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HCL Concerts strikes the right note with Carnatic Quest
MUMBAI: HCL Concerts, in collaboration with Rhapsody Music Foundation, has opened applications for the fifth edition of Carnatic Quest, a national talent hunt that hits all the right notes in discovering India’s rising stars of classical music.
Open to musicians aged 18 to 30, the competition invites entries across five categories, vocals, violin, veena, flute and percussion, promising young performers a chance to showcase their craft on a national stage.
Applications for round 1 are open till 30 November 2025, with results out on 14 December. The three-round format culminates in a live grand finale in Chennai early next year, where finalists will perform before an esteemed jury and audience.
This year’s panel reads like a concert line-up in itself, featuring legends such as Kalaimamani Sikkil Gurucharan, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, Kalaimamani K V Prasad, and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardees Shashank Subramanyam and Jayanthi Kumaresh.
Since its debut, Carnatic Quest has tuned itself into one of India’s most respected platforms for emerging talent. Many past winners have gone on to perform at prestigious festivals and on HCL Concerts’ digital stage.
“Through Carnatic Quest, we aim to make classical music more accessible to young practitioners and audiences,” said HCL Group associate general manager Nikhil Soni. “Each year, we’re inspired by the depth of talent across India.”
Seven winners will be crowned this season, three vocalists and one musician each for violin, veena, flute and percussion, with cash prizes, certificates, and a professional portfolio shoot up for grabs.
As the notes rise and rhythms unfold, Carnatic Quest 2025 promises to strike a chord with tradition while amplifying the future of Indian classical sound.
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ITC Sunfeast Farmlite launches Sugar Free Cookies range
New variants offer guilt-free indulgence for health-conscious snackers.
MUMBAI: ITC Sunfeast Farmlite is sweetening the deal for biscuit lovers who want to have their cookie and eat it too without the sugar. The better-for-you biscuits range from ITC Foods has expanded its portfolio with the launch of an all-new Sugar Free Cookies line, aligning with the company’s vision of ‘Help India Eat Better’. The range is designed for consumers who are rethinking sugar in their daily snacking but refuse to compromise on taste and indulgence.
The collection debuts with two tempting variants: Choco Nut Cookies and Hazelnut & Oats Cookies. Both are a source of protein and contain no trans-fat, while the Hazelnut & Oats variant is also lactose-free.
ITC Ltd. vice president (marketing), biscuits, foods division, Suraj Kathuria said, “At Sunfeast Farmlite, we believe mindful snacking should never come at the cost of indulgence. With this launch, we are catering to the growing need for guilt-free snacking while delivering a rich, satisfying cookie experience.”
ITC Ltd. vice president & head of food sciences for foods division Dr Shantanu Das added, “We have applied robust food science to develop cookies that are sugar-free while preserving the taste and texture consumers love.”
Each cookie comes in convenient single-serve packs to maintain texture and freshness. Both variants are available in 100g packs priced at ₹100 and can be found on quick-commerce platforms including Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto.
In a market increasingly leaning towards healthier choices, ITC Sunfeast Farmlite’s new Sugar Free Cookies prove that cutting sugar doesn’t mean cutting joy. For the health-conscious yet indulgent snacker, this could be the perfect bite-sized solution.
