Call For Entries: Toto Awards for Music (India)

Contemporary original music from all parts of India, in any genre and language, composed and written by an individual or a band/project is welcome. In the past TFA has received entries in genres ranging from rock, jazz, hip-hop, heavy metal and electronic to instrumental and folk, being sung in English, Hindi, Kannada, Bengali, and several other Indian languages. Although it is never easy to compare diverse entries, our experience is that talent and potential have a way of standing out regardless. TFA tends to reward music that innovates and explores new thought and intention in the Indian music scene, in the hope that the recognition and the cash award can help sustain it. The jury comprises individuals with diverse experience in music as well as an open ear for new sounds.

Toto’s first love and TFA’s first award recognises exceptionally talented singer-songwriters and music bands making any kind of music in India, in any language, and any genre. The only constraint is that their submissions must be their original content. Previous winners have represented a wide range of genres such as Metal, Hip Hop, R&B, Fusion and Electronica, and have come from all corners of India, including the north-east and Jammu and Kashmir. Music critics, producers and leading practitioners have been invited to form part of the independent panel of jurors.

Prize Information

• Two winners, to be decided by an eminent panel, will receive a cash award of ₹ 60,000 each.

Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality: Only Indian citizens residing in India are eligible for the award. Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders are not eligible.
• Age Restriction: 18 – 29. Since the motivation behind the award is to identify and encourage young talent, all members of the band/project must be born after 1 January 1995 and before 1 January 2007.
• Originality & Collaborations: All entries must contain only original compositions and lyrics composed and written entirely by the applicant individual/band/project. All published tracks must be published under the band’s name or artist name/moniker. The applicant individual/band/project must own the rights to all submitted music and recordings.
• Recording Quality: Professional grade studio recordings are not a requirement, but with recording gear easily accessible these days, they do expect a basic standard to be met. They believe that the recording process is an important one for musicians to hone their craft. They therefore expect to hear some effort being put into the recordings and arrangements, even if they are just home recordings. As a submission medium, they accept only SoundCloud links without exceptions.
• Language: If your music has lyrics in languages other than English, applicants are encouraged to additionally send in English translations of their lyrics to up their chances and help the jury reach a better verdict.
• Labels & Artist Management: Artists working with labels or professional management are permitted to apply. However, given that the spirit of the award is to foster relationships with the artists, they ask that all correspondence with TFA be conducted directly by the artist themselves, even if they have a manager/representative.

For more information, visit TFA.