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Big Magic launches devotional music talent hunt ‘Bhakti Samrat’
MUMBAI: Viewers in Bihar and Jharkhand are soon going to be treated with a pleasant surprise. Reason, Big Magic Ganga is all set to launch the first ever devotional music talent hunt show – ‘Bhakti Samrat’.
The show will celebrate the region’s bright culture and music. Focused on providing a platform to the budding talent of the region, while giving a platform to the Bhojpuri singers, it will hit the television screens from 22 December and will air at 9 pm from Monday – Friday.
Using music as a tool to connect the youth to God, the special offering promises to resonate excellently with audiences. The show is based on the devotional music talent hunt format for Bhojpuri singers of the region. It will see a host of artists from the Bhojpuri industry making an appearance on the show along with host Alok Pandey and the judges panel Singer Devi and Gopal Rai.
Auditions are underway across Varanasi, Ranchi, Patna and Delhi and have seen people come forward in thousands to participate. With stringent elimination rounds, only the final 16 will be hand-picked to go ahead and fight for the title. Ensuring true local flavour, the selected contestants will be divided into four teams: Mithila ke Gaurav, Maghadh ke Yoddha, Purvanchal Ke Lal and Vananchal ke Veer each representing the region from which the contestant belongs. These four teams will fight and only one contestant will emerge as ‘Bhakti Samrat’.
Speaking on the property, Reliance Broadcast Network COO Lavneesh Gupta said: “This is an excellent property for marketers seeking to reach a relevant audience base in the region. Given the resonance with the youth and appeal to the entire family, this property will deliver yet another engaging watch. For Big Magic Ganga it is part of our endeavour to offer clutter breaking entertainment which is tailored basis insights of religion and festivities that resonate with audiences of the region. We are proud of yet another exclusive offering and I congratulate the team on the same.”
The show will be supported with a multi media marketing plan across outdoor, radio, television and newspaper inserts.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
