MUMBAI: In an endeavour to honour Tamil icons in the field of cinema, business, politics and the next generation (youth), the India Today group has initiated the Sigaram 15 Awards.

The presenting sponsor of the event is Tata Tea and the associate sponsors are Helvetica and Raj TV. Sigaram 15 will be telecast on Raj TV on 5 February at 9 pm.

Speaking on the association with the India Today Group, Raj TV vice president sales and marketing B Shankar says, "We are very glad to partner with the India Today Group for Sigaram 15 and are looking forward to a long term association with them."

Each category will have 15 Tamil living icons who have made a difference in their respective fields. The first event, that will take place in Taj Coromandel, Chennai on 29 January, will honour 15 icons in Tamil cinema. Similar events will be held during the course of the year for the business, politics and the next generation categories.

The India Today team along with film producer-director Boney Kapoor, renowned Bharatanatyam Anita Ratnam amongst others comprised the panel who decided on the Top 15 achievers in each of the categories.

India Today's Tamil edition has great brand equity in Tamil Nadu and Sigaram 15 is an attempt to fortify the niche that the brand has created.