MUMBAI: General entertainment channel Big Magic Ganga, will add a musical twist to its programming by introducing a devotional musical talent show 'Bhakti Samrat'. Through the show, the channel will try to connect the youth with devotional music along with aiming to celebrate the culture and music in the Hindi speaking region of India.

The show focuses on talent hunting in the Hindi speaking regions of India, and brings out Bhojpuri singers of the region. Auditions for the show took place across Varanasi, Ranchi, Patna, Delhi and other cities. Out of the 1000 people who auditioned, 16 budding singers have been shortlisted. The selected participants have been divided in four groups- 'Mithila ke Gaurav', 'Maghadh ke Yoddha', 'Purvanchal Ke Lal', 'Vananchal ke Veer'. Interestingly, the names of the group have been inspired by the old kingdoms in the Northern region of India. Currently, the selected participants are training in the Noida Studio to prepare for the reality show.

Participants will be heard singing devotional songs in Hindi, Awadhi and Bhojpuri, which would involve various music genres like Hindustani, Classical and Folk to name a few. There will also be constant use of poems written by Kabir, Meera and other saints.

The show will see a host of artistes from the Bhojpuri industry make an appearance on the show, along with host Alok Pandey and the judge panel, which includes singers Devi and Gopal Rai.

Reliance Broadcast Network COO Lavneesh Gupta said, "This is an excellent property for marketers seeking to reach a relevant audience base in the region. Given the resonance with the youth and appeal to the entire family, this property will deliver yet another engaging watch. For BIG Magic Ganga it is part of our endeavor to offer clutter breaking entertainment which is tailored basis insights of religion and festivities that resonate with audiences of the region. We are proud of yet another exclusive offering and I congratulate the team on the same."

Big Magic Ganga programming head Partha Dey said, "Music works in the region. Previously, we launched three music based IPs to celebrate Shravan, Chhath puja and Navratri. People like to participate in huge numbers. For one of the properties, we attracted more than 25000 people over a period of time."

Currently, the show will be supported with a multi media marketing plan across outdoor, radio, television and newspaper insert. On the radio front, Big FM Jharkhand invited entries for the auditions unlike other Big FM stations that are promoting the show on-air. There will be a series of such promotions on the radio. The winner of the show will be given the opportunity to co-host the radio show 'Seher with Anup Jalota'.

The show will commence on 22nd December and will air each evening from Monday - Friday.