May 03, 2025 : On the third day of WAVES 2025, a special session titled ‘Spotify House: Evolution of Folk Music in India’ brought together some of the most celebrated voices in Indian folk and contemporary music to reflect on the enduring relevance and transformative power of folk traditions.
Held as part of the WAVES Culturals and Concerts, the session was moderated by renowned host Roshan Abbas and featured a distinguished panel including CBFC Chairperson and lyricist Prasoon Joshi, acclaimed folk singer Malini Awasthi, composer Nandesh Umap, celebrated singer-composer Papon, and veteran performer Ila Arun.
The discussion centered around how folk music in India continues to evolve as a living, breathing tradition rather than a relic of the past. The panellists emphasized that folk is a collective expression of identity, rooted in emotion and community, and transmitted across generations.
Describing the essence of folk music, Prasoon Joshi said, “When you seek yourself, you write poetry. When you subsume yourself, you write folk.” He called folk music a “tactile feel of life” and a powerful medium of shared human experience.
Composer Nandesh Umap referred to folk as “an open university,” underscoring its inclusive and democratic character. The panel commended efforts by platforms like Spotify and events like WAVES for pushing folk into mainstream cultural conversations.
Papon shared a personal anecdote about performing Assamese folk in Serbia and receiving a standing ovation. He highlighted how authentic Indian folk music resonates globally when presented with honesty and heart.
Both Ila Arun and Malini Awasthi echoed similar sentiments, celebrating folk’s deep connection with everyday life and its emotional undercurrents.
The session was part of the larger WAVES 2025 event inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 1. The four-day summit, continuing until May 4, has brought together over 10,000 delegates, 1,000 content creators, 300+ companies, and more than 350 startups from over 90 countries, making it one of India’s largest creative and cultural conclaves.