“What Protects Our Music?”: How AI Exposes Copyright Gaps In India’s Folk Traditions
India’s folk and tribal musicians asked us a simple question: What protects our music?
The truth is, the current copyright system does not. Built for individual, fixed works, it leaves centuries-old, community-owned traditions outside its scope—unprotected and vulnerable to misuse.
As AI accelerates the extraction and reuse of cultural material, this gap is no longer theoretical. It is urgent.
India must move beyond copyright and build a dedicated framework that recognises community ownership, ensures attribution, and enables fair benefit sharing. Because preserving heritage is not enough—the people who created it must be protected too.
India’s Music Industry Unveils Sangeet Dwar — A One-Window Licensing Platform for Public Performances
A landmark step for music licensing in India: Sangeet Dwar has been soft-launched as a unified, digital one-window platform for public performance permissions. Bringing together IPRS, PPL, Novex and RMPL, it eliminates the need for multiple licenses—making compliance simpler for organisers and venues.
At the same time, it strengthens royalty flows, ensuring artists, composers, and rights holders are fairly paid. A long-awaited shift, Sangeet Dwar marks a more transparent and efficient future for India’s music ecosystem.
Read More: https://musically.com/2026/02/06/single-window-music-licensing-platform-sangeet-dwar-has-launched/
Applications open for 2026 edition of IPRS’ Soundscapes of India
While South Asian representation at Coachella remains limited this year, Indian artists are making their mark on global stages.
Acts like Tāl Fry and Wild Wild Women are set to perform at major international festivals in 2026—opportunities sparked through Soundscapes of India.
Returning this August, the showcase continues to connect Indian talent with global festival curators and industry leaders
Read More: https://musically.com/2026/04/16/applications-open-for-2026-edition-of-iprs-soundscapes-of-india/
Javed Akhtar arrives in Nagaland for creators’ meet
Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi visited Nagaland to strengthen music rights awareness and licensing at the grassroots level.
In collaboration with the state government, Indian Performing Right Society will establish a dedicated IP Hub in Kohima to support artists with copyright, royalties and licensing.
This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to empower local creators, ensure fair remuneration, and build a more structured music ecosystem in the region.
Read More: https://www.morungexpress.com/javed-akhtar-in-kohima-as-iprs-nagaland-partner-on-music-rights
Rumpa Banerjee: Leading Without A Template,How Women Are Reshaping India’s Music Economy
Across India’s evolving music industry, women leaders are quietly reshaping the ecosystem—driving change from creative spaces to policy and business.
As conversations around rights, royalties, and cultural ownership gain momentum, they are championing a more inclusive and balanced music economy—one that values creators, communities, and heritage alongside growth.
Through collaboration and initiatives like Soundscapes of India, the focus is shifting toward representation, recognition, and long-term cultural responsibility.
This is not just progress—it is a redefinition of leadership in music.