Prasoon Joshi, Ila Arun, Papon Celebrate Folk Music

Photo: (Television)

MUMBAI (ANI) – WAVES 2025 featured a compelling session titled “Spotify House: Evolution of Folk Music in India,” bringing together leading voices from India’s rich folk and music traditions.

Moderated by host Roshan Abbas, the panel included CBFC Chairperson and lyricist Prasoon Joshi, folk singer Malini Awasthi, music composer Nandesh Umap, singer-composer Papon, and veteran performer Ila Arun.

The discussion centered on the vitality of folk music as a living tradition—an art form rooted in community and emotion, not just preserved history. The panelists emphasized that folk music continues to evolve through oral traditions and everyday life experiences.

Prasoon Joshi described folk as “a tactile feel of life,” saying, “When you seek yourself, you write poetry. When you subsume yourself, you write folk.”

The session also explored efforts to integrate folk into mainstream platforms. Umap described folk as “an open university,” celebrating its inclusivity and accessibility. Papon shared how Assamese folk music received a standing ovation in Serbia, underscoring the universal appeal of authentic storytelling through song. Ila Arun and Malini Awasthi echoed the importance of emotion and community in folk traditions.

The panel appreciated the role of platforms like Spotify and festivals like WAVES in elevating folk within contemporary cultural discourse.