iWorld
Mirchi’s Onam extravaganza, Colouronam, welcomes artists to the radio
Mumbai: Mirchi, India’s no-one city-centric music and entertainment company, is excited to launch an Onam-special initiative called Colouronam, spanning across Kochi, Kozhikode, and Trivandrum. Mirchi is all set to fill the airwaves with Onam festivities, bringing forth joy, entertainment, and a touch of celebrity flair to its listeners. Throughout the festive season, for five days, renowned Malayali singers, actors, and chefs will grace the Mirchi studios as guest RJs, known as StaRJs, offering a week fueled with unparalleled entertainment.
Mirchi has partnered with various celebrities, including music director Hesham Abdul Wahab, actress Annu Anthony, actor Gokul Suresh, chef Pillai, MP Hibi Eden, and popular designer Stephy Xavier to craft a truly memorable festive experience for Malayalis. These StaRJs will take the reins of Mirchi’s morning shows as RJs and delve into various themes that resonate with the essence of Onam. Throughout the week, listeners can look forward to engaging discussions on topics including Onam memories, delicious Onam delicacies, traditional attire, the evolution of Onam celebrations, and the timeless melodies of Onam songs.
The festive spirit will also reach the listeners, with on-air giveaways including stylish clothes and coveted movie tickets. Additionally, Mirchi’s RJs will actively engage with the audience through Onam-themed reels on Instagram, further intensifying the excitement across social media platforms. Mirchi is all set to release an original song titled Onamaayi. This exclusive track will be unveiled on-air on 24 August.
ENIL, Mirchi business director Tamil Nadu & Kerala Ajith U said, “This Onam, Mirchi is embracing the joy, unity, and cultural richness that Onam embodies through its initiative – Colouronam. We are thrilled to have the captivating voices of everyone’s favourite StaRJs infusing the airwaves with their unique charisma and enthusiasm. Through this initiative, we aim to create an unparalleled festive experience for our listeners in Kochi, Trivandrum, and Kozhikode.”
Sharing his Onam favourites, Gokul Suresh, said, “My fondest memory is celebrating Onam in Guruvayoor when we filmed an Onam song that time; for me, the highlight and favourite part of the Onam is payasam.”
For more updates and to be a part of Mirchi’s vibrant Onam celebrations, tune in to Mirchi 104 and follow mirchimalayalam for exclusive content.
iWorld
Warner Chappell Music launches India ops, Jay Mehta to lead unit
WMG shifts to direct model, unifying publishing and recorded music
MUMBAI: Warner Chappell Music has officially launched direct operations in India, marking a strategic shift by parent Warner Music Group to deepen its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing music markets.
The move replaces the company’s earlier sub-publishing model with a full-fledged, on-ground operation, aimed at giving Indian songwriters stronger access to global networks, rights management tools, and creative infrastructure.
To lead the push, Jay Mehta has been handed an expanded mandate. Already serving as managing director of Warner Music India, Mehta will now oversee both recorded music and publishing across India and neighbouring South Asian markets, effectively bringing the two sides of the business under one roof.
The unified structure is designed to streamline how artists and songwriters work with the company, offering a more integrated ecosystem that spans compositions, recordings, and global distribution.
Warner Music Group managing director, recorded music and publishing, India and SAARC Jay Mehta said, “India’s songwriters are world-class, constantly redefining genres and pushing creative boundaries. By establishing a direct footprint for Warner Chappell, we’re bridging the gap between local brilliance and global opportunity.”
The timing is no coincidence. According to CISAC, creator collections in India jumped 42 per cent year-on-year to Rs 7 billion in 2024, while IFPI ranks India as the 15th largest recorded music market globally. At the same time, the industry is undergoing a structural shift, with independent and non-film music gaining ground over traditional Bollywood soundtracks.
Warner’s bet is that a direct presence will help it capture this changing dynamic. The company is also offering India-based creators access to its proprietary tools, including AI-powered royalty matching systems and real-time analytics platforms, aimed at improving transparency and earnings visibility.
Warner Chappell Music co-chair and CEO Guy Moot said the move is about shaping a publishing ecosystem that “works for creators and ensures their music is heard, protected, and rewarded everywhere.”
Meanwhile, Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl underlined India’s importance to the company’s global strategy, noting that the new structure creates a “unified powerhouse” for both creators and audiences.
With local studios, global reach, and tighter integration across its business lines, Warner is clearly doubling down on India. And as streaming habits evolve and independent music rises, the company is positioning itself to be not just a participant, but a key architect of the country’s next music chapter.
