Latest news with #Divine
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
India's Hip-Hop Renaissance: From streets to stadia with Travis Scott & Beyond
With Travis Scott set to perform two already sold-out shows in Delhi-NCR this October, it's not just witnessing a major international debut, we are witnessing hip-hop in India step into its most visible, powerful era yet. read more The energy that once lived in street corners is now being amplified on the country's biggest live stages. There is a seismic cultural shift in India's music landscape - one that's echoing across youth culture, fashion, streaming platforms and global touring circuits. At the heart of this transformation? Hip-hop. With global rap superstar Travis Scott set to debut in India with two sold-out shows in Delhi this October, the country's hip-hop narrative is hitting an undeniable inflection point. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What began in cyphers and street corners is now spilling into stadiums. From Divine, Raftaar, Kr$na, Hanumankind, Talwiinder, The Karan Kanchan Experience, Prabh Deep and AP Dhillon taking over the stage at Lollapalooza India, to artists like Yung Raja lighting up Nykaaland, with King opening at the Feeding India concert in 2022 produced by BookMyShow Live, Badshah performing at YouTube FanFest 2023, India has quietly built a vibrant, raw and relevant hip-hop ecosystem, and now, the world is taking note. On October 18th and 19th, 2025, Travis Scott will perform two back-to-back sold-out shows at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium marking not just his India debut, but a cultural milestone for hip-hop fans across the country. What was once 'underground' is now a movement that's shaping pop culture at large. Music has always been a countercultural force and hip-hop has led that charge. In India, it's more than a sound, it's a movement where marginalised communities speak for themselves and through their words, for an entire generation. India's Hip-Hop Renaissance: From streets to stadia with Travis Scott & Beyond From India to the world; a new era for hip-hop With global giants like Travis Scott now entering the Indian touring circuit, the narrative is shifting. India is no longer a fringe market - it's fast becoming a strategic stop for international hip-hop tours, just like Europe or Southeast Asia. What's more, Indian artists are increasingly collaborating across borders, bringing their unique regional sounds and lyrical identities to the global stage. How Hip-hop is no longer niche, what the data says It's now amongst the Top 4 streamed genres in India on Spotify, with 70% of its fans being youth one of the highest age skews for any genre globally. India also ranks 8th globally in hip-hop listenership. BookMyShow has already sold more hip-hop tickets in 2025 (Jan–May) than it did in all of 2024. Artists like Hanumankind and Diljit Dosanjh who performed at BookMyShow Live shows, went on to perform at global festivals like Coachella. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Audiences from metros and non-metros alike are tuning in top hip-hop ticket buyers in 2024 included those from cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Shillong, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Raipur, Thrissur and Nashik. It's a truly geography-agnostic genre, speaking to identity, authenticity and rebellion - themes that resonate with Indian youth today. Reasons for the popularity of hip-hop Hip-hop shows as 'therapeutic', 'emotionally liberating' and 'a form of collective release'. They're drawn to the lyrical honesty, genre fluidity and the emotional range hip-hop offers: from rage to loneliness to joy. The way artists rhyme and construct their lyrics resonates with me deeply. They have a unique ability to evoke a wide range of emotions—from rage to loneliness—through their words and music." About Rap cyphers Naman Pugalia, Chief Business Officer – Live Events, BookMyShow explains that Cyphers are the heartbeat of hip-hop. They're less about fame and more about skill, respect and the raw joy of wordplay. In a cypher, there's no autotune, no elaborate production, just bars, beats and authenticity. It's where talent is tested and sharpened. Even today, cyphers remain the truest form of expression in hip-hop culture, where emerging voices earn their stripes and veterans remind everyone why they still matter. It's hip-hop in its most democratic form where anyone can step in, but only a few can hold the floor, and that's the beauty of it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD From underground roots to become mainstream It's not so much a shift as it is a slow takeover. Naman says, 'This evolution has been a steady rise. Audiences started craving honesty in music and hip-hop delivered raw, unfiltered and unapologetically.' He further explains, 'Add to that the internet penetration and audio streaming across the world and you have a generation that grew up on Kendrick, Nas, Divine and Prabh Deep where suddenly, the underground became the blueprint. Over time, as social consciousness shifted and the world became more open to diverse narratives, hip-hop found its place not just on playlists, but in advertising, cinema and global discourse. Artists stopped waiting for validation from traditional gatekeepers and instead built their own communities online.'
Cision Canada
4 days ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
Wendy Luk Launches Soul Mission Alignment Program to Guide Spiritually Minded Professionals Into Their Higher Calling
An eight-week spiritual purpose coaching program that blends quantum healing, intuitive guidance, soul activations for Lightworkers, Starseeds, and mission-driven professionals ready to align with their Divine path VANCOUVER, BC, July 18, 2025 /CNW/ -- Renowned Intuitive Quantum Healer and Soul Mission Coach Wendy Luk is proud to announce the official launch of her Soul Mission Alignment Program, an eight-week transformational experience premiering on September 9, 2025. The program is designed for Lightworkers, Starseeds, spiritually minded and purpose-driven professionals seeking clarity, healing, and purpose alignment to step fully into their soul-led mission. Developed through Wendy's personal healing journey and years of work with spiritually conscious clients, the Soul Mission Alignment Program offers a unique combination of quantum healing, soul activations, and structured spiritual coaching. The program's step-by-step framework supports participants in shedding outdated identities, releasing unconscious limitations, and activating their highest potential. "This program is designed for those who feel stuck, disconnected, or unfulfilled and are seeking clarity and alignment with their higher calling," said Wendy Luk. "Through this journey, participants will not only heal on a soul level but also gain the tools and confidence to live a life of their true aspirations and create a positive impact in the world." Each week of the program focuses on a specific energetic or spiritual layer of healing, culminating in the creation of a personalized Soul Mission Statement. Participants will walk away with a crystal-clear purpose, access to their Divine gifts, and a higher vibrational path forward rooted in authenticity, confidence, and service. The spiritual self-development sector has experienced significant growth, with the Global Wellness Institute reporting a 6.5% annual increase in demand for this sector. Programs like Soul Mission Alignment meet a growing need for one's soul mission and activating Divine Purpose in both personal and professional life. Enrollment is now open, with limited spots available to preserve the intimate, community-based program structure. Join the Soul Mission Alignment Program, register now at or
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Your Type by Tanya George: Marketing pun-o-one
Puns have long been a go-to technique for logos. How else to cram in layers of information within the tiny space they're given, and slyly convey what the brand is trying to say? They allow us to treat language not just as a tool, but as a playground. They give us permission to stretch, bend, and twist meaning in joyful ways. I love spotting these signs, which work overtime to create new meaning. Here are some of my favourites. Sometimes, the puns are clever, like the glasses forming the two words in Galaxy Optician. Does this optician's sign make you grin or groan? I love that someone took the time to position the glasses so cleverly across the two words that make up Galaxy Optician. Other times, puns fall flat, as with the scissors in Divine, that make it look like Dixine. Puns were the foundation of early writing systems. Ancient pictograms often stood in for sounds or meanings through association. In medieval Europe, rebus puzzles (images standing in for names or words) found their way onto pub signs, family crests, and coats of arms. These became essential tools for communication, especially in communities with low literacy. And today, rebus-like visual puns still thrive, helping us recognise and remember names even without reading the text. Take the sign for Maqbool Opticians, for instance. They've put the two adjacent Os in the name to excellent use. I can just imagine the designer having a great time not only shaping the Os into glasses but also sneaking in a lowercase 'a' among all the capital letters. It feels like a subtle, 'scientific' nod to the varying letterforms we read in an eye exam. The two adjacent Os in the name have been put to excellent use here. Visual puns like these are like a brain teaser for the eyes, requiring you to make fast connections between shape, meaning, and often language. It's linguistic multitasking, condensed into clever, compact forms. Continuing with the optician theme, here's another gem: Shirodkar. The unknown designer managed to sneak glasses into the logo not just once, but twice, and across two scripts. In English, the 'od' becomes a pair of specs, and again we see a playful use of upper and lower case letters in the design. In the Marathi version, the same shape becomes the letter 'Ka'. It's one design element doing double duty. That's the kind of ingenuity I find endlessly exciting. The designer managed to sneak glasses into this logo not just once, but twice, and across two scripts The appeal of a pun, be it verbal or visual, often lies in the unexpected. A sentence sets up one direction and then, BAM! a mini plot twist. Even when they're silly (and they often are), puns bring people in. They make someone laugh or groan, they spark reactions and conversation. I'm not sure why opticians love them, but they're not alone. Hair salons seem to be pun-lovers too. Consider Cut The Crap. There are quite a few Cut the Crap salons in Mumbai, and I always smile when I see the scissor handle doubling up as the letter 'C'. That's clever branding. And getting this right is an art. You can see a fumble in Divine Hair House. It makes you wonder if the scissors are forming the letter 'x' not the 'v' in Divine. This shoe shop snuck a stiletto into its signage. Why should opticians and salons have all the fun? I've spotted a shoe shop that sneaks a stiletto into its signage. It's built right into the letterforms, complete with a white sole for emphasis. A good pun shows that you're quick, not just with language, but with timing, structure, and tone. And even a 'bad' pun earns (my) respect for the attempt. That's another reason I love them: Puns are memorable. They stick. And in a road filled with signs, that's a powerful thing. From HT Brunch, July 12, 2025 Follow us on
Time of India
09-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Celebrating Divine Presence In Devotees' Hearts
There was once a Zen teacher who believed he was enlightened. When he met his Master, the Master gave him a koan, usually a paradoxical riddle that cannot be solved by logic alone. He said, "The statue has eyes, and the tears roll down silently." Hearing this, the teacher was shaken. What is this tear? It is the tear of devotion . A student comes to a guru with tears in his eyes. When he leaves, tears flow again, but this time the quality of tears has changed. Salty tears turn sweet. It is so beautiful to cry in divine love , in devotion. If one has cried even once in love; they know the taste of it, taste of devotion. And the entire creation rejoices in it, longs for it. Guru Purnima is a celebration of the blossoming of such faith in a seeker. People say it is the day of guru. But truly, it is the day of devotee. The devotee reflects on journey within, grace received, and how much he has grown on the path, with a deep sense of gratitude towards his master. A student seeks information and learning, and a disciple seeks transformation or enlightenment. But a devotee is not there even for wisdom. He rejoices in love. He has fallen deeply in love with the master, with Infinity, with God. He doesn't care whether he gets enlightened or not. But in every moment, being immersed in Divine love is enough for him. That is why devotion is so rare. Students are many, disciples are few, but devotees are very rare. Sariputra, one of Buddha's foremost disciples, attained enlightenment. Buddha asked him to go out into the world and carry on his work. But Sariputra wept uncontrollably. People asked him, "You are enlightened. Why are you crying so much?" He said, "Enlightenment could have waited. I miss the joy of being at the feet of my Master. That joy was greater than enlightenment." This is devotion, where even liberation pales in comparison to the sweetness of surrender. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remember Him Wait Till You See Him Now Daily Sport X Undo Even the Divine is moved by devotion. When Krishn was preparing to leave his body, with tears rolling down his eyes, he said to Uddhav, "Tell my devotees - only they can free me from their love and gratitude. I am not in heaven, nor in temples. I am where my devotees sing." To be God is not a big thing because everything is already Divine. Devotion flowering in someone's heart is rare, and that is a miracle. The Infinity longs for you as much as you long for Infinity. The Divine is just as anxious to be near you as you are to be near God. When devotion blossoms, everything becomes Divine. You start looking at the world through the eyes of the Beloved. What you see, what you speak, what you hear, it becomes imbued with divinity. When you talk, it is not you speaking; it is the Master, it is the Divine that speaks through you. This Guru Purnima is a good opportunity to celebrate the Divine presence in the heart of a devotee. For when devotion blossoms, the divine rushes to embrace you silently, sweetly, completely. Authored by: Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Sinar Daily
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Cakra Khan shelters 30 stray cats as therapy
KUALA LUMPUR - Beyond his reputation as one of Indonesia's most powerful voices, Cakra Khan leads a private life shaped by compassion and quiet devotion. Cakra, whose full name is Cakra Konta Paryaman, 33, is an avid animal lover and spends up to RM6,000 a month to care for over 30 stray cats he has been sheltering at his home in Jakarta for the past three years. The raspy-voiced singer said all the cats were rescued from the streets and have become part of his daily therapy. - Bernama photo The raspy-voiced singer said all the cats were rescued from the streets and have become part of his daily therapy. "Recently, I rescued a cat with a heart condition that requires constant oxygen. So, I bought an oxygen generator and gas supplies for it. "I make sure each cat receives weekly treatment. All of them have been sterilised and are free to roam around the house," he said at a press conference in conjunction with the Divine Concert - Cakra Khan, here recently. Cakra, who also employs a house helper to assist in caring for the cats, said his love for animals does not depend on their breed or appearance. "I don't care what type they are-as long as they're healthy, that's enough. All my cats are village cats," he said, adding that he hopes to open an animal shelter one day. He believes that every animal that comes into his home is a blessing to be shared. "I always try to do something, even if small, so I can feel useful. I've never been afraid of running out of money to care for them. I believe there will always be a way," said the singer, who also enjoys gardening as a form of self-therapy after long work days. Meanwhile, Cakra will be performing a more intimate-style concert in the Divine Concert - Cakra Khan at the Plenary Hall, KLCC on Aug 2, following a similar concert at The Star Theatre, Singapore on July 18. "In previous concerts, I performed in a more serious format with a full orchestra. This time, I want it to be freer and more playful. I arranged the songs, lighting, and stage myself so the audience can experience something more personal,' he said. He added that the concert will also introduce his second album, titled Divine, which was released last year-over a decade after launching his first album. "My first album came out in 2013. After that, I focused more on singles because the promotional strategy suited me better. But as a singer, I still want to leave behind something lasting, which is why this album means a lot to me. "In this album, I stepped out of my comfort zone and was given the freedom to explore different genres, including pop, ballads, and classical. Some songs are emotional, others are joyful,' said Cakra, who recorded the album in several locations including Bali and Bandung, Indonesia. The concert, organised by Shiraz Projects, will feature guest artistes such as Titi DJ, Ade Govinda, Marsha Milan Londoh, Faizal Lubis, Ernie Zakri, and vocal group Trio XL. "I love creating space for collaborations. For instance, I've never sung a duet with Ernie before, but I know she's extraordinary. I'm also obsessed with classical music, which is why I invited Trio XL-their voices are strong and technically refined. I believe in their vocal abilities and character,' he said. Tickets for the Kuala Lumpur concert are priced between RM255 and RM1,295 and can be purchased at while tickets for the Singapore concert are priced between SG$128 and SG$248 via - BERNAMA
