'Hum Ko Man Ki' and 'Bole Re Papi Hara' is still sung in many programmes even today: Singer Vani Jairam

Recently veteran playback singer Vani Jairam was bestowed with the coveted MS Subbalakshmi award, by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Palniswamy, for her outstanding and invaluable contribution to film music. Recipient of three national awards for her renditions in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement award, it is amazing, that at the age 76, Vani has managed to maintain the tonal and quality of melody in her commendable voice.

“Each of us needs to take responsibility for making this world a better place”: Pooja Bedi

Pooja Bedi, actress and motivational speaker launched NGO Habitat for Humanity India’s Build Yourself, Build India initiative with a powerful session on driving personal transformation and self-development. Build Yourself, Build India is a series of workshop organised by Habitat for Humanity India to help corporate professionals and HR leaders energise themselves by focusing on their body, mind and soul amidst a stressful environment.

“Sai Baba’s contribution to mankind will always be remembered” – Anup Jalota

Known for his soul-stirring devotional music, Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota, also mesmerises the audience the world over with ghazals and other forms of music.

“Besides physical gigs, streaming them is the future”. Druv Kent

Druv Kent, is a singer-songwriter originally from Kolkata, who left a banking career to follow his passion for music and who is now settled in Singapre. He is the first Asia-based musician to have his music backed for two decades by the UK's BBC Radio. With his organic, earthy and lyrically rich song, the financer-turned-musician seeks meaning in a shifting world with its folk-pop sounds blended with the musical fuel of his Indian heritage.

Breakfast with Chai and Toast

They describe themselves as a “band from the land of coconuts”. So what kind of music would you expect then? The four piece Kochi based band with Ashwin Gopakumar on vocals and guitar, Palee Francis on keys, Sailesh G Pai on drums and Achyuth Jaigopal on guitar and banjo, bring on a unique brand of infectious happy music, which transcends age, genre, and even language. With simple melodies, the band takes inspiration from the lighter side of life to create music that is heartwarming, happy and smile-worthy.

“Visangati means quite a few things all at the same time” Raaga Pianist Utsav Lal

Indian pianist/composer Utsav Lal, often known as the ‘Raga Pianist’ is recognised as one of the most talented musicians of his generation. Choosing to perform ragas on the piano, an instrument that has traditionally been considered unsuitable for Indian Classical Music, Utsav’s creative musical genius, unfailing clarity of technique and rhythmic virtuosity has led him to an impressive career performing at leading global venues like Carnegie Hall-NYC, Southbank Centre-London, The Kennedy Centre-DC.

My father always told me there are no shortcuts to success” - Khatija Rahman

Khatija Rahman daughter of A R Rahman recently released a brilliant composition Farishton, her debut single, a song with a message of freedom and empowerment. In an email interview late last year, Khatija shares with Verus Ferreira the making of the song and her relationship with her illustrious father.

Hip Hop is about authenticity: Kr$na

2020 marked the fourth year of the biggest hip-hop festival Breezer Vivid Shuffle. They also introduced a league format that will include elements of hip-hop across music, art and dance. Each element will have stalwart ambassadors aka league ambassadors like Kr$na the rapper who also starred in Gully Boy, Shantanu Maheshwari the dancer-cum-actor, JordIndian the duo that is known for their Smoke Sheesha Play Fifa videos and Piyush and Shazia who have choreographed Bollywood songs including Genda Phool and Tere Naal Nachna.

Playing music live is what I enjoy most – Uday Benegal

As vocalist, guitarist and front – man of Indie pioneers Indus Creed (formerly Rock Machine), Uday Benegal has completed over 35 years in the Indian music scene. He is one of the true rock renegades of the music industry. Benegal alongwith his bandmates have contributed immensely to the rock scene in India, with the band’s songs continuing to delight the old and the new rock music lovers.

The world needs Love and a lot of healing: Rudy Wallang of Soulmate

India’s most loved blues band Soulmate, released an album ‘Give Love’ during lockdown and by the sound of it, you bet it’s another chartbuster that is loved by all their fans all across the world. For guitarist – vocalist Rudy Wallang and powerhouse vocalist Tipriti Kharbangar, it was nothing really different from the usual, except of course they we didn’t play a real ‘Live’ gig to support the album release and the absence of fans around.