Event Coverage
Bhilwara Sur Sangam 2024: An ode to India’s musical tradition
Mumbai: The LNJ Bhilwara Group, one of India’s leading conglomerates with diverse business interests, successfully orchestrated a mesmerizing evening of classical melodies in New Delhi with the 11th edition of its iconic Bhilwara Sur Sangam. On its opening day, Bhilwara Sur Sangam attracted more than 500 music aficionados nationwide to immerse in diverse classical melodies.
The event commenced with a solemn lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by a special tribute to one of the finest Hindustani classical vocalists, Late Vidushi Manik Bhide, for her invaluable contribution to the world of music, a gesture that resonated deeply with the audience.
The evening unfolded with a soul-stirring presentation by violinist Manas Kumar, who wove a tapestry of symphony with each note, casting a spell over the audience and transporting them to realms of pure musical ecstasy. The evening reached its pinnacle when legendary vocalist, Dr Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, took over the stage, enchanting the audience with her mesmerizing performance. The resonating voice of Dr Ashwini intertwined with the symphonic melodies of Indian musical instruments, ignited a profound sense of cultural pride among the attendees.
This two-day music festival, Bhilwara Sur Sangam, stands as a testament to the LNJ Bhilwara Group’s enduring commitment to classical music and its profound impact on society. More than a musical event, it is a celebration that symbolises cultural support and artistic brilliance, inspiring future generations to cherish and sustain Indian musical heritage.
As the final notes faded into the night, leaving behind an indelible imprint on hearts and minds alike, Bhilwara Sur Sangam once again united music lovers across boundaries. The spellbinding allure persisted on Sunday as Ustad Waseem Ahmed Khan and Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee take the stage, ensuring an enchanting musical experience.
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.
