MUMBAI: PDM International and Sahara One, along with the US based Mehta Entertainment, today announced the second Sangeet Awards, the only Indian music awards honouring excellence in Indian film and pop music on an international platform.

After the launch of the awards at the Royal Albert Hall, London in 2004, the Sahara One Sangeet Awards 2005 will be hosted at the Oakland Arena in Oakland, California, on 24 September.

Twenty four awards will be presented across three main categories: Film Music, Critics Awards in Film Music and Pop Music.

The jury panel for the Sangeet Awards 2005 comprises Ramesh Sippy, Suresh Wadkar, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shankar Mahadevan, Leslie Lewis, Ken Ghosh, Anubhav Sinha, Shiamak Davar and Saapna Mukherji.

Announcing the Sahara One Sangeet Awards 2005, PDM International managing director and CEO Sanjay Lal said, "Sahara Sangeet Awards 2004 marked the largest international gathering ever for the Indian music fraternity, along with distinguished members from the film industry. This year, we are taking the awards to the largest international hub of Indian film and music fans - the US - in order to promote and honour Indian musical talent on an even larger platform."

Having received votes from the music fraternity, Ernst and Young (India), the official auditors of the awards process released the nominations per category in Film Music and Pop Music.

Speaking on behalf of the jury, Sippy said, "We are happy to be associated with this initiative to get the Indian music fraternity its due respect and recognition. The nominees of the Sahara One Sangeet Awards 2005 are artists of great caliber and it has been a tough choice for the jury to vote upon the winners."

Sahara One CEO Shantonu Aditya said, "In our constant endeavour to bring innovative content to our viewers, we are proud to continue partnering the Sangeet Awards in their second year as well. With illustrious members of the music industry being felicitated amidst entertaining performances, Sangeet Awards promises to be a visual treat. This year, we shall bring the excitement to audiences not only in India, but in various other countries including the US."

PDM International has collaborated with US-based Mehta Entertainment as their international partners for the event.

Mehta Entertainment CEO Deepak Mehta said, "There have been innumerable celebrity concerts in America, but the Sahara One Sangeet Awards is by far the biggest Indian entertainment extravaganza ever staged in America. We are proud to partner Sahara One and PDM in this prestigious venture."

Representing the Indian film industry, Shahrukh Khan was present at the occasion to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of Indian music to popularity and success of Indian cinema. He will be joining the music fraternity at the awards ceremony in Oakland and will entertain audiences with a power-packed performance, alongside other star performers.

PDM has also partnered with Sohail Khan Entertainment, Morani and Soorma of Cineyug Entertainment and Showcraft Productions for the awards.

Film nominations

Best New Voice:
Atif Aslam (Woh Lamhe Woh Baatein, Zeher)
Ayesha Darbar (Wohh Kisna Hai, Kisna)
Jayesh Gandhi (Tala Tum Tala Tum, Aitraaz)
Kavita Seth (Maula, Vaada)

Best Lyricist
Javed Akhtar (Tere Liye Veer, Zaara)
Javed Akhtar (Wohh Kisna Hai, Kisna)
Javed Akhtar (Yeh Tara Woh Tara, Swades)
Javed Akhtar (Yuun Hi Chala Chal, Swades)
Sameer (Aankhen Bandh Karke, Aitraaz)
Sameer (Dhoom Machale, Dhoom)
Sameer (Sun Zara, Lucky)

Best Singer Male
Atif Aslam (Woh Lamhe Woh Baatein, Zeher)
Roop Kumar Rathod (Tere Liye, Veer Zaara)
Sonu Nigam (Chup Chup Ke, Bunty Aur Babli)
Sonu Nigam (Sun Zara, Lucky)
Sukhwinder Singh (Woh Kisna Hai, Kisna)
Udit Narayan (Aankhen Bandh Karke, Aitraaz)

Best Singer Female
Alka Yagnik (Aankhen Bandh Karke, Aitraaz)
Lata Mangeshwar (Yeh Hum Aa Gaye Hain Kahaan Veer Zaara)
Shreya Ghoshal (Piyu Bole, Parineeta)
Sunidhi Chauhan (Dhoom Machale, Dhoom)

Best Film Album
Aitraaz - Himesh Reshammiya
Lucky - Adnan Sami
Dhoom - Pritam
Veer Zaara - Lt. Madan Mohan

Best Film Song
Aankhen Bandh Karke (Himesh Reshammiya, Aitraaz)
Dhoom Machale (Pritam, Dhoom)
Sun Zara (Adnan Sami, Lucky)
Tere Liye (Lt. Madan Mohan, Veer Zaara)

Indi-Pop Nominations

Best New Voice
Abhijeet Sawant (Lafzon, Aapka Abhijeet Sawant)
Abhijeet Sawant (Mohabbatein Lutaunga Aapka Abhijeet Sawant)
Atif Aslam (Jal) (Lamhey, Aadat)
Manisha Agarwal (Pal Do Pal Mein, Teri Chahat Mein)

Best Lyricist
Goher Mumtaz (Lamhay, Aadat)
Nusrat Badr (Chanda Ki Doli, Chanda Ki Doli)
Sameer (Lafzon mein, Aapka Abhijeet Sawant)
Sameer (Mohabbatein Lutaunga, Aapka Abhijeet Sawant)

Best Singer Male
Abhijeet Sawant (Mohabbatein Lutaunga, Aapka Abhijeet Sawant)
Adnan Sami (Teri Kasam, Teri Kasam)
Faakhir (Maahi Ve, Mantra)
Sonu Nigam (Chanda Ki Doli, Chanda Ki Doli)

Best Singer Female
Shibani Kashyap (Kya Nazakat hai, Nazakat)
Shreya Ghoshal (Pyar Ke Baatein, Tera Mera Pyaar)
Shreya Ghoshal (Yeh Kya Hua, Tera Mera Pyaar)
Sunidhi Chauhan (Dhak Dhak, Tera Mera Pyaar)

Best Song
Chanda Ki Doli - Sonu Nigam, Chanda Ki Doli
Lamhay - Atif Aslam (Jal), Aadat
Maahi Ve - Faakhir, Mantra
Maula - Om, The fusion band
Mohabbatein Lutaunga - Abhijeet Sawant, Aapka Abhijeet Sawant

Best Album
Aapka Abhijeet Sawant
Chanda Ki Doli
Tera Mera Pyaar
Teri Kasam

Best Pop Group
Sandeep and DJ Sanjeev (Deewanapan)
Greg and Stan (Dil Ki Baat)
Jal (Aadat)
The Fusion band (Om)