WAVES 2025 Day 3: Spotify House Session Explores the Evolution of Folk Music in India with Prasoon Joshi, Papon, Malini Awasthi, and More

Day 3 of the inaugural WAVES Summit 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai featured a captivating session titled Spotify House: Evolution of Folk Music in India. Hosted under the ‘WAVES Culturals and Concerts’ segment, the session brought together luminaries from India’s folk music and cultural sphere to discuss the vibrant, living tradition of folk. The discussion was moderated by renowned storyteller Roshan Abbas and featured an esteemed panel including lyricist and CBFC Chairperson Prasoon Joshi, folk singer Malini Awasthi, music composer Nandesh Umap, singer-composer Papon, and acclaimed performer Ila Arun.

Folk Music as a Living Tradition

The panellists emphasized that Indian folk music is not a relic of the past but a dynamic force woven into daily life and passed down through generations. Prasoon Joshi beautifully described folk as

“a tactile feel of life”

and a collective expression of shared human experiences. He later added,

“When you seek yourself, you write poetry. When you subsume yourself, you write folk,”

capturing the genre’s essence as a reflection of collective identity.

Bringing Folk to the Mainstream

The conversation explored efforts to integrate folk music into mainstream cultural narratives. The panellists lauded platforms like Spotify and initiatives like WAVES for amplifying folk traditions. Nandesh Umap referred to folk as

“an open university,”

highlighting its inclusive and democratic nature. Papon shared a personal anecdote about performing Assamese folk songs in Serbia, where they received a standing ovation, underscoring the global resonance of Indian folk when presented authentically. Ila Arun and Malini Awasthi reinforced this, noting that the roots of folk lie in community and emotion.

Diversity and Innovation in Folk Music

The panel celebrated the vast diversity of Indian folk traditions, with each state offering a unique musical idiom. They called for systemic support to preserve and nurture this diversity, crediting the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for enabling platforms like WAVES to spotlight traditional art forms. The discussion also addressed the need for innovation—while the essence of folk must be preserved, its form should evolve to resonate with new generations. The panellists encouraged creative reinterpretations that remain true to cultural roots while appealing to contemporary audiences.

Immersive Musical Moments

The session was brought to life with spontaneous musical performances, as several panellists broke into impromptu singing. These moments offered the audience an authentic and immersive experience, embodying the spirit of folk music and its deep connection to community.

A Call to Celebrate Folk Heritage

The session concluded with a unified call to action for listeners, institutions, and creators to support India’s folk heritage. The panellists urged that folk music must not only be preserved but also celebrated and shared widely, ensuring its continued relevance in a rapidly changing world.

Stay tuned to GKboard.in for more updates from the WAVES Summit and insights into India’s rich cultural landscape!