Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Symphony of India
Posted On:
11 MAR 2025 3:32PM by PIB Delhi
A Grand Musical Challenge at WAVES Summit
Introduction

The stage is set for an extraordinary musical journey as the Symphony of India Challenge, under the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), continues to showcase the finest musical talents from across the nation. With an overwhelming 212 musicians initially registering for the challenge, a rigorous selection process has already brought forward the top 80 exceptional classical and folk artists, who are now competing in the grand Gala Round.
The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in its first edition is a unique hub and spoke platform poised for the convergence of the entire Media and Entertainment (M&E) sector. The event is a premier global event that aims to bring the focus of the global M&E industry to India and connect it with the Indian M&E sector along with its talent.
The summit will take place from May 1-4, 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre & Jio World Gardens in Mumbai. With a focus on four key pillars—Broadcasting & Infotainment, AVGC-XR, Digital Media & Innovation, and Films-WAVES will bring together leaders, creators and technologists to showcase the future of India’s entertainment industry.
The Symphony of India Challenge falls under the first pillar Broadcasting and Infotainment. The event promises to be an exciting experience for the public, as they will be exposed to a variety of musical performances that span a wide range of genres, making it an event that truly celebrates the diverse tastes of music lovers.
Eligibility Criteria

To participate in the Symphony of India, participants had to meet the following eligibility criteria:
Submission Guidelines:
The following guidelines were adhered to by the candidates for their submissions:
- Audition Material:
- Each participant must submit a recorded performance that reflects their unique style, musical expertise, and ability to handle complex compositions. Vocalists must submit original compositions free from any copyright infringement.
- Performance Duration:
- Each musical piece should be maximum 2 minutes in length.
- Variety:
- Ensure submitted piece is distinct and showcases the performer’s versatility and range.
- Submission Format:
- Recordings must be submitted in Mp4 format.
- The recordings should adhere to a 48 kHz, 16-bit format.
Registration Process:
- Online Registrations: All registrations were accepted online, with the registration link available on the website.
- Audition Material Submission: Audition material was submitted through the same platform, following the above-mentioned guidelines.
Competition Rounds:
A rigorous online audition process shortlisted participants based on their submitted recordings. After selecting the best 40-50 musicians, the symphony was formed across four zones, and the competition progressed as a group.
- Semi-final and Final Rounds:
The best 8 symphony groups were selected for the semifinals, with 3 winners and 2 runners-up to be chosen.
In all 3 winners will be selected. Five top-tier winners will be selected.
The entire competition, including performances and results, will be broadcast as a 26-episode series on Doordarshan and its regional channels.
Participants who qualify for the regional showcases will perform at regional Kendra-level events, identifying the most promising performers.
The top-tier performers selected from the regional showcases will participate in the Grand Finale.
The Symphony of India Challenge aims to push the boundaries of creativity and music while fostering a sense of community, innovation, and growth. WAVES is set to be a leading platform for nurturing young talent and offering fresh musical experiences to audiences around the globe.
The challenge is being produced by Doordarshan in coordination with Mahavir Jain Films and Directed by the Veteran show Director Shruti Anindita Vermaa. Hosted by the prolific talent Gaurav Dubey, the challenge is Judged by Padmashri Soma Ghosh, Singer Shruti Pathak and the Folk Singer Swaroop Khan. challenge has Indian mentors of international repute like Percussionist Taufiq Qureshi, Padmashri Flutist Ronu Majumdar, Violinist Sunita Bhuyan, Percussionist Pandit Dinesh, Sri Tanmoy Bose, Leslie Louis and Flutist Rakesh Chaurasia coming in to Judge the series.
Starting with Solo performance, they have been merged into groups of four and then into eight and finally into 10 musicians who create original music and recreate old Folks to create an amazing symphony of musical genius. The final top 3 of 10 musicians each will form the mega symphony where they will have the opportunity to perform on the prestigious WAVES platform. The three-winning team of the series will be performing in front of an enthusiastic audience, giving them the chance to not only compete but also introduce new styles, genres, and musical influences.
General Conditions:
- Jury Decisions: The decision of the celebrity jury and regional judges will be final and binding on all participants.
- Permissions: By submitting their performances, participants grant Prasar Bharati the right to telecast and promote their work on all platforms operated by Prasar Bharati.
- Expenses: Participants are responsible for their travel and accommodation expenses during the state-level auditions and any subsequent rounds, if applicable.
Conclusion
With its deep focus on Indian music traditions and contemporary interpretations, Symphony of India serves as a pioneering platform for musicians to showcase their artistry on a grand scale. By merging the heritage of classical Indian music with modern innovation, the competition seeks to inspire a new generation of musicians and elevate India’s musical legacy onto the global stage.
Reference
Click here to see PDF:
Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Anchal Patiyal
(Release ID: 2110221)
Visitor Counter : 441