GHAMMAK: India–Bhutan music festival opens in Mumbai
A weeklong India–Bhutan music festival called GHAMMAK begins in Mumbai on June 12, bringing together artists from both countries to co-write, record and perform new fusion songs. The festival runs through June 18 and will feature live concerts, collaborative studio sessions, workshops and panel discussions. Selected tracks will be released globally on streaming platforms.
Padma Shri singer Suresh Wadkar will inaugurate the festival. The lineup includes well-known performers such as Hamsika Iyer, PMK Naveen Kumar and a nine-member delegation of Bhutanese musicians, cultural representatives and creative professionals. Bhutanese artists will present original songs in their local languages and perform on traditional instruments including the dramyin and lim, while Indian artists will share music from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Assam, Kolkata, Goa, Tamil and Telugu traditions, along with Hindi songs.
The India–Bhutan edition emphasizes cross-cultural collaboration. Indian and Bhutanese musicians will collaborate in songwriting and recording sessions, creating new fusion pieces that will be streamed worldwide. The program also includes industry engagements with composers, lyricists, veteran playback singers and artist managers from India’s music, media and entertainment sectors.
Created by singer-songwriter Thomson Andrews, GHAMMAK is an artist-led platform for cultural exchange and creative collaboration. This inaugural India–Bhutan edition features several program strands:
- Mehfil: Intimate gatherings where artists and poets share songs and stories.
- Manch: Panels and discussions on culture, creativity and music’s role in society.
- Sangam: Showcases where traditional and contemporary musical voices perform together.
- Labs: Creative residencies for co-creation and idea exchange.
- Sessions: Studio recordings that turn collaborations into original music.
- Frequencies: Technical sessions with sound engineers and producers.
- Amplify: Practical workshops on distribution, branding and the business of music.
- Score: Conversations about music in film, advertising, OTT and gaming.
- Honours: Awards and recognitions for participating artists.
- Immersion: Opportunities to connect international artists and cultural institutions with India’s creative ecosystem.
Panel topics and workshops include cultural diplomacy through music, connecting global talent with India’s creative future, and how creativity shapes communities and nations. The festival also features masterclasses and performances by:
- PMK Naveen Kumar, flute maestro, who will perform and teach a masterclass.
- Hamsika Iyer, playback singer.
- Merlin Dsouza, pianist and composer.
- Chandana Bala Kalyan, Carnatic vocalist.
- Shweta Pandit, Hindustani classical singer.
- Rishabh Panchal and Umesh Joshi, indie musical storytellers.
- Anushka Mahanta and violinist Akshata.
- Ghazal artists Yashraj Gandharv, Anita Bhatt and her band.
- Sabyasachi Deb of Coke Studio Bharat and composer Sameeruddin, who will lead a masterclass.
The festival will close with a grand finale that highlights the week’s collaborations and presents GHAMMAK Honours, certificates of participation and special recognition citations.
Thomson Andrews said, “GHAMMAK grew from the belief that music connects people. We want this platform to create real opportunities for artists and institutions to learn from each other and build lasting relationships.”
