Hungama Artist Aloud, a platform that supports and promotes independent content, and Khazana – a festival of ghazals, an annual concert that celebrates ghazals, today launched the second edition of Khazana Artist Aloud Talent Hunt.

In its second year, the talent hunt will welcome entries from international participants, besides Indian contestants, making it a global competition. To be judged by renowned ghazal maestros, Pankaj Udhas, Anup Jalota, Talat Aziz, Rekha Bhardwaj and Sudeep Banerjee, two winners will receive a chance to perform alongside famous ghazal singers at ‘Khazana – A Festival of Ghazals’ on 26^th and 27^th July 2019 in Mumbai.

The talent hunt saw a phenomenal response last year with entries from over 75 cities in India. 20 contestants will be shortlisted and called to Mumbai to perform live in front of the judges. Thereafter, the jury will announce two winners who will win a rare chance to perform at ‘Khazana – A Festival of Ghazals’ in the august company of ghazal legends.

Talking about the talent hunt, Pankaj Udhas said, “Khazana is extremely close to my heart. It is more than just a ghazal concert, it is a homage to the exceptional art form that has been going on for ages and will remain for the times to come. WithKhazana Artist Aloud Talent Hunt our effort to identify and bring forth exceptional talent inghazal singing.  In our second year, we aim to reach out to all the corners of the world and provide a stage to aspiring singers globally.”

Khazana – A Festival of Ghazals was founded by legendary ghazal singer and President, Parents Association Thalassemic Unit Trust, Pankaj Udhas and Y.K. Sapru, Chairman and CEO, Founder Director, Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) with the support of ghazal maestros Talat Aziz and AnupJalota. Currently in its 18th year, Khazana has excelled in preserving and promoting the exquisite art of ghazal singing by giving a platform to both, new and established ghazal singers. All proceeds from the festival go to the Parents Association Thalassemic Unit Trust (PATUT) and Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA).

To participate, interested singers can upload videos of them singing ghazals on www.artistaloud.com/khazana till 10^th June 2019.