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Time of India
13-07-2025
- Time of India
Purbayan Chatterjee: I'm excited to perform with Shankar Mahadevan at NYC
Sitar virtuoso Purbayan Chatterjee is set to perform with Shankar Mahadevan in New York City on September 12 and 13, promising a diverse mix of Indian classical, folk, and contemporary music. The concert will also feature tabla maestro Ojas Adhia, folk singer Mame Khan, and Shreya Ghoshal. Sitar virtuoso Purbayan Chatterjee is all set to share the stage with the legendary singer-composer and Grammy-winner Shankar Mahadevan on September 12 and 13. He says, 'I'm very excited to be performing in New York City alongside Shankar Mahadevan ji who is one of my mentors. Shankar ji is like a guru, a mentor and we are under his baton and command at the show, so we will play whatever he wants us to. ' The concert promises an eclectic mix of Indian classical, folk, and contemporary sounds. Though the exact setlist is still under wraps, Purbayan shared some possible musical directions based on the spontaneity that defines Shankar Mahadevan's approach. 'If I'm trying to make some guesses about what we might play, the first thing that comes to mind for me right now is of course Garaj Garaj from Bandish Bandits,' he says. The lineup is a veritable celebration of Indian musical diversity. 'Tabla maestro Ojas Adhia is expected to join,' he says hinting at intricate classical exchanges. 'I'm sure Shankar ji will lead some kind of a jugalbandi and a trading between the three of us,' Purbayan speculates. Adding to the mosaic are folk powerhouse is Mame Khan, and the melodious icon Shreya Ghoshal . 'I'm sure the concert will have different components. Shreya Ghoshal ji will be singing some ballads or maybe some ghazals, and I will try to do my bit to add to those,' he says. The grand finale, he shares, will bring all the artists together in a 'culmination with everybody trying to add different colors and flavors from different regions of India and different aspects of Indian music.' As rehearsals gear up closer to the date, what remains certain is that this collaboration that is driven by reverence, spontaneity, and shared artistry, will be one for the ages.
The Wire
09-07-2025
- The Wire
Icons Light the Path for Indian Youth at Indian Institute of Creative Skills' Media Conclave
'Made for Media' by Indian Institute of Creative Skills becomes a national call to action for aspiring creators The lights dimmed. The stage glowed. And as the ceremonial lamp was lit at Siri Fort Auditorium by Padma Shri Shankar Mahadevan, Padma Shri Dr. Resul Pookutty, Sham Kaushal, Dr. (Hon.) Mohit Soni, Dr. (Hon.) Amit Behl, Padma Vibhushan Usha Uthup, and legendary filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, a powerful message echoed through the auditorium — and into the hearts of every aspiring student present. 'This is the moment for India's young creators,' said Shri Shankar Mahadevan. 'It is time to turn your passion into a profession. And the Indian Institute of Creative Skills is the bridge that makes this possible.' That heartfelt call to action set the tone for Made for Media, a national creative conclave hosted by the Indian Institute of Creative Skills (IICS) — India's first industry-led creative incubator — supported by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, NSDC Academy, and the Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC). The event brought together India's creative legends, educators, and visionaries in a grand celebration of talent, mentorship, and structured skilling — transforming Siri Fort into a temple of creative ambition. The day opened with divine resonance — Usha Uthup's stirring Ganesh Vandana, followed by Shankar Mahadevan's soulful Saraswati Vandana. A pulsating performance by Kamli Entertainment's Bollywood Originals, Pratap & Harish, Poshak Dua (Mind Reader), Manish (Ventriloquist), Sangeet Haldipur, Anusha Mani, and the Illuminati Group electrified the atmosphere, drawing standing ovations. Anchoring the event with energy and elegance were Aparshakti Khurana and Vandana Vadhera, seamlessly guiding the audience through a day of inspiration, insight, and imagination. Adding a strong national voice to the day's proceedings was Mr. Tarun Chugh, National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who lauded the initiative as a transformative platform for India's youth. 'India is stepping into a new era — one where our culture, creativity, and stories will define our identity globally. The Indian Institute of Creative Skills is not just an academic platform — it is a nation-building initiative. Skilling our youth in the creative economy is a vital pillar of a self-reliant India (Aatmanirbhar Bharat). I extend my full support and congratulations to the entire team behind this mission,' Mr. Chugh said. But beyond the glamour, the event carried substance. It was a moment of reckoning — where India's creative leaders passed the torch to the next generation. From Rahul Rawail to Neeta Lulla, RS Prasanna, Kiran Joneja Sippy, Wiz Sabbas Joseph, Priyanka Sinha Jha, E. Suresh, Vaibhav Kumaresh, Shibashish Sarkar, Roshni Sehgal, Barnali Ray Shukla, Pooja Arora, Ashish Behl, Anusha Srinivasan Iyer, Anuradha Tiwari, Sabbas Joseph, Sushma Gaikwad, Ketki Pandit, Rashmi Menon, Anand Jha, Lalita Goenka, Ashish Kulkarni, Sanjay Khimsara and many others — the mentors came together to echo a single truth: 'Use our journeys as your shortcut. Don't reinvent the wheel. Learn from our mistakes. Build on our knowledge. And go further than we ever could.' — Dr. Resul Pookutty "The Indian Institute of Creative Skills is a visionary step towards making India the global hub for creative excellence. By combining industry insights with hands-on training, IICS is not just skilling talent — it's shaping the future of India's creative economy." – Arbaz Khan 'This is not just a campus. Indian Institute of Creative Skills is a national movement to bring dignity and sustainability to creative careers.' — Dr. Mohit Soni 'We must break the myth that talent is enough. Skilling is the spine of performance.' — Dr. Amit Behl 'Mark my words — IICS will soon be a global magnet for creative education.' — Sham Kaushal Built to answer the aspirations of India's Gen Z creators, IICS aims to train over 1,000 students annually across 10 cities, offering programs in filmmaking, animation, design, content creation, performance, sound, editing, and more — all mentored by industry experts. The conclave also marked the launch of a national Value Partnership Program, inviting schools, entrepreneurs, and institutions to co-create IICS campuses across India with end-to-end support — from curriculum to mentor network — aligned with CSR and Skill India goals. For the hundreds of students who attended from across India, the day was more than a celebration. It was a moment of clarity — that the road to a creative career no longer has to be walked alone. The Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) also entered into the MoU with WACOM, ASIFA India, and GIG Media to promote industry-led training and foster innovation in animation, digital design, and creative media. As the curtains closed, a new stage opened — for thousands of journeys to begin. For Admissions, Collaborations, and Partnerships: Visit: Email: admissions@ / partnerships@ Contact: Indian Institute of Creative Skills at 9594949959 (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- The Hindu
Shankar Mahadevan Academy turns 15
At a press meet at the South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies Centre (SAIACS) in Bengaluru, the air buzzed with more than just media chatter. It carried echoes of swaras, stories, and something deeply personal. 'We never knew this day would come so fast,' said Shankar Mahadevan, eyes crinkling with joy, reflecting on the 15-year journey of the Shankar Mahadevan Academy (SMA) — a dream that started with 15 students, most of them his nieces and nephews, and is today a global musical movement spanning 94 countries. 'It felt like a reunion of purpose,' said the Palakkad-based singer and composer. The Shankar Mahadevan Academy, founded in 2011 by Shankar and technology entrepreneur Sridhar Ranganathan, was a pioneer of sorts, attempting to do something unique at the time: offering online music education. 'People laughed. Music? Online? Will it even work?' Shankar recalled. It did not just work, it soared. Today, over 50,000 students have learned through the academy's unique digital platform, with more than half a million live classes taught. Numbers tell only part of the story. To celebrate its 15th year, the academy is launching courses that go far beyond traditional syllabi, including Garbh Sangeet, a course for expecting mothers that uses classical ragas to create emotional and spiritual connections before birth. 'Inside the academy, we call it 'minus one to infinity, '' smiled Ranganathan. The poetic phrase captures a powerful belief — that music is not just for learning or performing, but for living, healing, and bonding. Another offering, the Playback Singing Series, is equally ambitious — a rigorous, multi-year training program that fuses classical fundamentals with film music, preparing aspirants for the nuanced world of playback singing. Over the years, SMA has expanded into other avenues, including Sangam, a student-teacher music festival, and Prayag, an elite stage for dedicated learners. 'These are not just students. They are sadhakas,' said Shankar. 'This is not just education — it's an emotional legacy.' From children barely old enough to walk, to 70-year-olds who have never sung before, SMA has bridged generations. 'When I see a grandfather in Toronto learning alongside his granddaughter in Bengaluru… It's magical,' Mahadevan shared. The academy has also given back, launching initiatives including SMA Nirvana — live musical performances streamed to patients in hospitals and hospices, SMA Muskara, a pension program for aged or injured musicians, and Joyful Choir, an inclusive initiative for children on the autism spectrum. Their nonprofit wing has helped bring music education to children in Dharavi, Goa, and now, through their newest initiative — Reach Out India — to students in remote villages via internet-powered classrooms. 'One teacher in Ahmedabad is teaching kids in Kumbakonam — and they all performed for me,' said Shankar , admitting that the journey has given him a deeper sense of fulfilment. 'I've always known music entertains. But through this academy, I learnt that music can transform.'
