M'SIAN DEEPAVALI SONGWRITNG COMPETITION ATTRACTS FOREIGN ENTRIES

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- The first Deepavali songwriting
competition, "Deepa Raaga 2009", organised by a local club, has attracted
foreign participation.

The organiser of the competition, Chakravarthy Club, which launched the
competition in June has received 150 entries, including from India, Sri Lanka
and Singapore.

Organising chairman M. Marren, who is also the club's managing director,
said out of the 150 entries, 30 had been shortlisted to compete in the
semi-finals, which would be held for three days from Monday at the club located
in Wilayah Complex, Jalan Dang Wangi.

Three judges, well-known sittar player Samuel J. Dass, tabla player Prakash
Kandasamy and vocalist Babu Loganaatan will pick the best 10 songs for the final
which is expected to be held next month.

The contest offers cash prizes totalling RM85,000, with the top winner
receiving RM25,000, while the second prize is RM15,000 and third RM12,500.
The other seven finalists will each receive RM5,000.

Marren said the 10 songs to make it to the final would be compiled into an
album to be sold to the public in a bid to create festive songs for Deepavali.

"We are extremely pleased with the response. Our judges had a challenging
time to select the 30 semi-finalists as there are many good songs.

"Personally, I am happy that we are working well towards our goal of
creating a pool of songs that people around the world can celebrate Deepavali
with" he said. (US$1=RM3.50)
-- BERNAMA