MUMBAI: As a tribute to Bengali music, Zee's Bangla entertainment channel Alpha Bangla has instituted a music award property Alpha Sangeet Puraskar. The first edition of the awards was held in Kolkota on 13 February.

A jury panel comprising of columnist Swapan Mullick, musician Nondon Bagchi, film director Haranath Chakraborty and producer Mahendra Soni gave the final verdict on the winners based on public opinion, informs an official release.

There were 17 categories of nominees out of which legendary V.Balsara bagged the best instrumentalist award. Best music director award for non film was bagged by Nachiketa Chakroborty for the album Ei Agune Haat Rakho while the award in the film category went to Hotath Neerar's music director Janyo Bikram Ghosh.

Best male singer in the film category was won by Babul Supriyo
for the film Shakti and best female singer award in this category went to Jojo for the movie Sagar Kinare. Saregama India's Jhar Hote Pari Lopamudra won the best music video award.

In the Rabindra Sangit category, best male singer went to Srikanto Acharya for his album Jiban Chhabi and the best female singer was bagged by Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta for Cheena Phagun.

The major draw of the evening was the felicitation of Ramkumar Chattopadhyay and Nirmala Mishra with the Alpha Sangeet Sarbottam Sambordhana (Life Time Achievement Award) for their contribution to Bangla music.

The channel will telecast the award function on 20 February at 8:30 pm.