India, June 2026: : The festival was inaugurated by renowned Padma Shri singer Suresh Wadkar ji. Artists from India & Bhutan will co-create original fusion songs & perform them live in this festival. These curated songs will be aired on various audio streaming platforms globally. Well-known singers & artists like Hamsika Iyer, PMK Naveen Kumar & many more will be performing at this cultural music exchange event.
A delegation of 9 renowned Bhutanese artists, cultural representatives & creative professionals is in Mumbai for a week-long exchange of music, ideas, traditions & artistic experiences. This initiative is being presented in association with the Department of Media, Creative Industry & Intellectual Property (DOMCIIP), Bhutan, TOA MEDIAWORKS & Blackout Events and experiences. GHAMMAK is an independently curated cultural music exchange initiative. This cultural music exchange event will showcase Bhutanese artists performing their original music in the local language, playing their traditional instruments, “Dramyin” & the Lim. Indian artists will perform original cultural music from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Assam, Kolkata, Goa, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Artists from both countries will merge their songs & music & create fresh & unique fusion tracks that will be streamed worldwide through various audio & digital streaming platforms.
This India–Bhutan Edition will feature collaborative songwriting sessions, recording projects, cross-border partnerships, industry engagements & interactions with leading figures from the Indian music, media & entertainment sectors. Guests of Honour will include some very prominent Bollywood Veteran playback singers, Film & Ad composers, lyricists, Indie Artists, Renowned Musicians, Artist managers & Bollywood personalities.
GHAMMAK is an initiative by Thomson Andrews, an Indian contemporary singer & song writer. With nearly 2 decades of experience across music, media & entertainment. It is a pioneering artist-led platform for cultural exchange, creative collaboration & international engagement in an increasingly interconnected world. It will connect singers, artists & creative industries from countries around the world with their Indian counterparts. It is designed as a globally scalable platform with future editions & international collaborations currently being explored across multiple countries and regions.
The Inaugural Indo- Bhutan edition will be : One Exchange. Endless Possibilities.
The various facets under it will be :
- Mehfil: An intimate gathering where artists, poets & musicians come together to share songs, stories & spirit behind their art
- Manch: A platform for thought leaders & artists to explore the role of culture, creativity & music in shaping society via panel discussions
- Sangam: A vibrant showcase where diverse musical traditions, contemporary sounds & artistic voices unite on one stage
- Labs: A creative residency where artists, songwriters & musicians come together to exchange ideas and create new work
- Sessions: An immersive recording experience where cross-cultural collaborations are transformed into original music
- Frequencies: A deep dive into the craft of sound, featuring leading engineers, producers and creators shaping modern music.
- Amplify: Practical insights from music industry leaders on discovery, distribution, branding & the business of music.
- Score: Music Beyond The Stage – exploring how music shapes films, advertising, OTT, gaming & the stories that define modern culture.
- Honours: Acknowledging & recognition of the artists through awards & appreciation
- Immersion: A strategic platform connecting international artists, cultural institutions and creative businesses with opportunities across India’s rapidly expanding entertainment ecosystem.
There will also be various interactive Panel Discussions & Workshops that will be held, like :
- Connecting Global Talent with India’s Creative Future
- Ideas That Move Culture.: A platform for thought leaders, artists & changemakers to explore the role of culture, creativity and music in shaping society.
- Music as a Tool for Cultural Diplomacy – The Role of Artists in Society, Future of Culture & Cross-Border Collaboration Audience Interaction
- “Exploring how creativity shapes communities and Nations.: “Where musical cultures meet, collaborate and celebrate.”
There will be Live Performances and knowledge sessions by:
- Flute Maestro P m k Naveen Kumar will perform and conduct a masterclass.
- Playback singer Hamsika Iyer will perform.
- Virtuoso Pianist and music composer Merlin Dsouza will perform.
- Chandana Bala Kalyan – Indian Carnatic vocalist & artist.
- Hindustani/Indian classical vocal – Shweta Pandit will perform.
- Musical Storytelling by Indie artists: I-pop star Rishabh Panchal, Veteran recording artist
- Umesh Joshi, Singers Anushka Mahanta & Violinist Akshata will perform.
- Ghazal performances by Yashraj Gandharv, Anita Bhatt & her band.
- Coke Studio Bharat musician Sabyasachi Deb will perform with his band.
- Composer Sameeruddin will conduct a masterclass
The grand finale of the “GHAMMAK™ India–Bhutan Cultural Music Exchange”, will showcase highlights from the week-long journey & culminate with GHAMMAK Honours, Certificates of Participation & Special Recognition Citations.
Speaking about the initiative, Thomson Andrews said: “GHAMMAK was born from a simple belief—that music remains one of humanity’s most powerful forces for connection. Through this platform, we hope to create meaningful opportunities for artists, institutions and communities to learn from one another, celebrate cultural diversity & build relationships that endure far beyond the stage.”
