Kochi: Amidst an electrifying backdrop of high-voltage music, Decibel, the much-awaited music band competition organised in connection with Manorama Hortus festival, kicked off at the Muthoot Institute of Technology and Science (MITS), Varikoli.

The event, aimed at identifying Kerala’s best music band, is organised by Radio Mango in association with Trends. The competition is open to all and has no age limit. Popular actor Rima Kallingal inaugurated Decibel and launched its presentation song at the event.

The launch ceremony was jointly hosted by the MITS Music Club, Media Club and the Students’ Council.

College Principal Dr P C Neelakandan, Vice Principal Dr Chikku Abraham, Jayadevan Unni (Marketing Head, Trends Kerala Fashion and Lifestyle), S Rajesh (Format Head, Trends Kerala), Varghese Chandy (Vice President, Marketing, Malayala Manorama), Academic Dean Dr Shajimon K John, Coordinator Dr Nivya Keshav and Dr S Dhanya were among those who spoke on the occasion.

A live band performance by Athul Krishna Gopakumar, Aron Thomas Philip, M Madhav Das, Adithya S Kumar, Pranav Aneesh and Marc George added energy to the event.

The Decibel auditions will be held on November 15 in Thiruvananthapuram, November 22 in Kozhikode, and November 23 in Kochi. The top five bands from the auditions will compete in the grand finale at Durbar Hall, Kochi, on November 28.

The winners will earn an opportunity to perform alongside the renowned band `Indian Ocean' during the Manorama Hortus Festival, scheduled to be held at Subhash Park, Kochi, from November 27 to 30.