Music and Youth
DD partners with Dilli Gharana Prodns for new classical music talent show
MUMBAI: In a bid to promote India’s rich musical traditions, Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan’s Dilli Gharana Productions has partnered with Doordarshan to launch Wah Ustad, a classical and semi-classical music talent hunt reality show.
The initiative is part of the Create in India Challenge under the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (Waves) 2025, organised by the ministry of information and broadcasting.
The show aims to provide a global platform for young, classically trained vocalists aged 18 and above, with basic training in Hindustani, Carnatic, or Sufi music. Participants will be selected through a multi-phase process, including online registrations via the Dilli Durbar portal, video-based shortlisting, regional auditions, and a grand national finale at the Waves 2025 event in Mumbai.
With 26 episodes to be aired on Doordarshan, Wah Ustad will feature innovative rounds such as fusion performances and self-compositions, focusing on themes like Sufi, devotional, and semi-classical music. Dilli Gharana Productions has Mohd Imran Khan and Vusat Iqbal Khan listed as the co-founders. A panel of renowned musicians and cultural icons, including members of Dilli Gharana, will judge the competition.
The winner will receive a cash prize, while other finalists will gain mentorship opportunities, recording contracts, and recognition from dignitaries. By blending traditional expertise with modern technology, Wah Ustad seeks to inspire the next generation of musicians and preserve India’s musical legacy for years to come.
Music and Youth
TLC launches ‘World On My Plate’ with Shipra Khanna
New travel-food series premieres 29 March at 7:00 PM.
MUMBAI: Shipra Khanna just packed her bags and her flavours because when a celebrated chef takes you on a global plate tour, even the couch starts feeling like first-class. Warner Bros. Discovery India has announced the launch of World On My Plate with Shipra Khanna, a new travel and food series set to premiere on TLC on 29 March at 7:00 PM. Hosted and curated by the popular chef and television personality, the show blends food, travel and culture through an intimate and immersive lens.
Across three visually rich episodes, Shipra journeys to global destinations to explore not just what people eat, but why they eat it, uncovering the stories, traditions and human connections behind every dish. The series opens in London, weaving its iconic landmarks with diverse culinary scenes, before moving to Spain’s vineyards, olive orchards and coastal kitchens.
Warner Bros. Discovery head of advertising revenues for South Asia Tanaz Mehta said: “At TLC, our focus has always been on bringing authentic stories that reflect how people live and connect. World On My Plate builds on this by using food as a lens to explore shared traditions across geographies. We’re excited to collaborate with Chef Shipra Khanna, whose perspective brings both depth and relatability to these narratives.”
Shipra Khanna added, “Food has always been my way of connecting with people and understanding cultures. With World On My Plate, I’ve had the opportunity to step into new worlds, learn from incredible individuals, and share stories that go far beyond the plate. This show is very special to me.”
The series promises strong visual storytelling, meaningful interactions and a fresh perspective on global cuisine celebrating flavours alongside the emotions and traditions that shape them.
In a world where travel shows often feel like distant postcards, Shipra Khanna is serving up something far more personal: a passport to cultures through their kitchens, proving that the best way to understand a place is still through the plate. Tune in to World On My Plate with Shipra Khanna starting 29 March at 7:00 PM on TLC.
