Competition for amateur Carnatic singers from today

Posted on 05/12/2014 in The Times of India

• CHENNAI: On Friday, Aruna Sairam, one of the most popular Carnatic singers, will kick off her season of song with an inaugural performance at the Times Thyagaraja Awards. The awards, currently in its fourth edition, serve as a platform for upcoming talent in the field of Carnatic music.
  
  The competition has grown in stature over the years with nominations from sabhas pouring in, concert venues getting bigger, and the number of celebrity concerts increasing. Singer Nithyashree Mahadevan had performed at last year's finale.
  
  Sairam, a Padma Shri awardee, says she has a lot planned for Friday evening as it is her first concert of the Margazhi season. "I realized there will be a lot of young masters on stage on Friday. So I have decided to focus on adding a vintage quality to my performance in terms of the compositions I am planning to sing," says Sairam, referring to the fact that finalists from last year's awards will be performing on Friday.
  
  "I am also planning a small tribute to U Shrinivas, the Mandolin maestro who passed away this year," says Sairam.
  
  The launch on Friday will be followed by open auditions for five days from December 15. Participants are nominated by sabha managements and shortlisted candidates from the open auditions will sing in the finals. Finalists will battle it out for the title in a grand finale that's scheduled at the Music Academy on February 7, 2015.
  
  Sabhas can nominate talented youngsters between the age of 12 and 23 by contacting 98404 69299. Trained Carnatic singers who have not performed in sabhas can also take part in the competition by registering themselves by sending SMS TTA14, the participant's name, age and email address to 58888. Registrations close on December 9.

   

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