MUMBAI: In 2003, when Anand Surapur launched the music record label Phat Phish Records and signed Rabbi Shergill (till then, an unknown who was rejected by music majors for almost six years until Phat Phish Records identified his talent). Eventually, Rabbi gained recognition for his song �Bulla ki Jaana' which soared to the number one position across the nation's music charts.

Taking ahead the same philosophy of encouraging hidden talent and giving independent artistes a strong platform, Anand Surapur, Chairman of Phat Phish Records will soon be hunting for bands in a music based reality show �The Big Band'.

Contrary to the trend where producers approach big names in the TV channel industry, Phat Phish Records' �The Big Band' will be aired on pubcaster Doordarshan in a 52 episode series (every Saturday and Sunday) starting from the first week of December – all the participants will be judged by music director A R Rahman.

Says Surapur, I was sick of Bollywood stuff, there's lot of existing talent – there should be some space for them." However, on being asked the reason to choose �Doordarshan' to air the show, Surapur said, In the past, Doordarshan has produced some of the best serials, not to forget the fact that it is also one of the most viewed channels....

The gratification is no less; the winner band will get a three-year recording contract with Phat Phish Records. This includes artist management, albums, music videos, tours and concerts on the national and international stage. The winning band will also be getting a cash prize worth Rs 10 million.

According to their official website Bigbandindia.com, the bands must have between two-10 members with at least one lead singer and must submit three tunes. The first tune has to be an original interpretation of a popular Bollywood, folk or regional piece.

The second tune has to be based on the band's interpretation of A R Rahman's especially composed melody for the show (to be released on 24 October). In addition, the bands with original compositions stand a brighter chance to get an entry. Shortlisted bands will be invited to the first stage of audition where they will be asked to perform any of the three pieces by the judges.

There are as many as four independent record labels in the same league like Phat Phish who constantly look out for fresh talents as there is a lot of music available in genres outside Bollywood, and record labels know they can support these new ventures because of new avenues of monetisation such as mobiles, live shows and the Internet.