This year, there will be 13 awards across various categories in each language for the films released in the year 2011. In addition, there will be two special awards in each language - a Lifetime Achievement Award and a Jury's Special Recognition Award for outstanding contribution to Film music. Keeping in mind the interest of radio listeners, there will also be a Radio Mirchi Listener's Choice award given to ‘Best song of the year' and ‘Film album of the year', which will be chosen by popular vote. The process of screening, short-listing and selecting of winners is being audited by Ernst & Young.

Each of the four South Indian languages will have separate jury panels headed by a chairman. The Tamil jury chairman is Gangai Amaran, while the Telugu Jury is headed by D. Suresh Babu, the Kannada jury by Hamsalekha, and the Malayalam industry is chaired by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. The jury meetings for the four regional languages took place this week.

Speaking about the awards, Prashant Panday, CEO, Radio Mirchi said: "It gives me immense pride to announce the third edition of Mirchi Music Awards South. The warm welcome and positive feedback from the film industry that we have received on Mirchi Music Awards in the last two years has inspired us to take it to a new level this year. This is Radio Mirchi's way of showing its love and respect to the industry that means so much to us, not only as a company, but also as a country. From screening to selecting to the final awards, each process has been meticulously planned in a structured manner so that no deserving work goes unnoticed. I extend my best wishes to all the artists who are doing a great job in music and our support to them will continue in the coming years."

Hamsalekha, Chairman of the Kannada jury, veteran lyricist and music director, added: "Mirchi Music Awards has filled in the gap that existed in the Indian music industry. It is surprising that in a country where music lies in each and every aspect of life and which is a very big part of our films, music was not being given due recognition. It is very heartening that Radio Mirchi has pioneered this effort for the last few years. I am happy to be associated with Mirchi Music Awards South 2011 for the third year running, and am sure that the event this year will be even bigger and better than last year. Mirchi Music Awards bind the entire music fraternity by recognizing all those who have a passion for music, be it writing, composing or singing. I know that the music fraternity in the Kannada film industry is looking forward to these awards and the recognition it brings."