Alappuzha: In a glamorous event hosted by Pegasus India, Bavithra B representing Tamil Nadu won the much glorious title of Miss South India 2017.
The contest, sponsored by Manappuram Finance, had as much as 18 contestants representing the five south Indian states. Reshma R.K. Nambiar of Kerala became the first runner up and Varna Sampath of Karnataka became the second runner up. Nambiar was also crowned as Miss Queen Kerala 2017.
Last year's contest winner Meera Mithun handed over the crown to Bavithra in the marvelous closing ceremony organized at Camelot Convention Center, Alappuzha on January 27. Apart from the main titles, the contestants were also awarded victory sashes for specific excellence.
There were five Malayali contestants out of whom four represented Kerala. The contestants were selected from multiple rounds of audition conducted at Kochi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad.
The contest is on a par with international fashion events and had three rounds - designer saree, red cocktail and black gown.
Titles for specific excellence
Miss Queen Andhra: Sunaina Allamraju
Miss Queen Karnataka: Carol Menezes
Miss Queen Telangana: Sloka Sencher
Miss beautiful eyes: Samantha Jose (Thrissur)
Miss beautiful hair: Akila Narayanan (Tamil Nadu)
Miss beautiful skin: Varna Sampath (Karnataka)
Miss beautiful face: Carol Menezes
Miss beautiful smile: Carol Menezes
Miss congeniality: Reshma Nambiar (Kochi)
Miss personality: Bavithra B. (Tamil Nadu)
Miss cat walk: Reshma R.K. Nambiar (Kozhikode)
Miss perfect ten: Madhuri Jain (Tamil Nadu)
Miss talent: Varna Sampath
Miss photogenic: Sloka Sencher
Miss social media: Anu Treesa (Kottayam)
Miss viewers' choice: Nishita Sreenath (Karnataka)