MUMBAI: The time has arrived yet again to identify and honour the gifted artists of the South Indian film music industry. Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM proudly presents the 5th Mirchi Music Awards South 2013, highlighting the achievements of the South Indian film music industry, for the year 2013. The grand programme brings together the big names of the four States of South Indian Films. The programme will be held on August 16, at Annapurna Studios, 7 acres in Hyderabad.

2013 turned out to be a big success for the Kannada film music, with a number of hit tunes. Several talented persons have entered the Kannada film industry like every year. This year awards will be given under 14 categories. Two special awards have been reserved to Radio Mirchi listeners – ‘Best Song of the Year’ and ‘Best Album of the year’ awards will be given through Radio Mirchi Listeners’ Choice, based on Listeners’ voting. The Jury consisting eminent personalities of Kannada film industry will select the remaining categories.

There will be two panels – Screening jury and Grand Jury. While the Screening Jury will shortlist nominations in all the categories, the Grand Jury will select the winners under each category.

There will be separate panels for all the four South Indian languages and there will be separate leaders for each panel. The President of Kannada film jury will be Sri S. Narayan, Tamil – Sri Gangai Amaran, Telugu - Sri D. Suresh Babu and Malayalam – Sri Shyamprasad. Ernst & Young will shoulder the responsibility of the entire auditing, including screening, shortlisting and selection of winners.

Speaking on the occasion, Prashant Pandey, CEO, Radio Mirchi noted, “I feel proud to present the 5thedition of Mirchi Music Awards. The attention and priority the film industry has extended towards this award function has been the inspiration for us to continue. The Radio Mrichi film awards, is a medium for us to extend our love and respect to the Kannada film industry which has been so supportive. The same selection method is followed strictly right from screening to nominations in order to identify genuine talent. I would like to extend my best wishes to all the artists who contribute for film music. Support and cooperation of Radio Mirchi would continue always.”

Noted Kannada film director and Kannada film award jury President S. Narayan observed that, “I feel proud to be
associated with the Mirchi Music Awards, because, the entire selection process is unbiased. Identifying genuine talent and providing opportunities for everyone to win an award is its major objective, and hence the jury members include personalities from the film music industry. I strongly believe that even the film music industry awaits keenly for this particular award function. Identifying and selecting the right talent for the award among such huge genuine talent is quite a difficult task for the jury. I wish the best to all the artists. Awards will be given at the function to be held on August 16.”