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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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FSS names Anand Krishnamurthi head of global digital delivery
Tech veteran to drive AI-first, cloud-led transformation in payments globally
CHENNAI: Financial Software and Systems (FSS), an AI-first payment infrastructure company, has appointed Anand Krishnamurthi as head of global digital delivery.
In his new role, Anand Krishnamurthi will lead FSS’s global digital delivery capabilities, focusing on AI-first and cloud-led transformation while ensuring predictable, high-quality outcomes for customers worldwide. He will be based in Chennai and report to V. Balasubramanian, CEO of FSS.
Bringing 28 years of experience in technology and digital transformation across banking, capital markets, financial services, and insurance, Anand has held senior leadership positions at Cognizant and NuSummit. He is recognised for scaling multi-geography delivery teams, leading mission-critical platforms, and embedding AI-driven automation in complex, regulated environments.
“What drew me to FSS is its deep payments expertise, strong product DNA, and the scale at which its platforms power real-world financial ecosystems,” said Anand Krishnamurthi. “I aim to strengthen delivery predictability, execution rigor, and engineering quality, building empowered teams that deliver measurable customer outcomes. FSS has a unique opportunity to create real-time, AI-infused payments infrastructure that is resilient, secure, and globally scalable.”
V. Balasubramanian added, “Anand’s track record in leading multi-geography delivery programs and AI-first operating models makes him the ideal leader for FSS as we accelerate our AI-driven digital payments business. His leadership will help us raise the bar for outcomes globally.”
This appointment is part of FSS’s broader push to build an AI-powered, cloud-native delivery organisation capable of meeting the evolving needs of banks, fintechs, and financial institutions worldwide.
