North Bengal University Vice-chancellor Somnath Ghosh inaugurated the three-day competition.
District Magistrate Alis Vez, who was present on the occasion, said 200 people would take part in the competition while 100 others have been invited to perform.
Bhawaiya is a folk music popular in North Bengal districts like Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, parts of Darjeeling and North Dinajpur, besides parts of Assam.