MTV Asia, which claims to be the most wanted music channel in the region, has announced that Ronan Keating lead singer of the pop group Boyzone will host the first-ever MTV Asia Awards in Singapore on 2 February along with Mandy Moore.

An official release also states that World Wrestling Federation star The Rock will present an award. The audience is expected to cross 7,000 and the channel claims that the ceremony will be available to over 150 million homes. Groove Armada will make music at the post show VIP party.

These are popular awards and the winners will decided through online voting. Registration forms are also being distributed at music stores and other places where youngsters hang out.

Voting is through www.mtvasiaawards.com and the polling closes Friday, 18 January. Over 350 outlets have signed up as voting partners, the release says. In India, they include music stores Rhythm House and Planet M in Mumbai, ABC Bowling in Ahmedabad, Landmark and HFO in Chennai. More than 60 media partners will provide media support for the event locally or regionally. In India they include Record, Elle, Upbeat and Rock Street Journal.

In December the channel had organised parties at nightspots in several countries which included India, Korea and Thailand. The channel also says that the award design is refreshing. It has been created by MTV Asia along with Panasonic and Royal Selangor. The cubical award trophy opens up on the top like a box revealing a multimedia screen inside. This plays a short tribute to the winner.

Speaking on this MTV Asia senior V-P for content & creative and creator of the state-of-the-art award David Flack said: "The award was designed to reflect the cube shaped show logo and is inspired by the magical box surprise theme of the show. The intention this year is to blend tradition with cutting edge technology. The surprise as to what is inside will be the obvious analogy to the show."

President MTV Asia Frank Brown said: "We are delighted to have such a fantastic lineup of celebrities and guests to join us at the show which celebrates both the great diversity as well as the commonality of youth culture throughout Asia. We look forward to creating an annual TV property that will play a significant role in documenting the music history of Asia over the years."

Mitsubishi Motors and Panasonic are the official partner sponsors of the show while Smart Communications is a partner sponsor in the Philippines. The event also has the backing of the Singapore Tourism Board.

The Indian nominees were chosen on popular demand by viewers of the channel and the results were audited by Surana&Surana Associates.

Indian Pop

1. Asha Bhosle - Na Marte Hum
2. Falguni Pathak - Saawan Mein
3. Shaan - Tanha Dil
4. Sonu Nigam - Jeena Hai Tere Liye
5. Ustad Sultan Khan and Chitra - Piya Basanti

Indian Film

1. Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan - Jaane Kyon from Dil Chahta Hai
2. Alka Yagnik, Kavita K Subramaniam, Sonu Nigam and Amit Kumar - Bole Chudiyan from the movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
3. Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan, Sukhwinder Singh, and Srinivas - Mitwa from the film Lagaan
4. Lata Mangeshkar and Udit Narayan - Humko Humise Chura Lo from the film Mohabbatein
5. Asha Bhosle, Sukhwinder Singh and Sonu Nigam - Kambakth Ishq from the movie Pyar Tune Kya Kiya

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