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“Indian rhythm has a tremendous tradition, a fantastic history of understanding it as life” says Percussionist Bickram Ghosh
Mumbai : During the discussion on ‘Art for Heart – The Healing Power of Genius’, at ABP Network’s second Ideas of India summit, BickramGhosh emphasized on the importance of Indian rhythm and the history of understanding rhythm as life.
Speaking at the session, he said, “Rhythm in its essence cuts across nations, across pretty much anything, but Indian rhythm, in particular, has a tremendous tradition, has a fantastic history of understanding rhythm as life. So the whole concept of the circular rhythm which is the taala structure… Indian rhythm was thought of in that way connecting it to the cosmos because it’s a very old tradition and rhythm in India is a philosophy. It’s not just a beat or a groove so in that context the way we see Taala is so refined.”
This discussion also included sarod players Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, who represent the seventh generation of the Senia Bangash Gharana musical lineage. They were both introduced to the fine art of playing the sarod at a young age. When discussing their musical journey, Ayaan Ali Bangash said, “A Guru or a mentor can only convey the path to you but I think the realisation of the sense of responsibility has to come from within. I don’t think that can be thrown upon. If you don’t feel it, then don’t do it.”
Amaan Ali Bangash elaborated upon how Indian classical music is connected with spirituality even in modern times. “I think it has to do with culture because our music is more about what we have heard from the great Ustads and Pandits, what we learned from them. It’s to do with spirituality. I think Indian classical music is connected with spirituality,” he said on the humility of classical artists.
Speaking at the second edition of the “Ideas of India”, classical and contemporary vocalist Shubha Mudgal said, “The companionship of music kept me going through difficult times in the past 2 years, even near-death experiences. It’s possible that companionship of music provides unconditional healing and support.”
The ABP Network’s “Ideas of India” Summit 2023 was discussing the topic of “’Art for Heart – The Healing Power of Genius’. Amidst the global churn and changing dynamics, the summit has brought together policymakers, cultural ambassadors, industry experts, celebrities, and business leaders to discuss the vital role India plays. ABP Network is a leading multi-language channel reaching 535 million individuals in India therefore this summit provides one of the biggest platforms for the brightest minds across various sectors to express their views.
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Network18 Q4 revenue grows 9.7 per cent, EBITDA at Rs 30 crore
PAT improves to Rs 306.6 crore, margins steady amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: Not all news is breaking, some of it is quietly improving. Network18 Media & Investments Limited appears to be doing just that, tightening losses and stabilising margins even as costs continue to weigh on the business. For FY26, the company reported revenue from operations of Rs 1,955.1 crore, up from Rs 1,896.2 crore in FY25, signalling modest top-line growth in a challenging media environment. Total income stood at Rs 1,978.2 crore, compared to Rs 1,913 crore a year earlier.
Profit after tax came in at Rs 306.6 crore for the year, a sharp turnaround from Rs 3,225.4 crore in FY25, largely reflecting the absence of large exceptional items that had inflated the previous year’s numbers. On a more comparable basis, the company’s operating performance showed signs of gradual stabilisation.
However, the quarterly picture remained under pressure. For the March quarter, Network18 reported a loss of Rs 53.1 crore, narrower than the Rs 98.1 crore loss in the same period last year, but still indicative of ongoing cost challenges.
Expenses continued to track high. Total expenses for FY26 stood at Rs 2,235.7 crore, up from Rs 2,197.8 crore in FY25. Key cost heads included operational expenses of Rs 765.9 crore, employee benefits of Rs 475.9 crore, and marketing, distribution and promotional spends of Rs 427.1 crore, underlining the continued investment required to sustain reach and engagement.
At an operating level, margins remained under strain. Operating margin stood at 2.33 per cent for FY26, marginally higher than 1.77 per cent in FY25, while net profit margin remained negative at -13.02 per cent, though improved from -14.89 per cent.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 8,957.6 crore as of 31 March 2026, from Rs 8,317.5 crore a year earlier. Equity strengthened to Rs 4,958.7 crore, while borrowings increased to Rs 3,112.8 crore, reflecting a higher reliance on debt to support operations.
Cash flows told a mixed story. While financing activities generated Rs 83.9 crore, operating cash flow remained negative at Rs -24 crore, highlighting ongoing pressure on core cash generation. Cash and cash equivalents, however, improved to Rs 33.9 crore from Rs 1.8 crore.
The numbers point to a company in transition growing revenues, trimming losses, but still grappling with structural cost pressures. In a sector where scale often comes at a price, Network18 seems to be inching towards balance, one quarter at a time.
