News Broadcasting
NDTV captures popular music of different Indian Diaspora communities in documentary
MUMBAI: NDTV has lined up a three-part documentary series – The Music of the Diasporas – on the popular rhythms and ragas that have evolved amongst native Indian communities based in the French Reunion Island, Trinidad and Tobago and England. This is the music that has liberated and nourished the souls of communities of Indian origin and these are the rhythms of the uprooted, the music of the resettled. This three-part documentary that captures the popular music of three different Indian Diaspora communities, will be aired on NDTV 24X7 from 11 December at 10:30 pm.
In an attempt to record Indian beats transcending borders and ethnicities, The Music of the Diasporas is a eulogy to the musical manifestations born out of the clash of cultures, the conflicts between generations, and a search, both internal and external, for a sense of identity in an alien, ever-changing world.
French Reunion Island: NDTV visited the French Reunion Island, near Mauritius. French by nationality, the people of this island have found a powerful expression of their liberation from slavery as well as a celebration of their multiracial, multicultural identities in the popular ‘Maloya’ music. Here African rhythms collide with Indian religious chants, the beats of the ‘tambour’ invite those of the African drums to join in and a new vibrant music is born that defies differences and unifies experiences.
Trinidad and Tobago: British colonial labour trade brought thousands of indentured labourers from India, mainly from East UP and Bihar to the islands of the Caribbean to work alongside African slaves in the sugarcane plantations. Today their descendants in Trinidad and Tobago are blending traditional folk songs of North India with Calypso beats and African rhythms to produce the hottest music, aptly labeled Chutney. Rikki Jai, the Soca Chutney Monarch performs for various audiences in the annual Carnival in Port of Spain, the sitar and tabla play alongside the steel pan in Mangal Patesar’s orchestra, the celebratory mood in the country takes us from the beaches to the temple as it is Basant Panchmi soon after the Carnival is over.
England: This film travels from London to Birmingham filming live performances in clubs, in radio stations, in Indian neighborhoods, rehearsals in studios, attempting to catch a glimpse of England’s pulsating experiments with multiculturalism. Johnny Kalsi’s Dhol Foundation, DJ Ritu’s Bollywood inspired remixes, Kuljit Bhumra’s studio in Southhall , Avtar Lit’s Sunrise Radio, Hard Kaur’s experiments with rap and a pulsating weekend in Brick Lane. The personalised histories of small and upcoming Asian artistes come together to reveal those of a new generation of Asians asserting their identities and erasing boundaries, in this series.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
