Vinod Bhat
The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, scheduled from 1 to 4 May at the Jio World Convention Centre (JWCC), Mumbai, serves as a platform for global dialogue in media and entertainment. Alongside sessions and showcases, WAVES 2025 features WAVES Culturals & Concerts, reflecting the spirit of “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries.” It opens a space where traditions intersect with innovation and countries connect through the shared language of the arts.
Across four packed days, audiences will dive into an immersive journey that moves from classical brilliance to bold, contemporary experiments, from timeless traditions to cutting-edge performances. Indian and international artists will take over some of Mumbai’s finest venues, turning every stage into a meeting ground of cultures, creativity, and fresh perspectives. WAVES Cultural & Concerts is where the spirit of collaboration finds its loudest, and proudest voice.
A Vibrant Ode to India’s Cultural Heritage
WAVES Culturals & Concerts honours Bharat’s spirit through a vibrant blend of music, dance, and storytelling, showcasing classical dances like Kathak, folk vitality, and martial forms like Kalaripayattu. A grand orchestra led by M. M. Keeravaani, with Shreya Ghoshal, Shankar Mahadevan, and others, will present the launch of the ‘Waves of India’ album. Performances like Sankalp: The Resolve, led by Sharad Kelkar, fuse Vedic traditions with modern cinema, while regional acts like the Tetseo Sisters and A. R. Rahman’s JHALAA highlight diversity. A dance musical curated by Anupam Kher, inclusive performances by visually impaired children, and ‘Create in India’ challenges like Wah Ustad and the EDM Challenge reflect India’s creativity, preserving heritage while inspiring global innovation.
The martial dance forms, such as Kalaripayattu from Kerala and Dandpatta from Maharashtra, will be particularly awe-inspiring, exuding raw power and discipline. These performances, rooted in the warrior spirit, will showcase Bharat’s proud legacy of strength and resilience, their dynamic movements a testament to the nation’s unbreakable strength.
A Global Convergence of Art and Unity
Under the theme “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries,” WAVES Summit 2025 unites artists in Mumbai with collaborations like KING and Alan Walker, and Dharavi Dream Project with Beatpella House. Performances like Sri Lanka’s majestic Ves Dance, Egypt’s mesmerising Al-Tanoura, Malaysia’s rhythmic Zapin, Mexico’s soulful melodies, and Indonesia’s intricate Balinese dances showcase a world of cultural richness brought together in harmony.
By reimagining traditions through modern rhythms and fostering cross-cultural dialogues, WAVES strengthens India’s global cultural influence. It weaves its diverse narrative into the world’s cultural fabric and promotes unity through innovative, boundary-breaking art.
Vibrant Voices: Panels Bridging Tradition and Innovation
WAVES 2025 panels explore the evolution of Indian music and live entertainment. The Spotify House session, led by Roshan Abbas, with Dr. L Subramaniam, Kavita Krishnamurthy, and others, examines classical music’s role in Bollywood, while another with Prasoon Joshi and Papon honours Sufi, folk, and ghazal influences in modern hits. The New Face of Entertainment panel, moderated by Deepak Choudhary, with Mahesh Bhupathi and others, discusses live events’ resurgence and features the launch of the White Paper on India’s Live Entertainment Economy. These discussions drive the creator economy, blending tradition with technology to cement India’s global leadership.
WAVES Culturals & Concerts showcases India’s rich heritage and modern evolution, blending traditional and contemporary art to highlight its resilience and diversity. By fostering global cultural exchange, it positions India as a leader in the cultural dialogue, inspiring innovation and ensuring its cultural narrative resonates worldwide.
