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.