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Critically acclaimed British rockers Franz Ferdinand on CNN’s ‘Talk Asia’
Indian Standard Times
Saturday, March 4 at 0930am, 2000hrs and 2230hrs
Sunday, March 5 at 0600am, 1700hrs and 2030hrs
Monday, March 6 at 0900am
Franz Ferdinand’s lead singer Alex Kapranos and bass guitarist Bob Hardy join TALK ASIA’s Lorraine Hahn this weekend. The four-piece-band first got together in 2002 and have since produced two critically acclaimed albums, enjoyed chart success on several continents and won a number of prestigious awards including the Mercury Music Prize and MTV Video Award in 2004 and Best British Group at The BRITs in 2005.
The group hopes that their unique name, taken from the Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand whose assassination precipitated the First World War, will inspire musicians to be a catalyst for change. A combination of art, communication and social responsibilities lies at the heart of their music: “the best music does make a difference to your life as well. And it’s often in a personal way, and it’s often more of a social thing than a political thing.” Being both performers and fans, Franz Ferdinand also appreciate the artistic qualities of other British bands. To them, the term “competition” is rather “an old-fashion attitude”.
Keeping true to their Indy roots, Franz Ferdinand have remained active in the music scene of Glasgow and enjoy creating tunes that people can dance to. “There’s no point in trying to create music that has a commercial appeal, it just doesn’t work. I’ve known bands that have tried to chase after the current trend, or whatever is particularly fashionable…and it always comes across as being insincere and slightly distasteful” explains Kapranos. To survive in the current music industry, “you’ve got to keep writing goods songs” and that’s what they hope to do with their upcoming third album.
AIRTIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
