Event Coverage
Art Meets Tech: IPRS unravels the dynamics of AI and creativity at Kala Ghoda Art Festival 2024
Mumbai: The Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS), the forefront organisation in safeguarding the rights of creators and publishers in music is hosting an insightful panel at Kala Ghoda Art Festival 2024 on 28 January at 11 AM. The panel will take place at The Blue Box by Antiquity Natural Mineral Water at YB Chavan Centre. The session promises an insightful discussion on the integration between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and creativity with a distinguished panel of speakers including leading creators and industry experts Shalmali Kholgade – Singer-Songwriter, Raghav Meatle: Singer-Songwriter and founder First.wav; Sherrin Varghese (Band of Boys) – Musician-Actor, Himanshu Bagai – Senior Advocate IP and Copyright. The session will be moderated by Chaitanya Chinchlikar educator in the Film, Media, and Creative Arts industry.
The session will explore the significant impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Creators and Creativity, shedding light on its rapid integration into the creative industries. Drawing examples of AI applications in music, art, writing, and various creative fields the panel will showcase AI’s growing role and adaptation. The panel will emphasize AI’s potential to enhance the creative process for artists, emphasizing collaboration over replacement. Furthermore, the discussion will address concerns about job displacement and contemplate the ethical implications of integrating AI into the creative process. Deliberations will also extend to the adaptation of copyright laws to accommodate the distinctive features of AI-generated works.
Speaking about the panel, Singer-songwriter Shalmali Kholgade expressed, “As an artist, I’m thrilled to be part of the upcoming panel discussion at Kala Ghoda Art Festival with IPRS, speaking about the fascinating realm of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on creativity. It’s an exciting opportunity to explore how AI is becoming an integral part of the creative industries, shaping the way we approach music, art, and writing. Looking forward to the engaging session that sparks new ideas and perspectives in the ever-evolving landscape of creativity and also to see the collaborative possibilities between human creativity and technology”.
Commenting on the topic of the panel, IPRS CEO Rakesh Nigam said, “This discussion is pivotal for addressing the dynamic landscape of music in the era of AI-generated content, navigating job concerns, and ensuring the protection of creators’ rights through appropriate IP laws. It’s time to delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, examining its impact on creators and their careers. IPRS eagerly hosts this dialogue to explore the synergy between AI and human creativity. We envision a future where technology and human ingenuity collaboratively produce extraordinary results.”
Attendees can expect an exploration of potential AI innovations and advancements that hold the power to transform the way creators operate, paving the way for a dynamic and innovative future at the intersection of technology and artistic expression. Fostering an interactive and inclusive environment, the session will encourage a lively exchange of questions and insights from the audience. Join IPRS at the Kala Ghoda Art Festival 2024 for an insightful discussion on the evolving relationship between AI and creativity, and the boundless possibilities it presents.
Event details:
Panel Discussion: AI and its impact on Creators and Creativity at the Kala Ghoda Art Festival 2024
Speakers: Shalmali Kholgade: Singer-Songwriter; Raghav Meatle: Singer-Songwriter; Sherrin Varghese (Band of Boys): Musician-Actor; Himanshu Bagai: Senior Advocate IP and Copyright
Moderator: Chaitanya Chinchlikar educator in the Film, Media, and Creative Arts industry
Date: 28 January 2024
Time: 11 AM IST
Venue: The Blue Box by Antiquity Natural Mineral Water at YB Chavan Centre
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
