MUMBAI: Dedicated to celebrating musical excellence, The Global Indian Music Academy (GiMA) Awards has announced the 6th edition of its prestigious awards, inviting entries from music labels, producers, and independent artistes. The Call for Entries went live from Monday, 11January, 2016 and will be open until Tuesday 26 January, 2016.

Music Labels, Film Producers and Independent artistes need to send in their music released between 1 December, 2014 and 31 December, 2015. The entries can be sent through the official website of GiMA:gima.co.in

Keeping in mind emerging trends, several categories have undergone revision and new categories too have been introduced. Further, several categories now focus on singles instead of albums.

In Film Music, Best Duo/Group that was formerly titled Best Duet. In Non-Film Music, Best Music Video has been added as a new category.                                       

Wizcraft International director Sabbas Joseph says, “The inspiration behind the conception of GiMA was the aim to bring together the best and biggest talents in Indian music onto one prestigious platform. We have been fortunate to be able to bestow this honour on some of the country’s most prolific talents in the music industry and to bring the industry together each year. This year, as we enter our sixth edition and we look forward to taking this legacy ahead.”

Commenting on the Awards, GiMA Advisory Board Member, Shridhar Subramanian, Chairman – PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) and President - Sony Music India & Middle East said “There is a wealth of opportunity and widespread visibility that artists stand to gain from an initiative like GiMA. I’m honoured to be associated with such an incredible platform and to witness the music industry come together each year.”

President IMI and GiMA Advisory Board Member Vijay Lazarus commented “Music is not only a talent in India but also a legacy passed on from generations. Year on year, GiMA has truly lived up to the aim of representing Indian Music globally and presenting merits to commendable work in the industry. I wish GiMA all the best in their endeavour to celebrate Indian music and extend my continuous support to the institution”

Advisory Board Member Shankar Mahadevan said “2015 has been a great year for Indian Music. I am really excited to see deserving musicians win and walk away with awards for their commendable work. Being a part of the GiMA journey year on year, this time too it humbles me to be a part this incredible initiative which unites and celebrates Indian music and musicians on one platform”

GiMA encapsulates a plethora of genres including classical, devotional, pop, rock, fusion, Bollywood, folk and more with the total number of award categories being 22 with 11 in the Film and 11 in the Non-Film segment. The voting process is open only to members from the Indian music industry and is monitored by KPMG, the official process valuators’ for the awards. Nominees are selected by the GiMA Jury panel, comprising of experts across various genres of the music industry. The Academy that comprises of over 350 members of the music and film industry votes for the final winners in a secret ballot process. The Advisory Board plays an important part in streamlining the Awards process; and all major decisions are taken with the consensus of the Board.

The Advisory Board and Jury comprise luminaries like Javed Akhtar, Dr L Subramanium, Pt Shivkumar Sharma, Prasoon Joshi, Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonsa, Vishal Bhardwaj, Kavita Krishnamurthy and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra among others.

List of Award Categories for GiMA: