All posts tagged: musicians

New study highlights Indian musicians’ worry over proposed government regulations for digital content | Latest News India

New study highlights Indian musicians’ worry over proposed government regulations for digital content | Latest News India

New Delhi, Indian musicians are worried about the government’s proposal to bring in new regulatory guidelines for digital content as they believe it will limit creativity and hamper collaborations with global artists, says a new study. New study highlights Indian musicians’ worry over proposed government regulations for digital content The survey by public policy think tank The Dialogue highlights India’s booming music creator economy, its role in cultural diplomacy, the rise of regional talent, and structural challenges that need to be addressed for long-term sustainability. Titled “Tuning into Change: Empirical Insights Into India’s Evolving Music Industry”, the survey captured responses from 1,200 musicians across regional, classical, folk, indie, hip-hop, and contemporary genres. It included musicians who create content in Hindi, English and various regional languages. According to the report, nearly three-fourths of musicians believe that compliance requirements could disrupt music output or delay music releases. “77 per cent worry that global collaborations could become more difficult if these regulations were introduced,” it said. Additionally, 82 per cent feel that requirements like pre-release scrutiny and mandatory …

Mahashivratri 2025: Sonu Nigam, Salim Merchant and other musicians’ devotional tracks celebrating Lord Shiva

Mahashivratri 2025: Sonu Nigam, Salim Merchant and other musicians’ devotional tracks celebrating Lord Shiva

As Mahashivratri dawns upon us, the reverberations of devotion can be felt through the music industry. Several renowned musicians have released tracks dedicated to Lord Shiva, each infused with deep personal reverence and musical brilliance. From Sonu Nigam and Kailash Kher to B Praak and Salim Merchant, these artists share the inspiration behind their compositions and how Lord Shiva’s presence has shaped their lives. BPraak, Sonu Nigam, Kailash Kher, Salim Merchant and Rajakumari share the inspiration behind their compositions and how Lord Shiva’s presence has shaped their lives. Adinath Shambhu Composed by Meenal Nigam and sung by Sonu Nigam, Shaan, and Kailash Kher, Adinath Shambhu is more than just a song—it’s a heartfelt tribute. Sonu Nigam describes it as “the most special song of my life,” primarily because it was composed by his sister, who has long been devoted to bhajans and kirtans. “More than me, she is more committed and hardworking,” he shares, adding that he requested his “brothers” Shaan and Kailash Kher to join him in this offering. His deep connection to Lord …

Why are musicians B Praak, Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Kailash Kher, Shankar Mahadevan soaking in devotional fervour?

Why are musicians B Praak, Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Kailash Kher, Shankar Mahadevan soaking in devotional fervour?

B Praak A huge devotee of Shri Krishna, B Praak is known for coming up with devotional songs frequently. Recently, he made a bhajan on Shri Ram, titled Aayiye Ram Ji. It features actor Shriya Saran. He wrote on Insta: “Aayiye Ram Ji… Spreading hope, positivity, and devotion with the melodious voice of Shreya Ghoshal and the blissful presence of Shriya Saran.” (Clockwise from top left) B Praak, Shreya Ghoshal, Meenal Nigam, Jaani, Sonu Nigam and Kailash Kher (Photos: Instagram) Jaani Lyricist-composer Jaani released a bhajan, Shivaya, a couple of months back. Sung by musician Diljit Dosanjh, Jaani says it’s a “prayer close to my soul, born from a journey through my darkest times full of anxiety and depression. It’s my heartfelt prayer to Mahadev for guidance and strength”. Now, Jaani has also penned a bhajan on Shri Ram, titled Aayiye Ram Ji, which has been sung by Shreya Ghoshal. Shreya Ghoshal Singer Shreya Ghoshal came up with a Saraswati bhajan on Basant Panchami/Saraswati Puja earlier this week. Titled Saraswati Vandana, the song has been …

Zakir Hussain Tabla maestro dies in US at 73 after diagnosed with heart ailments condolences musicians grief mourn – India TV

Zakir Hussain Tabla maestro dies in US at 73 after diagnosed with heart ailments condolences musicians grief mourn – India TV

Image Source : PTI (FILE) Zakir Hussain. Zakir Hussain dies: Zakir Hussain, Tabla maestro, passed away in the United States after being diagnosed with serious heart issues on December 15 (Sunday). He was earlier admitted to the ICU of a San Francisco hospital, his friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia confirmed.  Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore posted on X about the sudden demise of Hussain.  The percussionist, one of India’s most celebrated classical musicians, received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023. The 73-year-old US-based musician, who has taken the tabla to the global stage, had been having blood pressure issues, added Hussain’s manager Nirmala Bachani. “He has been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco for a heart-related problem for the last two weeks,” Bachani said. “He is unwell and admitted in the ICU right now. We all are worried about the situation,” Chaurasia told media. The eldest son of legendary tabla player Allah Rakha, Hussain has followed in the footsteps of his father, becoming …

Meet Tara and Trisha: Young musicians making their mark in entertainment

Meet Tara and Trisha: Young musicians making their mark in entertainment

Meet Tara and Trisha, 16-year-old twin musicians from Bengaluru with a background in music from an early age. They began singing in church and community events at three and developed formal music skills by five. By ten, they had formed a girl band, often performing at school events and local gatherings. They gained further experience in stage productions, excelling in performances that showcased their ability to handle complex harmonies. Tara and Trisha were signed by one of the world’s leading talent agencies, United Talent Agency. An early start Their talents were further highlighted when they were cast in their school’s production of In the Heights, where they gained valuable experience in full-fledged stage productions. Their ability to effortlessly decipher and perform complex five-part harmonies by ear at just ten years old set them apart. By 12, they started performing professionally and achieved recognition in local competitions. Tara, known for her improvisational skills, secured a lead role in School of Rock, while Trisha contributed with her distinctive voice. A notable breakthrough came during the lockdown when …

Prominent musicians in Kolkata condole death of sarod exponent Ustad Aashish Khan

Prominent musicians in Kolkata condole death of sarod exponent Ustad Aashish Khan

Kolkata, Prominent musicians in Kolkata on Saturday expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Sangeet Akademi awardee Ustad Aashish Khan, describing him as one of the last great maestros of classical instrumental music. Prominent musicians in Kolkata condole death of sarod exponent Ustad Aashish Khan Ustad Khan, a renowned sarod player from the Maihar Gharana, passed away in the US on Friday. He passed away due to age-related ailments, his family members confirmed. His nephew, Ustad Shiraj Ali Khan, confirmed the news on social media, stating, “With extreme sadness, we inform you of the passing of our revered and beloved Aashish Khan.” “We have been blessed to have him in our lives and he will remain in our hearts forever,” Khan said. His brother, Ustad Alam Khan, also shared the news, paying tribute to his sibling, calling him a “maestro of the sarod” and a “khalifa of the Maihar Gharana.” He added that Aashish Khan was surrounded by family, friends, and students in his final days. Ustad Alam Khan praised his brother’s legacy, calling him …

Ricky Kej: Indian musicians make the best music

Ricky Kej: Indian musicians make the best music

Reflecting on his nomination in the Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album category at the upcoming Grammy Awards, Ricky Kej admits the situation is unique. He will, after all, compete with three other Indian artistes, including Radhika Vekaria, Anoushka Shankar, and Chandrika Tandon for the same title. “In the past years, there haven’t been that many Indians who have been nominated in this category. This is the year for Indian musicians and I’m thrilled about it. It’s an absolute honour to be nominated amongst them. But I would not say that they are unique to this genre. I believe Indian musicians make the best music,” says the three-time Grammy winner, who will compete this year with his album, Break of Dawn. Kej has made it his mission to further the message of environmental causes, and has often employed music to help in the endeavour. “There’s an ancient Buddhist-Hindu philosophy that suggests that the impurities of the environment are a reflection of the impurities of the mind. So, to cleanse the environment, we have to …

How Track Star became your favorite musician’s favorite TikTok show

How Track Star became your favorite musician’s favorite TikTok show

Guess the artist, win five bucks. Whether you’re a random person on the streets of New York, an A-list celebrity, or the sitting Vice President of the United States, that’s the pitch behind one of the most fun music shows on social media. You show up, you get some headphones and a microphone, and you hope you know what song is playing. The show is called Track Star, and it’s hosted by Jack Coyne. On this episode of The Vergecast, the first in our three-part miniseries about the future of music, Coyne joins the show to tell us the story of Track Star. We talk about the show’s beginnings as a trivia show about New York called Public Opinion, how Coyne and his co-creators figured out the show’s structure and pace, how he thinks about his role as the host, and why a bunch of famous people started clamoring to be on the show. Coyne never expected Track Star to feature the likes of Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo, Jack Antonoff, Nelly Furtado, Kamala Harris, and …

Shaan questions use of drugs and alcohol in music industry; says ‘musicians shouldn’t be allowed all these things…’

Shaan questions use of drugs and alcohol in music industry; says ‘musicians shouldn’t be allowed all these things…’

This article contains references to alcohol and drug addiction Shaan is one of the few singers who is admired for his honest and unfiltered nature. Recently, he spoke about the problems of drug and alcohol use in the music industry during an interview. He admitted to having personal experience with these substances but emphasized that relying on them can leave singers ‘handicapped’ in the long run. He also called for regulations to be put in place against such practices. The use of drugs and alcohol in the music industry for creative stimulation has been a topic of discussion both nationally and globally. In a new interview with Ranveer Allahbadia on his podcast, The Ranveer Show, Shaan shared his experiences and opinions on this issue. The singer, known for his soulful voice, admitted to having experienced addiction and advised other musicians against falling into the same trap. He stated, “Don’t turn to substances out of depression or for personal gain. They shouldn’t be used professionally; in fact, you should avoid anything that becomes a crutch.” He …

Neha Kakkar and Abhijeet Bhattacharya spark a fresh debate: What’s wrong in performing at weddings? Musicians speak up

From international artistes like Rihanna and Beyonce performing at Ambani wedding festivities to Indians singers and music sensations like Diljit Dosanjh, Mika Singh, Shilpa Rao among others, who are often seen crooning at weddings, the debate around the right and wrong in this situation rises time and again. Recently, as a special guest on reality show Superstar Singer, singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya once again sparked a controversy, where he got into a heated argument with judge Neha Kakkar, as he took a jibe at singers who perform at weddings. Neha Kakkar and Abhijeet Bhattacharya on Superstar Singer 3 The video going viral online shows the former telling a contestant the difference between performing for money or rejecting private assignments, to which Neha responded that no work can be considered big or small, and if someone needs to earn and they have to perform at weddings, there’s absolutely nothing wrong in it. HT launches Crick-it, a one stop destination to catch Cricket, anytime, anywhere. Explore now! Check out the video below: Abhijeet had said, “Koi bhi paisa …