MUMBAI: Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd. and Indian Music Academy (IMA), a body founded by Pt. Jasraj to popularize all forms of Indian music, have joined hands to recognize talent from India’s vast music pool. The two majors announced the launch of Big Indian Music Academy Awards, an annual music award, on Wednesday 30 June 2010.
Among the musicians, Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, music director Pyaarelal, Jagjit Singh and music composers Salim – Sulaiman expressed their thoughts at the music award launch.
“Till now music in India was recognized only through film awards, but I always wished that there were separate awards that would recognize solely the musicians,” music composer Salim Merchant said.
However, Merchant also admitted that such a music award for Indian music and musicians should have happened long ago.
IMA patron Santoor maestro Pt. Shivkumar Sharma said, “In the past, music survived because of the patronizing of the Kings. Today establishments like Reliance have come forward, and that is a very good sign.”
Needless to say, these awards are expected to fill a huge gap of credible music awards in India as it will recognize music talents across all the music genres – Hindustani, Carnatic Classical, Bollywood, Pop, Jazz, Folk, Ghazal, Sufi and Qawali.
The IMA Awards will be a jury based award i.e the nominees will be selected by a jury of eminent musicians (yet to be announced). The popular categories, however, will be open to voting by music lovers across the country.
The awards will be heavily promoted over a period of four months across Reliance platforms like Big Street, Big Digital, Big Live including radio partner 92.7 Big FM as a pre-event build up exercise.
Interestingly, both radio and music industry have locked horns over issues like licensing and royalties. In addition, musicians and music labels for long have accused radio stations for programming content that only focuses on film music.
When radioandmusic.com questioned if the equation between the two industries is likely to change with this partnership, Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd declined to comment instantaneously.
The exact dates of BIG IMA Awards 2010 are yet to be announced.