Soundscapes of India – Season 2 marked a significant evolution of India’s first and only Music Showcase Festival and Global Conference dedicated to connecting Indian music creators with international opportunities. Building on the foundation of its inaugural edition, Season 2 expanded in scale, depth, and global engagement, reaffirming India’s growing presence within the international music ecosystem.
Hosted by the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS), Soundscapes of India – Chapter 2 brought together music creators, independent artists, bands, managers, students, and industry professionals for three immersive days of knowledge exchange, live showcases, and direct engagement with global decision-makers. Conceived as an active gateway rather than a passive conference, Season 2 focused on readiness, access, and long-term pathways for Indian music on the world stage.

Spread across three days at IGNCA and The Piano Man in New Delhi, Soundscapes Season 2 combined conferences, workshops, one-to-one pitching sessions, and multi-stage live showcases. The format enabled Indian artists to engage directly with festival bookers and cultural representatives from over 15 countries, offering rare insight into how international festivals curate, collaborate, and commission artists. Across all three days, structured pitching sessions allowed creators to present their music to international festival directors, while workshops and panels focused on preparing artists for global audiences, touring ecosystems, sync licensing, and international copyright frameworks.

Season 2 featured a robust conference programme addressing the realities of today’s global music landscape. Key sessions included workshops such as Are You Export Ready?, Monetize Your Music – Decoding Sync Licensing, and Inside the Mind of a Festival Booker, alongside panels exploring borderless artistic pathways, leadership and equity in the music sector, cultural tourism, and future-ready strategies for creative growth.

A special session on The Art of Songwriting by Padma Bhushan Javed Akhtar brought a reflective dimension to the conference, reinforcing the centrality of craft and lyrical depth in sustaining global relevance. Fireside chats and festival spotlights offered direct perspectives from international markets including Germany, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Spain, France, Egypt, Indonesia, and beyond.

Complementing the conference were curated live showcases across multiple stages, presenting a wide spectrum of India’s contemporary, folk, regional, and experimental music. Over three days, audiences experienced performances by artists such as Tal Fry, Dashugs, Thayir Sadam Project, Kuntaw Mindanao, Meghdhanush, Imphal Talkies, Bodhisattwa Trio, Wild Wild Women, Panchbhuta, Sounds From The Hill, A Carnatic Quarter, and many more. These showcases functioned as live demonstrations of India’s artistic diversity, professionalism, and readiness for international stages.

Soundscapes of India – Chapter 2 moved beyond aspiration into intent. It positioned Indian creators not merely as performers seeking exposure, but as partners in global cultural exchange. Through focused conversations on intellectual property, international royalties, touring structures, and cultural diplomacy, the platform strengthened understanding of how global careers are built sustainably.
With participation from international delegates across Europe, Asia, and Africa, Season 2 reinforced India’s role as a credible and collaborative global music partner. It highlighted that Indian music is not a niche export, but a vital and evolving contributor to the world’s soundscape.
As a living and growing platform, Soundscapes of India – Season 2 stands as a milestone in India’s global music journey—championing creator rights, fostering international access, and building long-term pathways for Indian music to travel, resonate, and endure worldwide.