Latest news with #UdayShankar
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Chowrangee's dance, music show at Taramati Baradari on July 26
Chowrangee, Hyderabad's vibrant new-age platform for arts and culture, is presenting an evening of evocative dance, music, and monsoon magic – the 'Monsoon Dreams - led by Tanusree Shankar and her dance company at Taramati Baradari on July 26, at 7 p.m. Monsoon Dreams is a spellbinding production that weaves classical Indian aesthetics with contemporary flair. Tanusree Shankar is one of India's foremost dancers and choreographers, carrying forward the globally admired legacy of the Uday Shankar style of dance.
Hans India
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Tanusree Shankar to light up Hyderabad stage with ‘Monsoon Dreams'
Hyderabadis set to witness an evening of expressive dance and cultural splendour as legendary dancer-choreographer Tanusree Shankar brings her celebrated production, Monsoon Dreams, to the city. Presented by Chowrangee, a growing platform for the arts in Hyderabad, the performance will take place on July 26, 2025 at the historic Taramati Baradari. Monsoon Dreams is more than just a dance show—it's a poetic tribute to the season of renewal. Through evocative choreography and visual storytelling, the production captures the rhythms of the monsoon, the emotions it stirs, and the eternal cycle of longing, loss, and hope. Drawing from Indian classical traditions and infused with contemporary flair, the performance promises an immersive sensory experience for audiences. At the heart of the evening is Tanusree Shankar, an icon of contemporary Indian dance and the artistic director of the Tanusree Shankar Dance Company. A pioneer in her field, she carries forward the Uday Shankar legacy, blending Indian classical and folk dance with elements of Western movement. Her company has performed in over 40 countries, earning acclaim for productions that are as intellectually rich as they are visually stunning. Recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Woman of Excellence Award by FICCI, Tanusree Shankar's work bridges cultures and generations. Monsoon Dreams, like much of her repertoire, explores the universal human spirit through dance—rooted in heritage, yet constantly evolving. The evening is hosted by Chowrangee, a Hyderabad-based initiative by the Bengal and Beyond Foundation, committed to fostering cross-cultural dialogue through theatre, music, dance, and visual arts. Inspired by Bengal's cultural ethos, Chowrangee creates inclusive spaces for meaningful artistic experiences, aiming to bridge India's diverse communities through creativity. With Monsoon Dreams, Chowrangee continues its mission to offer high-calibre performances that engage, inspire, and bring together audiences through shared artistic expression.
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
NIE-IT employees allege denial of entry into campus; management says institution is closed
Several employees of NIE Institute of Technology (NIE-IT) gathered outside the campus at Koorgalli in Mysuru on Friday, alleging denial of entry. However, the management claimed that the institution had been closed from this year. The protesting employees said around 40 teaching and 55 non-teaching staff members had been serving in various positions in NIE-IT for several years since the institution was established in 2008. The teaching and non-teaching employees of NIE-IT were deputed to NIE after the Board of Management initiated a process of merger of NIE-IT and NIE in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) in 2022. The employees, who claimed they discharged their responsibilities at NIE from 2022 to 2025, initiated a legal battle questioning the merger process when the NIE Board of Management took several actions 'illegally'. The protesting employees complained that the management failed to consider their combined seniority in both institutions. Complaining that the management had denied their entry into the campus since Thursday, the employees said the developments were 'deeply concerning', affecting their 'job security and future'. Management clarifies Meanwhile, the honorary-secretary of NIE managing committee Uday Shankar, in a statement, said a decision had been taken to close down NIE-IT, which comes under a foundation. All approvals have been taken from AICTE (part of UGC), Visvesvaraya Technological University and the State government for progressive closure, he said, adding that the college had been closed this year as per norms. 'Simultaneously, as per guidelines of statutory bodies, The National Institute of Engineering (NIE), Manandavadi Road, Mysuru, had taken the physical Infrastructure of the NIE-IT on lease, and is expanding the educational services on the north campus,' the statement said. 'The employees of NIE-IT were offered a voluntary Separation Scheme with a substantial financial package, and also suggested that they apply for jobs and take part in the selection process. Those who have not taken voluntary Separation Scheme had been relieved from the job with financial benefit,' Mr. Shankar said, while pointing out that the case was pending in the High Court.
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Business Standard
10-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Over 500k cable TV jobs lost in India as OTT eats into market: Report
The cable television industry in India experienced a sharp contraction over the past seven years, with an estimated 577,000 jobs lost between 2018 and 2025. The downturn coincides with a steady decline in subscriber numbers, driven by changing consumer habits and intensified digital disruption. These insights were released by the State of Cable TV Distribution in India report on Monday, published jointly by the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) and EY India. According to the report, pay-TV households fell from 151 million in 2018 to 111 million in 2024, with projections suggesting this number could decline to between 71 million and 81 million by 2030. This 40 million drop in subscriptions was attributed to rising channel prices, increased competition from OTT platforms, and the growing popularity of free-to-air options such as the government-backed DD Free Dish. Revenue, Ebitda fall as cable TV operators shut shop Financially, the sector has also struggled. The combined revenue of four major direct-to-home (DTH) operators and ten leading multi-system operators (MSOs) fell to ₹21,500 crore in FY24 from ₹25,700 crore in FY19, a decline of more than 16 per cent. Over the same period, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) dropped 29 per cent to ₹3,100 crore from ₹4,400 crore. The job losses have hit local cable operators (LCOs) especially hard. Based on responses from over 28,000 LCOs across 34 states and Union Territories, the State of Cable TV Distribution in India report found that their workforce has shrunk by 31 per cent, resulting in nearly 38,000 job losses. On a national level, the number of LCO-related jobs lost is estimated to be between 114,000 and 195,000. Combined with the closure of approximately 900 MSOs and 72,000 LCOs since 2018, the cumulative job loss exceeds 577,000. Decline in pay-TV households in India Sector is resilient but need policy support Despite these challenges, industry leaders are cautiously optimistic. Executives such as Uday Shankar (JioStar), Punit Goenka (Zee Entertainment), and Gaurav Banerjee (Sony Pictures Networks India) argue that linear television continues to be resilient. They cite the 85 to 90 million households still paying for TV services as a sign of untapped potential, especially among DD Free Dish users and homes in media-dark regions. Ashish Pherwani, partner at EY India, said nearly 100 million homes in India still do not have cable or satellite TV, a gap that could be bridged with low-cost plans and affordable set-top boxes. But in many regions, especially near borders, affordability remains a hurdle. 'This is the first report to truly reflect the realities on the ground,' he said, urging policymakers to treat it as a basis for targeted intervention. Reforming the industry: Pricing, set-top boxes and more To address the crisis, the report recommends reforms, including: Enabling a level playing field across all content distribution platforms — cable TV, DTH, HITS, and IPTV. Allowing regional pay-TV pricing based on local affordability. Reactivating over 20 million dormant set-top boxes. Restricting free or delayed broadcast of pay-TV content on alternative platforms. Forming a unified front to curb piracy, which costs the media sector over ₹20,000 crore annually. Cable TV sector: Shrinking base, rising costs At the ground level, the picture remains stark. Some 93 per cent of LCOs reported a decline in subscribers since 2018, with nearly half noting a drop in monthly income. Over a third said they had lost more than 40 per cent of their subscriber base. LCOs highlighted several operational hurdles, including their inability to raise customer fees amid rising input costs. The growing migration of viewers to OTT services, DD Free Dish, and smart TVs, along with concerns over the declining quality of television content, has further strained their viability. Additionally, fewer households are now subscribing to multiple TV connections. As SN Sharma, CEO of DEN Networks and AIDCF President, said, the collapse of small cable operations isn't just a business issue; it has wiped out incomes for thousands of families who depended on them. 'It's not just statistics — these are stories of lost livelihoods and disrupted entrepreneurship,' he said, urging regulators and broadcasters to act before the ecosystem erodes further.
Economic Times
09-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Sharp decline in pay-TV subscriptions leads to 577,000 job losses: Study
Mumbai: India's cable television industry has undergone a significant contraction over the past seven years, with an estimated 577,000 cumulative job losses between 2018 and 2025, driven largely by a sharp decline in pay-TV subscribers, according to a report released on Monday. Pay-TV subscriber base dropped from 151 million in 2018 to 111 million in 2024 and is expected to fall further to between 71-81 million by 2030, said the report, 'State of Cable TV Distribution in India', jointly prepared by the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) and EY India. It attributed the decline to rising channel costs, increased competition from over-the-top (OTT) platforms, and the growing popularity of free, unregulated services such as DD Free revenues of four direct-to-home (DTH) players and ten major cable TV providers, or multi-system operators (MSOs), have declined by more than 16% since 2018, while their margins have reduced by 29%, the report FY19, their combined revenue stood at ₹25,700 crore, which dropped to ₹21,500 crore in FY24. Combined Ebitda fell to ₹3,100 crore in FY24 from ₹4,400 crore in FY19. The study drew inputs from 28,181 local cable operators (LCOs) across 34 states and union LCO workforce has been severely affected, with surveyed operators reporting a 31% drop in employment, representing a loss of 37,835 jobs. When extrapolated to the national level, this translates into job losses ranging from 114,000 to 195,000 across various operational addition, closure of approximately 900 MSOs and 72,000 LCOs since 2018 has contributed to the overall job loss figure of 577,000, the report these challenges, industry leaders remain cautiously vice-chairman Uday Shankar, Zee Entertainment chief executive officer Punit Goenka, and Sony Pictures Networks India CEO Gaurav Banerjee have, in recent times, reiterated their belief in the resilience and growth potential of linear have noted that 85-90 million Indian households still pay for television subscriptions, indicating scope for expansion by converting DD Free Dish viewers into paying customers and reaching media-dark regions.'Despite the challenges, the industry still has room to grow, provided corrective steps are taken by the broadcasters, distributors and policymakers,' said Ashish Pherwani, partner and media & entertainment leader at EY highlighted the opportunity to bring an estimated 100 million cable-dark homes into the fold through affordable subscription plans, as well as lower-cost televisions and set-top boxes (STBs). He also advocated government support in the form of hardware subsidies and free STB distribution, particularly in sensitive and border ensure a level playing field, the report called for regulatory parity across all content distribution platforms, including cable TV, DTH, headend-in-the-sky (HITS), and internet protocol television (IPTV).It also recommended allowing differential pricing for pay-TV services based on regional affordability and called for reactivation of more than 20 million inactive STBs — referring to subscribers who have not renewed their report also recommended restricting the free or delayed broadcast of pay-TV content on other platforms and emphasised the need for a unified industry response to tackle is estimated to cost the media and entertainment sector over ₹20,000 crore the grassroots level, the findings present a concerning picture. Since 2018, 93% of LCOs — that serve as the key link between MSOs and end customers — have reported a decline in their subscriber half said their monthly income has fallen, while more than one-third have experienced subscriber losses exceeding 40%.Operators cited their inability to raise customer tariffs in line with rising channel costs as a significant challenge. Other issues include migration of viewers to DD Free Dish, OTT platforms, and connected TVs; a perceived decline in content quality on linear television compared to OTT offerings; and a reduction in second television set connections within households.
