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Hungama Artist Aloud and Khazana announce the 3rd edition of Khazana Artist Aloud Talent Hunt; #StayAtHome #StayEntertained returns with a Ghazal edition
Hungama Artist Aloud, a platform that supports and promotes independent content, and Khazana – an annual concert that celebrates the art of ghazals, today announced the third edition of Khazana Artist Aloud Talent Hunt, India’s first and only talent hunt for Ghazal singers, powered by Hungama. The talent hunt will welcome entries from participants across various countries and will see ghazal maestros, Pankaj Udhas, Anup Jalota, Talat Aziz, Rekha Bhardwaj and Sudeep Banerji reprise their roles as judges. Two winners will get a chance to perform at ‘Khazana – A Festival of Ghazals’ later this year, alongside some of the most prolific Ghazal singers in India. Due to the pandemic and in order to ensure the safety of all artists, musicians, technicians and guests, this year Khazana will be a digital concert, available to stream across Hungama’s platforms.
In order to participate, aspiring singers will need to upload videos of them singing ghazals of their choice on www.artistaloud.com/khazana2020 before 12th July 2020. Following a jury meet, 20 shortlisted candidates will be asked to upload fresh audition videos by 3rd August 2020, with the final 2 winners being announced by the jury on 17th August 2020.
Hungama Artist Aloud is also bringing back its hit property, #StayAtHome #StayEntertained for a Ghazal edition. Beginning 30th June 2020, viewers will be able to watch Ghazal singers perform live every day on Hungama Music and Hungama Artist Aloud’s Facebook page at 6 PM and 7 PM, Monday to Friday. The property will feature live performances from renowned singers like Pankaj Udhas, Sudeep Banerji, Pooja Gaitonde, Priyanka Barve, Gayatri Asokan, Runa Rizvi Sivamani, Abhas & Shreyas, Pratibha Singh Baghel, Prithvi Gandharv, and more. Besides this, winners of Khazana Artist Aloud Talent Hunt 1st and 2nd edition will also perform live in the series.
Speaking about the talent hunt and #StayAtHome #StayEntertained – Ghazal Edition, Soumini Sridhara Paul, Vice President, Hungama Artist Aloud said, “We are delighted to associate with Khazana for the 3rd edition of Khazana Artist Aloud Talent Hunt. Since its inception, the talent hunt has celebrated the brilliance of Ghazals and given a huge platforms to aspiring singers. In the last 2 years, we have received a phenomenal response with more than 10,000 participants from over 175 cities worldwide. We are certain that our 3rd consecutive edition will be a resounding success as well. We are also glad to launch the Ghazal edition of #StayAtHome #StayEntertained and are certain that the performances of such gifted Ghazal singers will inspire more people to participate.”
Talking about the talent hunt, Pankaj Udhas said, “I am elated to be a part of Khazana Artist Aloud Talent Hunt for its 3rd edition. As India’s first and only talent hunt for Ghazal singers, it gives me immense pride to see the legacy of this exclusive platform grow. With the association of Khazana and Hungama Artist Aloud, we want to inspire young talent from all over the world to come forward and show their love for Ghazals.”
Khazana – A Festival of Ghazals was founded by legendary Ghazal singer and President, Parents Association Thalassemic Unit Trust, Pankaj Udhas along with Y.K. Sapru, Chairman and CEO, Founder Director, Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) with the support of ghazal maestros Talat Aziz and Anup Jalota. Currently in its 19th year, Khazana has excelled in preserving and promoting the exquisite art of Ghazal singing by giving a platform to both, new and established Ghazal singers. All proceeds from the festival go to the Parents Association Thalassemic Unit Trust (PATUT) and Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA).
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Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
