season now, the Super Singer team was here on July 18 for its first round of auditions in the city. Scores of SPB and Chithra wannabes lined up in front of Hindustan College of Arts and Science hours before the auditions began. A music fanatic had even camped before the gates from two in the morning!

“We've been waiting here since 5.30 am,” said Bala Murugan, who perfectly rendered an Ilaiyaraaja number in his dulcet voice. Subbulakshmi's voice , though old with age, was as soothing as a hug. Her humming of an evergreen Jikki number moved me to tears. All of 61, she was accompanied by her 19-year-old granddaughter. 64 year old T.A.Vasudhevan, who had come all the way from Chennai, said nonchalantly: “I've been standing in line since 5 a.m. There's no age for music. I've been blessed with a good voice and I intend to make something of it; it's never too late.” He sung a few lines from his handbook TMS Padalgal.

Star Vijay's Head of Programming, Pradeep Milroy Peter said that over a 1000 had auditioned on Sunday. “Today contestants will be evaluated by preliminary judges Ajeesh, Nikhil Mathew, J.K.V.Roshni, Krishna Iyer and Ragini. Those shortlisted will be auditioned by the main judges tomorrow,” he explained. Usually about thirty people are selected from the Coimbatore zone, but this time they might increase the number to fifty, due to the large turnout, he added. The team also has plans of conducting auditions in Canada, a first time for the show.

‘Lotus' Logan and his wife Vijayakumari, both visually-impaired music teachers, were jubilant after they cleared the first round. “We're very happy,” they said. Ajeesh, title winner of Airtel Super Singer 2008, adviced aspiring singers. “Coimbatore has a lot of good singers” – This is the collective opinion of all the five preliminary judges. Sing tension free, sing like it's the only thing you live for.”

Clouds took over the sky by noon and the place found new energy. Waiting rooms echoed with Tamil songs old and new. A group of young men, all strangers minutes back, were immersed in chorus - Aval appadi ondrum azhagillai. Truly, music is a life giver.

Content - The Hindu

Mahaan

It is believed that every birth has a purpose and only a few realise it, and become God's Messengers. That's the premise on which Vijay TV's latest series ‘Mahaan', is based. To be launched on August 2, the series will cover the lives of saints such as Sri Raghavendra Swami, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Kanchi Paramacharya, Sri Ramana Maharishi, Adi Sankara, Mother Vellankani and Nagoor Baba. The first feature is on Sri Raghavendra Swami.

Known for its creative offerings, Vijay TV is launching a unique new mythological serial titled Mahaan. Mahaan is a series that brings to us the stories of saints who gave up their earthly ways to spread the message and love of God. It will also talk about the birth, the calling, the sacrifices, the miracles, and the sainthood life undergone by the saint.

Starting from August 02, 2010, Mahaan would briefly cover the lives of Sri Ragavendrar, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsar, Kanchi Paramachariyaar, Sri Ramana Maharishi, Aadi Sankarar, Vallalar, Mother Vellangani, Nagur Baba and many others. First to feature in the serial will be life of Sri Ragavendrar. The series would cover his early life, marriage, realization of his calling, his transformation to Sri Ragavendra, the beginning of the Sainthood; his missions and is teachings until his Jeeva Samathi.

Beginning from August 02, 2010, tune into Mahaan every Monday – Friday at 6:30pm on Vijay TV.

Realty Shows to Stardom: Sivakarthikeyan

Sivakarthikeyan

He charmed the TV audiences with his brand of comedy on Kalakapovathu Yaru on Vijay TV.  Sivakarthikeyan today is taking a big leap by being cast in a reputed directors movie as a lead. “The movie is director Lakshmi Ramakrishnan’s first venture and it will go on floors in September. After the

show he became an overnight success and received close to twenty offers. After Kalakapovathu Yaru, Siva did Jodi No 1, Boys Vs Girls and is now hosting Adhu Idhu Ethu and Jodi No 1 Junior. Speaking of his overnight success, he says he owes it to the reach of television and shares, “Even in Japan I am a recognisable star today and this is only because of the love of the Tamil people.”

Courtesy - Indian Express

Realty Shows to Stardom: Ajesh

Ajesh Ashok

It was through Super Singer on Vijay TV that Ajesh Ashok got an opportunity to sing in the film Goa. “I won the title of Super Singer 2008. According to the show, the winner of the title would get an offer to sing for music director Yuvan Shankar Raja and that’s how I ended up singing Ithuvarai Illatha from Goa. After Goa, I’ve sung five songs for new music directors as well as for Vijay Antony. The films are yet to release,” informs Ajesh. “My friends and I just tried our luck for Super Singer and recorded our voices. Till the end, I never knew I would get selected. It was 10 pm and I got a message saying that I was selected for the auditions the next day,” says the visual communication graduate. After Goa, the singer has become quite popular among the youth. “I want to also work under a  photographer as it is my passion,” he smiles.


Courtesy - Indian Express

Auditions completed in Trichy..

"Music is in my blood," smiled 17-year old Sherley Joy Cynthia brimming with enthusiasm. Her note was echoed by many in the hall at SRM Hotel where the curtains came down on the three-day auditions for the famed Airtel Super Singer 3 on Monday. The grand finale of the auditions had contestants clutching their cards with apparent tension.

Singing was Shirley's joy and passion. Having crossed several personal obstacles, being waitlisted in the preliminary auditions was a good enough reason to be happy. She believes Super Singer is a great platform for budding singers to culture and nurture their voices.

"I am not here for the money but rather for the satisfaction of becoming a good singer," said Sai Charan, the 17-year old who was a finalist in the previous season of Airtel Super Singer Junior.

"The auditions for the show which have been happening in three different zones in Tamil Nadu had a turnout of about 1,200 in Tiruchi alone. About 40 participants are expected to be chosen from Tiruchi while 78 have been selected from Chennai and 58 from Coimbatore," said Pradeep Milroy Peter, head of programming, Vijay TV. The turnout for the auditions was much better this season, he said.

The preliminary round judges, S. P. Shylaja, Mahathi and carnatic vocalist Sowmya agree that the participants are increasing in number. Mr. Pradeep attributed the huge response to the cooperation from the music fraternity and the success of Airtel Super Singer Junior.

"They all have a passion for music. They are sportive and courageous," said Ms. Shylaja, a famed playback Singer. While Mahathi looks for attitude and style, Sowmya has an eye for detail. All the three judges give priority to contestants with a background of carnatic music as they believe that it helps the singer groom himself. "People of different age groups participate. But what we are looking for is that musical spark," says Sowmya.

The finals of the preliminaries happened after much screening wherein contestants sent their recordings to Vijay TV or recorded their voices in video booths that were placed at prominent points in the city. Forty one candidates were selected from Tiruchi zone to compete in subsequent rounds to be held in Chennai. The musical extravaganza that kept viewers glued is set for another journey.

-The Hindu

Court Directs Police To Inspect Four TV Channel Offices

The Madras High Court has ordered the Director-General of Police to appoint a police officer to verify the license of doctors appearing on four television channels, Vijay Television, Raj Digital Plus, Raj Television, and Jaya TV. The court has also directed that the police officer should not be below the rank of a Deputy Commissioner (DC).

These doctors appeared on the channels and claimed that they can cure dreaded diseases like AIDS, kidney disorders etc. The Indian Medical Association, Tamil Nadu, expressed its doubt about the authenticity of these doctors. They wanted a mandamus forbearing frauds from airing programmes on television channels and to stop the magazines and channels to conduct such programmes.

The police officer appointed on this inspection will verify the license of these doctors to check whether they are fraud. Justice S. Nagamuthu said that the allegations against these quacks appearing on television channels have no proof yet but the court cannot allow frauds to practice medicine.

The four alleged channels have, however, said that the doctors were qualified and they allowed the doctors to conduct programmes only after verifying the certificates. According to the counsel, the channels aired these programmes for the welfare of the public and they can provide relevant records to prove the genuineness of these doctors. Recording this statement, the judge said that the channels would be furnishing the records as assured.

Courtesy - thaindian.com

Don't let quacks advertise, HC tells TV

In a bid to prevent private satellite television channels from offering slots to unlicensed medical practitioners who promise remedy to all illnesses under the sky, the Madras high court has said the channels must stop allowing such doctors' from using the TV as platform.

Justice S Nagamuthu, passing orders on a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), has also asked the director-general of police to verify the licences of these doctors' and also inspect the offices of four channels to verify whether the doctors who gave such programmes had licence to practice medicine or whether they are quacks.

Making it clear that the court would not allow quacks to practice medicine, Justice Nagamuthu said the DGP should depute a responsible officer not below the rank of a deputy commissioner of police to verify the claims and records. "On such verification, if anybody is found to be a quack, the TV channels shall stop allowing them to give any programme in future. The police will take appropriate action against such quacks in accordance with law," he said.

As a word of caution, the judge said the police official must ensure that no harm was caused to the reputation of the channels as well as genuine doctors.

In its petition, the IMA's honorary state secretary J Ranganathan complained that many quacks were practising western system of allopathic medicine and violating the provisions of Indian Medical Council Act, Indian Medical Degrees Act, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, etc.

He said he doubts as to whether they are really qualified doctors who are licensed to practice or they are only quacks. He said the doctors' were claiming that they could cure diseases like AIDS, kidney disorders, etc. He also wanted the court to issue suitable directions to the media in the interest of the general public.

The channels -- Vijay Television, Raj Television, Raj Digital Plus and Jaya TV -- contended that they allowed only qualified and licensed doctors to conduct programmes. They said the channels were prepared to produced the relevant records for inspection to ascertain the genuineness of the doctors, as they too were interested in the welfare of the public and that they would not allow any quack to conduct TV programmes.

The government, on its part, assured the court that if any quack is found practising, the government would take appropriate action.

Recording both the statements, Justice Nagamuthu said he could not pass any restraint orders as there were no materials to support the allegations that quacks were also conducting programmes on these channels.

Courtesy - TOI

Auditions over at Chennai, Coimbatore

The first level audition for the Airtel Super Singer 3 took place in Chennai and Coimbatore. Scores of participants were present at the event to showcase their talent. S.P. Shylaja, Unni Menon, Pop Shalini, Mahathi and Carnatic vocalist Sowmya judged the best of singers.

Prospective participants from Trichy area can register their voices at the SRM Hotel, Race Course, Kaja Maalai, Tiruchi on Saturday, July 24, 2010 from 8am onwards to participate in the ground auditions. The video booths are set up in Singapore Hardware’s, Opp. Raja Theatre; Spencer’s No.6, Bharathiyar Salai and Mankudi Restaurant, McDonalds’ Road, Near Maalaimalar office where one could register their voices from July 19th-July 23rd from 10:30am.

According to a press release from Vijay TV, “Popular playback singers Srinivas, Unni Krishnan and Sujatha would be the Judges for Airtel Super Singer 3. This year, the winner gets to take a beautiful flat worth Rs.40 lakhs.