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Hans India
5 hours ago
- Hans India
Kailash Kher champions folk and independent music as India rediscovers its cultural soul
Renowned singer and Padma Shri awardee Kailash Kher is witnessing a powerful shift in India's music landscape—and he's all for it. In a recent interaction, the 'Saiyyan' hitmaker spoke passionately about how independent and folk music are gaining long-overdue recognition, breaking free from the shadows of Bollywood. Kher emphasized that he prefers to talk about music as a holistic art form rather than segmenting it into film and non-film categories. 'I don't really talk in terms of 'Bollywood' music. I speak of music as a whole,' he said. According to him, platforms dedicated to nurturing independent voices have played a crucial role in uplifting folk artists such as the Manganiyars and Ghumantu tribes—musicians who were once limited to local performances but are now receiving national attention and stage presence. As regional language politics dominate some public discourse, Kher urged audiences to refocus on India's cultural richness and artistic roots. 'Today, we're talking about art—education through art, evolution through art, cultural literacy through art. Learn the art of true living. Compare our lifestyle with that of the West, and you'll see the difference,' he noted. Through his initiative, KKALA (Kailash Kher Academy for Learning Art), Kher hopes to redefine how music and culture are taught and experienced. 'Most music schools teach songs and ragas but rarely address personality, listening ability, or understanding of lyrics. KKALA is about discovering who you are. It's about shaping individuals through art,' he explained. He also highlighted the contrast in cultural appreciation between India and the West. 'In the West, entire celebrity families buy tickets and attend musical events. That kind of cultural respect needs to grow here,' Kher added. KKALA is not just a music school—it is a space where students are encouraged to find their true calling. 'Sometimes someone joins to learn music, but we discover they have a great sense of storytelling, or a natural eye for the camera. We guide them accordingly. We help carve the uncut diamonds,' he said. For Kailash Kher, music is more than entertainment—it's a means to cultivate identity, culture, and purpose. His mission now is to make sure that India's vast, vibrant, and often overlooked folk traditions are not only preserved but celebrated on the grandest stages.
Fashion Value Chain
27-06-2025
- Fashion Value Chain
Deepak Pareek Wins ‘Best Podcast – Society and Culture' Award at HT Podmasters Awards 2025 for his Podcast – ‘The Chill Hour'
Deepak Pareek, storyteller, media entrepreneur, and the voice behind the much-loved podcast 'The Chill Hour,' has been awarded 'Best Podcast – Society and Culture' at HT Podmasters Awards 2025, India's premier podcasting conclave and awards, dedicated to celebrating the best voices in the industry. This award has added another feather in the cap in Deepak Pareek's heartwarming podcast journey and has further strengthened national presence and recognition which marks a spectacular moment in Deepak Pareek's journey as a content creator dedicated to raw, candid, unfiltered conversations. Deepak Pareek wins Best Podcast – Society and Culture Award at HT Podmasters Awards 2025 for his Podcast – 'The Chill Hour' Created and hosted by Deepak Pareek, 'The Chill Hour' podcast brings together voices across entertainment, entrepreneurship, wellness, and culture for raw, reflective conversations. 'The Chill Hour' podcast has completed 108 episodes and is available on all major audio and video platforms. From producing compelling conversations to building a thriving community of over half a million followers, Deepak Pareek's work continues to bridge storytelling with purpose. With this award, The Chill Hour enters an exciting new chapter, one that promises deeper dialogues, wider reach, and a growing impact on Indias cultural conversation. With the Indian podcasting industry witnessing rapid growth, Podmasters 2025 recognized excellence, fostered industry collaboration and provided a platform for learning and networking. The event had two parts – a conclave and a star-studded awards night. Dynamic forums featuring panel discussions, masterclasses and fireside chats with India's leading podcasters, media professionals, industry experts and honouring outstanding achievements in podcasting across multiple categories happened during the day followed by a gala awards ceremony recognizing creators who have pushed the boundaries of storytelling and audio innovation. Launched with a simple yet powerful vision to create a space for real talk, vulnerability, and personal growth, The Chill Hour Podcast has now become a staple in India's growing podcasting scene. Over the course of more than 100 episodes, Deepak Pareek has hosted a wide range of voices from across industries like bollywood actors, neuroscientists, psychologists, celebrity divorce lawyers, dating coaches, spiritual gurus, etc. Some of the prominent names being Kailash Kher, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Gajraj Rao, Raghav Juyal, cultural icons like Shalini Passi and rising stars from the worlds of sport, comedy, entrepreneurship, and art. His interviews dive deep into topics including mental health, self-improvement, relationships, creator economy, true crime, and modern-day identity that have the power to drive change and create an impact. Reacting to the win, Deepak Pareek said, 'Seriously, this award means so much to me! Its not just about the recognition; its about celebrating real talk and powerful stories. The Chill Hour started as my little passion project, just a quiet spot for genuine chats in a super noisy world. Seeing it grow and touch so many people, and now getting this amazing shout-out, feels totally wild and also really humbling. This ones for all the incredible guests who shared their stories, and every single listener who made time for these conversations. Heres to bringing more such stories to the world, one episode at a time!' Hosted by HT Smartcast and Fever Live, the awards were more than just a celebration. With over 200 nominees across 30+ categories, the event was buzzing with creators, storytellers, celebs and fans of all things spoken and streamed. Whether it was true crime or mental wellness, comedy banter or deep dives into desi culture, every genre found its moment in the spotlight and its voice. At its heart, Podmasters was more than glitz- it was a love letter to creators who've turned voice into an art form and it was clear – podcasts are no longer a niche. They're now pop culture staples, and India's audio icons have officially gone prime-time. Move over influencers- the podcasters are here and they've got something to say (loudly and in Dolby surround). Mumbai's audio scene hit maximum volume as the Podmasters Awards 2025 turned up the dial on glam, grit, and gorgeous gowns. What was once a quiet corner of the internet has officially evolved into a red-carpet-worthy cultural movement. And leading the charge were the ever-radiant Debina Bonnerjee, Gauahar Khan, Rhea Chakraborty, Prajakta Koli, Aahana Kumra, Karishma Tanna, and Yamini Malhotra, proving that podcasts might be audio-only, but the style is all visual drama.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Govt pushes for rural tourism in 35 U.P. border villages
The state tourism department has announced the development of 35 villages in seven border districts of Uttar Pradesh as 'tourist villages'. The initiative aims to generate employment and preserve local culture, as per a press note. The selected villages in Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar, Shravasti, Balrampur, Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Pilibhit will be transformed into hubs of cultural tourism. Each village will host ten homestay units, giving tourists a chance to live among the locals and experience daily village life. Some of the villages identified for development are Dulhasumali, Bajha, Khunuwan, Kotia, and Gharuar in Siddharthnagar; Imlia Kodar, Chandanpur, Narihwa, Pahadapur, and Belbhariya in Balrampur; and Bankati Chidiya, Purab Majra Himmantnagar, Pipraula, Puraena, and Singhia in Lakhimpur Kheri, the note added. Local youth will be trained as storytellers to narrate village histories, legends, and folklore to visitors in an engaging manner. Women from self-help groups will receive culinary training to prepare and serve traditional dishes, giving guests a true taste of village life. Moreover, products made by the indigenous Tharu community will be promoted in local markets and online, providing artisans with new economic opportunities. 'This is not just a tourism project; it is a holistic development model,' said tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh. 'We are combining tourism with employment, women's empowerment, and heritage conservation. Through this initiative, our border villages will not only attract tourists but also gain a renewed sense of identity and self-reliance.' Officials confirmed that work on the project will begin soon, with infrastructure upgrades, training modules, and community engagement being prioritized in the initial phase.
