MUMBAI: After hosting a range of regional music awards, Big FM has announced ‘Big Odiya Music awards’ to felicitate the local music talent. The awards in its first year will be held on 3 November in Orissa.

A total of 11 categories are there in the jury awards while the popular awards consist of 18 categories. The eminent panel comprises of music director and lyricist Swaroop Naik, lyricist Debdas Chhotray, composer Nityashree Ranjan and senior movie critic Surjeo Deo.

The categories include ‘Best Big Odiya Music Director’, ‘Best Big Odiya Playback Singer’ (Male and Female), ‘Best Big Odiya Song of the Year’ and ‘Best Big Odiya Music Composer’ amongst others. The station has also decided to engage listeners across various cities in the state by including public voting for seven categories in popular awards.

The Talent of the Year Award will be presented by  Superia Super Fair Fairness Cream,  the title sponsor of the event.

Big FM Bhubaneswar station head G Ravi Kumar said, “The Big Odiya Music awards is an effort to provide the Odiya music industry with a unified platform to celebrate the best musical talent housed in Orissa. We are extremely glad to be joining hands with Superia Super Fair 2 in 1 Fairness Cream to present the first-ever awards ceremony that will celebrate Odiya music, art and culture. The event will highlight and recognize talent and creativity that has created new standards within the industry.”