“Nothing compares to the instant dialogue with an audience”: Vidhya Gopal

Singer Vidhya Gopal who has lent her voice to popular series like ‘Mirzapur’, ‘Permanent Roommates’, and ‘Modern Love Hyderabad’, as well as films such as Sanya Malhotra’s ‘Mrs’, and ‘Motichoor Chaknachoor’, now brings a fresh meaning to mehfil, blending it with guitar, violin, bass, and more.

Living the Ghazal, Note by Note: Nisschal Zaveri

A Hindustani classical vocalist on a mission to ensure the 'ghazal speaks not just to memory, but to every generation that listens. Nisschal, by way of weaving Hori, Chaiti, and Kajari lyrics with the modern resonance of piano, string quartets and EDM-infused arrangements, has crafted a path to let the music speak to the youth, while still keeping its emotional essence intact while giving it a fresh, modern pulse.

We wanted to design something practical for today’s performers: Rishab Rikhiram Sharma

Neo-classical musician and sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma debut and performance on India’s first-ever LED-enhanced electric sitar during the India leg of his 10-city Sitar for Mental Health Tour 2026 was nothing short of brilliant.

Paskin: From A Forgotten Tune To The East Indian Anthem That Keeps Everyone Grooving

No wedding is complete without the iconic East Indian song Paskin. The moment the song is played, even those seated at their dinner tables, join in this master blaster of a song, dancing to Crompton Texeira’s Paskin Paskin. The rhythm, the beats, the fusion of East Indian vibes are fused so well that you cannot help dancing to it.

Stirred and Fried – Tal Fry

Tal Fry, a dynamic Indian percussion ensemble led by Manohar Balatchandirane, last year performed at the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2025 in Sarawak, Malaysia — one of Asia’s most iconic cultural festivals.

I have received so much love from society, this concert is my way of giving back: Kavita Seth

Playback singer Kavita Seth is well known for her soulful voice and her ability to blend traditional Sufi and folk music with contemporary sounds. She has won the Filmfare Award twice in the Best Female Playback singer category, once in 2010 for her classical Sufi rendition of Iktara (Wake Up Sid - 2009) and in 2023 for her song Rangisari from the film “Jugiugg Jeyoo” (2022), this is besides other citations and awards.

Rhythm Divine: Raja Kumari

Like many young girls, Svetha Yellapragada Rao’s life wasn’t in the strata where she thought she was in. She wanted to do many things, like any normal teen around, but it was difficult, a South Indian girl growing up in America.

Rhythm is God: Sivamani

Sivamani is a highly acclaimed percussionist, known for his innovative techniques and showmanship in both the carnatic rhythmic style as well as Western jazz drums. He is the only Indian drummer to be conferred with the prestigious ‘Padma Shri’ by the Indian Government in 2019. On stage he can be seen surrounded by an impressive display of percussion instruments. His concert is nothing short of genius when it comes to percussion.

Events give independent bands a powerful stage: Avial

With their rich mix of Malayalam rock and folk, Avial is known for pushing musical boundaries. Their performances at South Side Story this weekend will be a high-energy celebration of regional sounds with a modern twist, captivating audiences across generations.

‘Either pack up, or just do the damn gig’: Farhad Wadia

Farhad Wadia’s musical journey has been a colourful one, from trailblazing Mumbai’s rock scene and founding Independence Rock now rejuvenated to maintain rock’s place in India, he talked to Reagan Gavin Rasquinha about music, I-Rock and more