MUMBAI:  After successfully instituting Mirchi Music Awards for Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada and Malayalam industry, Radio Mirchi is all set to celebrate excellence of the MARATHI music industry.

Radio Mirchi powered by Indus Health Plus unveils the first ever Mirchi Music Awards Marathi. The awards will recognize and felicitate the cr?me de la cr?me talents for their contribution to the Marathi industry between January – December 2012. The illustrious and eminent jury, that includes renowned maestros and veterans, met on 28 February 2013 to close in on nominations across 14 categories and decide on the winners.

The jury members include renowned maestros and veterans from the Marathi Film fraternity. Suresh Wadkar, the Jury Chairperson is shouldering the responsibility with the veteran Ashok Patki as the Head of the Jury. Some of the other names on the jury include Aarati Ankalikar, Abhijit Pohankar, Bela Shende, Kaushal Inamdar, Soumitra, Sadhana Sargam, Dr Salil Kulkarni, Sandeep Khare, Shridhar Phadke, Sudhir Moghe, Vaishali Samant and Vijay Dayal. This will then culminate in a glittering and a power-packed event in Mumbai in 3^rd Week of March.

Making the announcement, Prashant Pandey, CEO at ENIL said, “Radio Mirchi has always been pioneers in promoting and appreciating exceptional talents of the music industry with our unique and innovative properties. With Mirchi Music Awards Marathi Powered by Indus Health Plus  we are foraying into the Marathi industry. There are many unsung talents in this industry. We think they deserve the due credit for their immense contribution to the Marathi music industry. And this is why we instituted this award. We hope the best person wins.”

Sharing his opinion, Suresh Wadkar, jury chairperson, Mirchi Music Awards Marathi Powered by Indus Health Plus, said “ It gives me immense pleasure and joy to be a part of an award ceremony that honors the talent of the Marathi music industry. This is the first year of Mirchi Music Awards Marathi Powered by Indus Health Plus  and hence we are very cautious and careful in picking the categories. As a chairperson and a member of the jury, I have personally ensured fairness to the talent and be absolutely unbiased to any talents.”

Agreeing with him, Ashok Patki, head of jury says, “To award performers is always a good gesture and would personally thank and congratulate Radio Mirchi in instituting Mirchi Music Awards Marathi Powered by Indus Health Plus . The categories in which we are felicitating talents are great. Picking the winner thoroughly on basis of their contribution is difficult. As the Head of Jury, it is my responsibility to be unbiased and unanimously make a balanced decision.”

While the awards will felicitate musicians across various categories, Radio Mirchi listeners will also get a chance to vote for their favourite Marathi artists and song in the year 2012.