RBNL & IMA join hands to launch "BIG IMA Awards 2010'

Reliance Broadcast Network Limited (earlier known as Reliance Media World Ltd.) through its experiential marketing wing BIG Live, joins hands with The Indian Music Academy, India's most authentic platform for the promotion and popularization of all forms of Indian music to create India's largest and most credible Music Awards. Together, the two organizations will bring together their respective core expertise, to create India's only and largest celebration of all genres of music, through an annual event - "BIG IMA Awards 2010' - BIG INDIAN MUSIC ACADEMY AWARDS

Music in India, like our country has diverse forms, each unique and reflecting the de-rooted role of music in our cultural heritage. All these forms of music continue to co-exist and thrive, with each having its own set of brilliant performers and artists. There has never been any platform which recognizes this truth about Indian music and seeks to recognize the contribution of the talent behind this music.

The core USP of this award that it is aimed at recognizing music talent from across the country and from across genres of Indian music ranging from Hindustani, Carnatic Classical music to main stream Bollywood, Pop & Jazz music to traditional Indian music like Folk, Ghazal, Sufi, Qawali as well. Truly the largest celebration of Music in India.

Supporting the BIG IMA Awards 2010 at its launch announcement, were several well known music veterans who are also the Patrons of the IMA. Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, the world renowned Santoor performer, famous lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar, Pyarelalji, the most famous music composer and musical genius, and the Ghazal Maestro Jagjit Singh. Also present were Salim and Sulaiman Merchant, the most sought after Bollywood film composers, showcasing the amalgamation of varied forms of Indian music. Showcasing the coming together of Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd. and the Indian Music Academy were Tarun Katial, CEO, RBNL and Durga Jasraj, Co-founder IMA.

This is a Jury based award which will also comprise of some popular categories. The nominees of the "BIG IMA Awards 2010' will be meticulously selected by a Jury comprising of stalwarts and respected musicians from the Indian music fraternity. The Popular categories will be open to voting by Music lovers across the country through extensive promotions on BIG FM, on ground activations and digital promotions. The awards will see promotions across India, with a series of events and activities happening across the country before the actual Awards night. These will include a Fashion show by selected Music talent, series of musical concerts across the country, a month long celebration of music and nominees on BIG FM, along with the participation of musicians and artistes at each stage. Given with vast network of Reliance Broadcast Network across 45 cities of the country, the reach of these awards is not just restricted to the metros but will penetrate deep into the country, reaching 52,000 villages and over 2 million people across the length and breadth of the country. RBNL's integrated offerings ranging radio through 92.7 BIG FM, out of home through BIG Street, digital through BIG Digital and experiential marketing through BIG Live will come together to ensure a holistic treatment and promotion to the awards.

The strength and media muscle of Reliance Broadcast Network, combined with India's most credible platform for music, the Indian Music Academy, ensures that this award will be the pinnacle of acknowledgement for the Indian music talent. The awards are truly based on the authenticity and credibility which are provided by the musicians, for the musicians and of the musicians. In its strive to bring the entire music industry together IMA is supported by stalwarts in the music industry including Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Asha Bhosle, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and Javed Akhtar, playing the role of Patrons. The IMA is founded by Pandit Jasraj.