HCL Concerts Announces the Fourth Edition of 'Carnatic Quest' in Partnership with Rhapsody Music Foundation

Chennai: HCL Concerts, a leading platform dedicated to promoting Indian classical performing arts, has officially announced the fourth edition of Carnatic Quest, a prestigious talent hunt for young Carnatic musicians. This year’s competition is launched in partnership with Rhapsody Music Foundation and promises to bring together the best young talents from across India. The competition will run from November 5, 2024, and is open to musicians aged 12 to 18.

Competition Details and Structure

This year’s Carnatic Quest invites participants to showcase their skills in five key categories: Vocals, Violin, Veena, Flute, and Percussion Instruments (including Mridangam, Kanjeera, Ghatam, and others). The competition will unfold in three rounds, with two digital rounds followed by a grand finale in Chennai in January 2025.

Round 1: November 5 to November 25, 2024, with results announced on December 5, 2024.
Round 2: December 5 to December 20, 2024, with results announced on January 3, 2025.
Grand Finale: Held in Chennai in January 2025, where the winners will be announced.

The contest is designed to offer young musicians a platform to showcase their talent on a national stage and gain recognition from the prestigious HCL Concerts, which is committed to nurturing young, meritorious talent and empowering them to embark on their musical journey.

Eligibility and Categories

To participate in Carnatic Quest, musicians must be between the ages of 12 and 18. The competition offers participants the opportunity to compete in one of five categories:

Vocals
Violin
Veena
Flute
Percussion

Prizes and Recognition

A total of eight winners will be selected, comprising:

Three vocalists
One musician each in Violin, Veena, and Flute
Two percussionists

The winners of Carnatic Quest will receive cash prizes, trophies, certificates, and a professional portfolio shoot to aid in their career development. Additionally, winners will have the rare opportunity to perform for HCL Concerts Digital, further boosting their visibility as upcoming Carnatic music artists.

Remarks from HCL Concerts Head, Anshul Adhikari

Anshul Adhikari, Head of HCL Concerts, shared his excitement about the launch of the fourth edition of Carnatic Quest:
“We are happy to launch the fourth edition of Carnatic Quest and are proud to partner once again with Rhapsody Music Foundation. Through this platform, we continue to nurture and spotlight young talent, empowering future Carnatic music maestros. We look forward to witnessing the creativity and dedication these young musicians bring to each round of the competition.”

An Opportunity for Future Carnatic Music Maestros

Carnatic Quest aims to provide a stepping stone for young musicians to develop their careers and emerge as maestros in the field of Carnatic music. By offering this platform, HCL Concerts continues its mission to bring forward young talent, encourage their growth, and help them evolve as professional musicians.

For more details and to register for the competition, visit HCL Concerts’ official website.