Music

In Valmutty, a small village in Kerala’s Palakkad district, music is woven into everyday life. Home to generations of folk musicians, the village has now been officially recognised as Kerala’s first ‘Pattu Gramam’ (Music Village). The title honours a living musical tradition sustained through memory, devotion and community.

Kashish Mittal from Jalandhar did what few dare to. He let go of the IAS badge and chose music full-time. Today, he’s a celebrated Hindustani classical vocalist.

Forced to leave their villages in search of a better life, migrant families in Bengaluru’s slums often struggle to educate their children. Proud Indian, an NGO, is bridging this gap with innovative education initiatives and art programmes that empower kids to dream beyond survival.

Jamming with Jimi Hendrix and influencing the world music with his sitar, Ananda Shankar left behind a legacy that continues to resonate today.

Once a symbol of celebration turned into a tool of oppression, parai has reclaimed its legacy, breaking caste barriers and inspiring change through dedicated schools and movements.

Revealing the diversity and history of Indian music, the Indian Music Experience (IME) museum is an inspiring treasure of the nation’s rich legacy.

Scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur, Amar Bose lived a life of milestones, with his company being among the most well-known audio empires today.

Chennai’s Manikandan can play 18 different types of instruments, some of which you may have never even heard of. Fondly known as ‘Sound Mani’, he is on a mission to preserve ancient, rare, and native instruments from across India’s landscape.

Social entrepreneur Sriram V Ayer established his foundation NalandaWay in 2005 to use art forms like music, theatre, and more to transform the lives of children affected by disasters, violence, HIV/AIDs and more.

Educator Chandra Mukhopadhyay, who has spent decades documenting rare folk songs sung by women, narrates how rural women of Bengal used music to challenge the British Raj during the Swadeshi movement.