Lokmat's 8th edition of “Lokmat Sur Jyotsna National Music Award” held on 23rd December 2021 at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi

`Sur Jyotsna National Music Awards’(SJNMA) has been instituted in the memory of Late Smt. Jyotsna Vijay Darda, who was a connoisseur of music and a talented singer as well.

The award conceptualised in 2014 is now in its 8th edition of celebrating emerging musicians from across the country and is conferred every year on two young and upcoming promising disciples of music.

“Surjyotsna” is a ‘Vichar’, a thought to promote Indian Abhijaat Sangeet. It aims at recognising the budding talents that hold potential to generate large-scale impact. It is an endeavour to pass on the tradition of rich music culture of India to the younger generation and to nurture Indian music in our country.

The award is for young, talented, upcoming, and highly creative/innovative singer/ instrumentalist between the age group of 12-25 years. The award is given to the talent who has mastered an art of India's Sangeet or traditional music with a global appeal.

The Surjyotsna National Music award committee hopes that these awards would encourage, motivate and inspire the youngsters to innovate, create a great piece of work in Indian music and make an impact nationally and internationally.

It aims to provide a financial incentive and a performance stage for aspiring but talented singers and classical musician across India. These musicians show immense talent and potential to make a mark in the music world soon.

Over the last seven editions the Sur Jyotsna National Music Awards has established itself as one of the most prestigious music awards in the country and has been won by noted performers.

The performances by the young music maestro winners are then held across stages in 6 cities namely Nagpur, Pune, Kolhapur, Nasik, Mumbai & Delhi.

An eminent Jury comprising distinguished singers, music experts, composers from the field of music will evaluate the winners and have unrestricted power to decide on the awardees.

Over the years stalwarts like Pt. Jasraj, Dr L Subramanium, Hariharan, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Prasoon Joshi, Subhash Ghai, Shankar Mahadevan, Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Shubha Mudgal, Ajay-Atul, Anuradha Paudwal, Roop Kumar & Sunali Rathod, Shashi Vyas, Gauri Yadwadkar, myself etc. have been the members of the robust jury.

The jury scout talent through multiple sources and decide on 2 winners (one male & one female) who would be awarded the coveted award trophy and the prize amount /money. The jury follows a pre laid criteria and eligibility conditions for the selection process.

Every year, the award ceremony was held in Nagpur (Maharashtra) in the presence of eminent personalities & dignitaries along with a famous artist performance.

But last year in 2020 we took them to Mumbai and were held at Shanmukhananda auditorium and this year we are having the award in Delhi at kamani auditorium. The Sur Jyotsna concept is promoted in multiple cities of the country and world through events, digital and other media.

Year wise list of winner’s & performance artist -

2014
Winners Reewa Rathod & Anvar Ali Khan Performance artists Roop Kumar Rathod & Shankar Mahadevan

2015
Winners Pooja Gaitonde & Ojas Adhiya Performance artists Hariharan & Reewa Rathod

2016
Winners Ankita Joshi & S.Akash
Performance artist KK

2017
Winners Swati Majumdar & Ramakant Gaikwad Performance artist Kailash Kher

2018
Winners Anjali Gaikwad & Brijwas Brothes Performance artist Ankit Tiawri

2019
Winners Arya Ambeker & Shikhar Naad Quereshi Performance artist Shreya Ghoshal

2020
Winners Hargun Kaur & Prathamesh Laghate Performance artists SJNMA past winners

2021
Winners Lydian Nadhaswaram & Maithili Thakur Performance artists Ayaan Ali Bangash & Amaan Ali Bangash