Eminent Chhattisgarh-based Hindi writer and Jnanpith Award recipient Vinod Kumar Shukla died on Tuesday evening due to age-related ailments at a government hospital here, his family members said. He was 89. Shukla was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, on December 2 after experiencing breathing difficulties. He breathed his last at 4.48 pm on Tuesday, his son, Shashwat Shukla told PTI. He is survived by his wife, son Shashwat and a daughter. According to the family, his mortal remains will first be taken to his residence here, and details regarding the last rites will be announced shortly. Shashwat Shukla said that after his father experienced breathing problems in October, he was admitted to a private hospital in Raipur. After his condition improved, he was discharged and continued treatment at home. However, his health deteriorated suddenly on December 2, after which he was taken to AIIMS Raipur for further treatment, he added. A celebrated literary figure, Vinod Kumar Shukla was the author of acclaimed novels such as 'Naukar Ki Kameez', 'Khilega To Dekhenge', 'Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi', and 'Ek Chuppi Jagah'. He was widely regarded as one of the most distinctive voices in Hindi literature, known for his unique, simple, and deeply evocative writing style. For his unparalleled contribution to Hindi literature, creative excellence, and distinctive literary expression, Shukla was awarded the 59th Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honour. The award was presented to him on November 21 this year at a ceremony held at his residence in Raipur. He was the first author from Chhattisgarh to receive the prestigious award. During his visit to Chhattisgarh on November 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to the family members of Shukla, and enquired about his health and well-being. Shukla's novel 'Naukar Ki Kameez' was adapted into a film of the same name by filmmaker Mani Kaul. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
23 December,2025 08:42 PM IST | Raipur | PTIAdding a unique charm to Christmas celebrations, a giant Christmas tree made entirely of organic flowering plants has been set up at Chungathara in Malappuram district of Kerala. The 30-foot-tall tree, with a circumference of around eight feet, has been erected in front of a coconut company at Kuttimunda, drawing widespread public attention. The Christmas tree has been beautifully crafted using around 2,800 organic flowering plants, making it a rare and eco-friendly attraction. Unlike conventional artificial decorations, the tree has been created by planting and nurturing organic saplings, blending festive spirit with a strong message of environmental responsibility. Company owner Pappachan Munduvayal said the massive structure was the result of the collective effort of nearly 15 people. He noted that the idea of creating a green and organic Christmas tree had been a long-cherished dream shared by both the management and employees, which has now turned into reality. The towering tree has become a major attraction for locals, families and passersby, with many stopping to capture photographs and selfies. The initiative has also gained traction on social media for its innovative and sustainable approach to Christmas celebrations. Christmas falls on December 25th every year, and is celebrated with joy, happiness, and compassion. It marks the birth of Jesus Christ and echoes the message of peace, love, and harmony. On this occasion, families gather to share meals, exchange gifts, sing Christmas carols, and spread warmth in the chilly season. Churches hold special prayers, creating an atmosphere of faith and hope. The festival is celebrated across the world with great enthusiasm and holds special significance for Christians. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
23 December,2025 12:20 PM IST | Malappuram (Kerala) | ANIVince Zampella, one of the creators behind such best-selling video games as 'Call of Duty', has died. He was 55. Video game company Electronic Arts said Zampella died on Sunday, December 21. The company did not disclose the cause of death. In 2010, Zampella founded Respawn Entertainment, a subsidiary of EA, and he was also the former chief executive of video game developer Infinity Ward, the studio behind the successful 'Call of Duty' franchise. A spokesperson for Electronic Arts said in a statement on Monday that Zampella's influence on the video game industry was ¿profound and far-reaching." "A friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world. His legacy will continue to shape how games are made and how players connect for generations to come," a company spokesperson wrote. One of Zampella's crowning achievements was the creation of the Call of Duty franchise, which has sold more than half a billion games worldwide. The first-person shooter game debuted in 2003 as a World War II simulation and has sold over 500 million copies globally. Subsequent versions have delved into modern warfare and there is a live-action movie based on the game in production with Paramount Pictures. In recent years, Zampella has been at the helm of the creation of the action-adventure video games Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
23 December,2025 11:19 AM IST | Washington | APItalian DJs and music producers Matteo and Amedeo Giovannelli, popularly known as Mathame are in Mumbai for Sunburn 2025. It's not like they have been here before. They have. Only this time, they are playing in a different setting. It's not a club but a music festival. With music that is literally an explosion of sounds, the duo carry their roots with them. Even if they roam the world, they remember their home in Sicily, at the base of Mt Etna, one of the most popular active volcanoes in the world. Growing up around these sounds has inspired their music in more than one way, and even if they travel the world, it will always carry a piece of Mount Etna. Ahead of their performance at the iconic music festival, Amedeo dives into their music, the role of Artificial Intelligence in music, but not without the role of visual storytelling in modern music. Here are excerpts from the interview: Firstly, how excited are you to perform in India at Sunburn 2025 and is it your first time here? No, it's not our first time. We have been several times to India, actually like at least four or five times to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi and Goa. We love the crowd because you all like to party, that's what we like, the crowd is warm. We will play a little bit different than a club show; it will be a more energetic set. The cities in India are different - Goa is a small multi-ethnic place, people from different places of the world, but mainly Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are very similar. I find it hard to play in Delhi because it has a very strong vibe. How have you seen electronic music evolve since the time you started out? Electronic music follows technology. There's no electronic music without technology. In the last 12 years to 15 years, there has literally been a very fast revolution in technology, and the music follows. I think the AI breakthrough of these last three, four years changed the cards a lot. First of all, the velocity of the quality of the music you can produce is insanely higher because we have AI like a brainstorming tool that helps you to find a good idea and it's very important. So that's why you see every week there are new, huge releases. I mean, 10 years ago was different because you had to wait months for a good release, and even a year or two. Today, it is very fast. The scenario changed and the genre collapsed. I don't think there are any genres anymore. You can do dubstep, you can do dance, you can do everything. The most difficult thing now is to build a brand and manage your identity. Before it was easier to manage the identity because there was the genre that defined the identity. Now without the genre, you need to have a clear vision of your identity. So the most difficult thing is to understand who you are. Do you think AI enhances the whole music-making experience? Definitely. I have no regrets and no shame to say that AI is going to raise the bar of the quality because it's an answer, as you say, for human capabilities. It's like having a brilliant companion in studio. And the most important thing that I think is under-evaluated is that it's breaking the barrier of the access. I mean, there's no cost; and for less cost, we have huge technology and results. So it's, in a way, democratising whole creativity. The chance to create now is for everyone. It's not just for who has money to do. And that's why we are embracing AI, because I think it is a tool for the people. Now, let people be creative and bring their own ideas to life. The greatest revolution of AI is that access is for everyone, a few dollars, to think that was unimaginable before. Imagine doing a video clip in the traditional way. It's like a hundred thousand dollars. Nobody can afford a musical project, unless you are not a major label or you have big money. This will lead to a new, completely new scenario, completely new music. It's exciting, actually. That's why we are embracing AI. In the years since you have been active, how has your music evolved with both of your expertise in violin and filmmaking respectively? It's like having a blueprint, where you base your project, when we do like a track, we always start from that point, you know, the cinematic scene, the classical approach of composition -- so harmonies, chords and orchestration is always like the starting point for everything we do. Now we are focussing a lot on the visual side. Our experience is like the first starting point. Visual storytelling is way more important because, as I say, there is it helps to build the identity. The most difficult thing today is to have original identity, original voice, original tone. So the visual part, because we live in a society that is more visual, with social media and everything, we are immersed in visual storytelling all the time. So visual storytelling from a photo to video is much more important than before and how you use that defines your identity. It's like language. So that's why it is important because it gives everyone the chance to do quality stuff but if you want to do quality stuff, you need to know the language. I mean, not everybody that can prompt instructions for an AI model can do something cool. AI doesn't mean automatic. Growing up at the base of Mount Etna, how has the active volcano inspired you to create music? We started from the geography, definitely but I mean, it's obvious that the place where you are defines the identity. For us, the beginning when we were on the Etna, on the volcano, helped us to shape our sound because we get inspiration from the volcano activity. We often use the sounds that remind us of the explosion or the rumble of the ground and powerful volcano. It gives us the blueprint of identity. When you are touring, you are inspired by the place where you visit. I find Japan and the US very inspiring but the blueprint is always on the volcano, it’s 's like you build above that. We also love sci-fi and I'm a huge fan of sci-fi literature, movies and animation. The good sci-fi has poetic meaning that is like a metaphor of our contemporary living to help us understand the present because projecting in the future and paradox of our world helps you to understand the contradiction of the world you live in. To me, it's more effective because it activates the brain. I think it's also paradoxical and also in a way, like you said, it probably opens a side that you probably had in your subconscious, but haven't really brought it out or put it on paper.
20 December,2025 01:49 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento PintoSunburn has come to Mumbai after 18 years, and while World's No 1 Hard DJ Sara Landry is the headliner for the first day, Grammy-Award winning artist and the World’s No 1 DJ David Guetta will be performing on the second day. Guetta's influence shows up in the way the global dance music ecosystem functions today and it isn’t just earned through hits but through the way he has consistently influenced how the world listens, feels and experiences electronic music. For years, the dance music industry has moved through waves, genres rising, subcultures forming, new trends emerging every season. Yet through all this, Guetta, a global festival favourite has remained the constant. When producers talk about him, there’s a mix of respect, admiration and a quiet acknowledgement that he set a standard many still aim for. What makes Guetta an “idol of idols” isn’t just the influence of his sound, but the intention behind it. His music has always carried a sense of accessibility, something that makes people feel instantly connected, no matter where they come from or what kind of music they usually listen to. Upcoming artists don’t just look at his achievements; they look at the clarity of his musical language. It’s a balance that many try to find but few truly master. Guetta did it consistently, making him a point of reference for artists trying to make their mark. In the broader pop culture space, his influence is even more visible. Entire festival moments, viral social media trends, workout playlists and nostalgia edits, somewhere in that mix, there’s always a Guetta track playing. Not because people are consciously choosing him every time, but because his music naturally fits into moments. This is exactly why the industry often refers to him as an artist’s artist. Long before cross-genre partnerships became a formula, Guetta was already bringing global pop, hip-hop and EDM together in ways that felt intuitive, not forced. The impact of that is enormous. He opened pathways for DJs to work with mainstream artists without compromising their credibility. He helped position producers as front-facing artists rather than behind-the-scenes contributors. That shift changed how labels invested in dance music, how festivals curated lineups and how the general public perceived the genre. David Guetta's latest chapter, the Monolith Tour, is a perfect example of this evolution. It shows how he can take the core of what people love about his music and scale it with new technology, new energy and a fresh global vision, without losing the originality that made him iconic in the first place. And now, that same cultural force is heading to India. For fans, artists and the entire dance music community here, it’s a massive moment. David Guetta is coming to Sunburn Festival 2025 in Mumbai and it’s not just a performance, it's a celebration of everything he has contributed to the dance music world and everything he continues to inspire.
19 December,2025 04:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe city transforms on big concert weekends, the pace quickens, the excitement builds, and every corner feels charged with anticipation. With Sunburn music festival making its Mumbai debut at Infinity Bay in Sewri from December 19 to 21, a little planning can go a long way in ensuring you arrive stress-free and ready to soak it all in. Whether you’re heading in from across the city or travelling from another state, here’s everything you need to know before you attend the music festival in Mumbai this weekend. 1. Take the train: Fast, reliable and festival-friendlyTaking the train is one of the simplest and most reliable ways to get to Sunburn Festival 2025. Mumbai’s local network remains the city’s heartbeat and the Harbour Line, in particular, becomes your quickest gateway to the festival. Sewri Station is the closest railway station and from there, it’s a short, comfortable walk to Infinity Bay. With direct connectivity to Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Wadala, Kurla and Navi Mumbai, travelling by train offers a predictable and time-efficient route that gets you to the venue without the guesswork. 2. Shuttle it straight to Sewri Enjoy a smooth and hassle-free commute to Sunburn Festival 2025 through a dedicated shuttle service operating from Dadar and CSMT railway stations, for attendees. With shuttles departing every 15 minutes, you get convenient, reliable and comfortable travel to the festival grounds. Book your tickets exclusively on BookMyShow. 3. Travelling by road - smooth connectivity from across MumbaiIf you prefer road travel, Sewri is connected through major Mumbai arteries that make reaching the venue smooth from every direction. Whether you're coming from South Mumbai, Central areas, the suburbs or Navi Mumbai, cab and ride-share services offer a direct and convenient journey all the way up to the vicinity of the venue. The road network around Sewri is designed for clear, straightforward movement, giving you a seamless ride as you build up the excitement on your way in. 4. Flying In? Here’s your route from the airportFor those flying in for music festival, getting to Infinity Bay, the venue is roughly 18 kilometres from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and a cab or ride-share trip takes you directly to Sewri. The route is well-marked, simple to follow and ideal for travellers who want to slip into festival mode the moment they land in Mumbai. 5. Buses is always a great option for those staying nearbyThe bus network is another dependable option as buses to Sewri Naka and surrounding pockets offer a relaxed and easy journey to the festival zone and if you’re travelling from cities like Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Ahmedabad or Surat, planning your travel with friends can turn the commute into the start of the celebration itself. 6. Groove to the music with Cityflo Sunburn Festival has partnered with Cityflo to provide buses from Goregaon, Thane and Navi Mumbai, through the Cityflo app, ensuring you can get to the venue stress-free. Get to Infiniti Bay with comfort and convenience, and fellow fans partying along the way! Sunburn festival party kitA few essentials can help make your festival experience even better. Keep your festival band handy so your entry is quick and comfortable. Carry a clear water bottle and a fully charged power bank to stay hydrated and connected throughout the day. Downloading offline maps of the venue and your travel route can help you move around easily at any time. Dress in comfortable clothes and footwear that let you enjoy the festival grounds freely. Top up in advance, keep your digital payment apps updated, carry a little cash if needed and secure your personal belongings before you step inside. See you at Infinity BayWith these tips in mind, getting to Sunburn Festival 2025 becomes part of the experience itself. The stages are set, the city is buzzing, and Mumbai is ready to welcome fans to three unforgettable days of music, energy and year-end celebration at Infinity Bay, Sewri.
19 December,2025 03:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMulti-platinum rapper Divine has unveiled his highly-anticipated fifth studio album, ‘Walking on Water’, a 16-track testimonial chronicling his ascent from the gullies of Mumbai to the global hip-hop arena. Marking ten years since his breakthrough redefined the sound and scope of Indian hip-hop, the album stands as Divine’s most complete artistic body of work that merges spiritual conviction with street-hardened truth. Released via Gully Gang, the album features an elite roster of collaborators including artists like Hanumankind, Gurinder Gill, Riar Saab, MC Altaf, Sammohit and Kalyani Priyadarshan, producers ZZORAWAR, Stunnah Beatz and Phenom alongside bold reinterpretations of some of Bollywood’s most iconic tracks. Divine effortlessly samples A.R. Rahman’s timeless ‘Kehna Hi Kya’ (Bombay), and RD Burman’s classics ‘Mehbooba Mehbooba’ (Sholay) and ‘Give Me Some Sunshine’ (3 Idiots). Collaborating with international heavyweights such as Nas, Pusha T, Vince Staples, KSHMR, Jadakiss, Russ, Cocoa Sarai, LIT Killah, and Dutchavelli, Divine delivers what he describes as his most spiritually rooted and narratively rich work to date. ‘Walking on Water’ showcases the full breadth of his creative universe, blending autobiographical storytelling with a diverse sound—ranging from trap and Afro-pop to Bollywood film samples, introspective minimalism and high-energy Gully Gang cyphers. True to form, Divine remains a project-first artist at heart—placing the album experience at the center of his creative vision and reaffirming his commitment to delivering fully realized bodies of work. At its core, ‘Walking on Water’ explores a recurring theme: DIVINE protection against adversity—a metaphor for resilience, clarity and self-belief forged over ten years in the spotlight. Yet the rapper balances these introspective threads with the swagger, urgency and street ethos that built his career. Equally global and local in its resonance, DIVINE moves fluidly across genres—club-ready bangers, speaker-rattling trap cuts, coastal Indian samples, cross-regional collaborations, and emotionally raw meditations—reflecting an artist comfortable operating across borders, genres and cultural codes. Divine states, “This album is a declaration of evolution, dominance, reflection and spiritual grounding—celebrating everything I’ve built and everything I’ve survived. It’s an album for the streets. For the culture. For the believers. And for those who doubted.” Divine remains one of the few Indian artists to earn global critical acclaim while maintaining fierce authenticity. With ‘Walking on Water’, he reinforces why he continues to be the face of Indian hip-hop globally and an artist who brought the gully to the world and the world to the gully. The album marks a defining new chapter in his journey: a work rooted in spirituality, ambition and lived experience, delivered with sonic versatility designed to transcend borders. Beyond being a milestone for DIVINE, ‘Walking on Water’ reflects the expanding global footprint of Indian music and its evolving cultural influence. Here is all you need to know about the songs: 1. Walking on Water (Intro) - Divine stakes his claim as Indian hip-hop’s architect. Cinematic and commanding, the track chronicles a decade of grind—30 songs at 23, a Sony deal at 24, bringing Pusha T and Nas to Mumbai—showing he’s reshaped the game and earned every accolade. A bold, Biblical declaration of legacy.2. Doctor Divine – A high-octane Mumbai street gospel. Punjabi folk-infused trap beats underpin a self-made manifesto, affirming DIVINE’s dominance, grit and unshakable street credibility.3. Jungle Juice - A raw ode to day-ones and Konkan/Goa roots. Militaristic drums and Lorna samples frame tales of loyalty, survival, and transformation—from childhood chaos to black-suit elegance.4. Late Knights (feat. Gurinder Gill) - A haunting anthem about navigating fame amid envy. DIVINE and Gurinder Gill deliver surgical verses exposing fake respect and hidden betrayal. Loyalty rewarded, survival validated.5. Saucy (feat. Riar Saab) - Flirtatious, melodic, and magnetic. DIVINE celebrates a woman who’s independent, confident, and fire. Modern romance meets rhythmic swagger in a catchy groove.6. Boom - A cross-cultural flex sampling AR Rahman’s ‘Kehna Hi Kya’. Nostalgia meets trap, luxury meets street philosophy—a bold statement of dominance and style.7. ABCD (feat. MC Altaf & Sammohit) - Gully Gang posse cut in full effect. Jagged, chaotic production; three artists delivering raw verses to assert who truly rules Indian hip-hop.8. Doordarshan - Hypnotic and menacing. DIVINE sets boundaries over repetitive, suffocating production—an unapologetic glimpse into Mumbai’s underbelly.9. You & I (feat. Kalyani Priyadarshan) - Afro-pop reinvention of RD Burman’s ‘Mehbooba Mehbooba’. Playful, groovy, and flirtatious, blending nostalgia with modern swagger and bridging Mumbai hip-hop with South Indian cinema.10. Drama (Interlude) - A stripped-back spoken-word meditation on trauma, redemption, and survival. DIVINE at his most vulnerable and introspective, offering a spiritual anchor for the album.11. Homicide - Spiritual warfare meets street storytelling. DIVINE confronts conspiracies with divine intervention—metaphorical homicide of anything standing against him.12. Rain -Sampling ‘Give Me Some Sunshine’, DIVINE meditates on sacrifice and survival. A melancholic reflection on childhood, responsibility and paving a path for Indian hip-hop.13. Tequila Dance (feat. Hanumankind) - High-energy, club-ready banger that bridges the burgeoning hip hop soundscapes of Southern and Western India. Swagger, chaos, and celebration collide as DIVINE and Hanumankind trade electric verses in a cross-regional hip-hop wave.14. Triple OG - Stripped-down street anthem. DIVINE asserts dominance with power and precision, dismantling pretenders and reminding listeners of the essence of his decade-long reign. Produced by Phenom, the menacing track is a chest-rattling statement of earned respect. DIVINE defines Triple OG: money, loyalty, love, rules, and bringing life to the game—a no-frills testament to a decade of dominance.15. DADA - DIVINE doubles down on his godfather status with raw aggression. Built on heavy bass, sharp snares, and zero softness, the track is pure rhythmic force. He moves through his journey from barefoot beginnings to earned dominance, mixing Konkani roots with unmistakable Mumbai pride. Hunger, pain, and hustle fuel every bar, reminding listeners that DIVINE remains as ruthless and driven as ever.16. BOOM (Bonus) - The bonus version of ‘Boom’ strips away nostalgia for something darker and more confrontational. With a stalking beat, distorted bass, and warning-shot synths, DIVINE delivers the same legacy bars with added menace. What once felt like a victory lap now sounds like a challenge — same reign, far less mercy.
19 December,2025 12:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNoted sculptor Ram Sutar, known for designing the world's tallest statue 'Statue of Unity' in Gujarat, passed away late on Wednesday night at his Noida residence, his son said. He was 100 and ailing with age-related illnesses. "It is with profound grief that we inform you of the passing of my father Shri Ram Vanji Sutar on 17th December midnight at our residence," his son Anil Sutar said in a note shared with the press on Thursday. Born in a humble family in Gondur village under the Dhule district of present-day Maharashtra on February 19, 1925, Sutar is known to have been drawn to sculpting from his childhood. A gold medallist from JJ School of Art and Architecture, Mumbai, Sutar, has to his credit a long list of achievements. The iconic statues of Mahatma Gandhi seated in a meditating pose and of Chhatrapati Shivaji riding a horse on the Parliament premises rank among his finest creations. The Statue of Unity honours Sardar Patel, country's first deputy prime minister and home minister. Sutar was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016. Recently, Sutar was conferred with the Maharashtra Bhushan Puraskar, the state's highest award. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
18 December,2025 04:56 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIAmerican DJ and music producer Sara Landry is coming to India for the first time but it feels like she's always been connected to the country. So imagine her excitement at being able to perform here on the first day of Sunburn 2025, which has moved to Mumbai for the first time since it started 18 years ago in Goa. Among her many accolades, Landry's most recent is being voted as the World's No 1 Hard DJ by the prestigious DJ Mag in their Top 100 DJs 2025 list, for her dominance in hard techno. It is only right then that the Netherlands-based DJ is called the "High Priestess of Hard Techno" because of her palpable beats that showcase a different side of electronic music, and the island city is going to witness it this weekend. Ahead of her performance, mid-day spoke to DJ Sara Landry about her India visit and her latest accolade, but not without diving into the evolution of the genre and her music, and most importantly the rise of female DJs in the world. Here are the excerpts: 1. Is this your first time in India and the city? Yes, it is my first time in India, and I am so excited to be in Mumbai! I’ve heard so many amazing things about the beauty of the city, and the energy of the people and I can’t wait to experience it firsthand. I am so excited to play some 'trippier' psychedelic music and just deliver a beautiful experience to the fans. 2. How have you seen techno music evolve? It’s been incredible to see techno and hard dance grow and reach wider audiences. I know a lot of techno-junkies are grappling with the idea of it emerging from the underground in the way that it has, but I love it. It’s proof of how powerful hard dance is and the fervour, that has resulted is proof of the magic in the music. I never compare genres because there are aspects of every genre of electronic music that I love and pull inspiration from. What I love about this scene is how ever-evolving the many sub-genres are, so I don’t think you can put one above another. The magic of modern technology in music production means that things are constantly changing and evolving and as an artist it's so beautiful to be able to take elements from a variety of hard dance genres and make music that is in its own unique sonic space. 3. During the same time, how have you grown as a music producer ever since you started out? I have grown so much since I started – I mean, my first show was a tiny house party in Texas during SXSW. Music has always been a huge part of my life and who I am, when I was in college at NYU in New York City, I was very much around the scene, but it wasn’t until after I finished school and moved back home to Texas that I decided to make music my career. From that moment I was just heads down, doing my thing – and here we are today! I originally moved from the US to Europe to get used to the energy it took to be touring so much – I was actually first in Berlin, but I just didn’t really vibe there. When I would go to Amsterdam I was always so happy, so I decided to move there – even if I’m not home much because of my touring, I am very glad I get to call it home. 4. You were also recently crowned the No 1 Hard DJ by DJ Mag. What role do you think it plays for female DJs in the world? I am so grateful to be where I am and to have been given this award. As I continue to grow and progress individually, it’s so important for me to continue to foster the incredible community of women in the scene around me as well. The girlies have to stick together! I hope it inspires any female artists to know that it is possible and they can do it too with hard work and determination. 6. In a music industry that is known to be predominantly male, have you seen the rise of female DJs since the time you started out? It’s funny, because we’ve always been here, and we’ve always dominated – but we’ve only recently been getting recognition. There is such a vibrant, talented community of women in electronic music, and we’re not going anywhere anytime soon. I’m incredibly grateful for the talented women who stand around me and am honoured to share the stage with them and support them. Any opportunity I have to dance while my friends play I always take! 7. Having moved to the Netherlands some time ago, how has that shaped your understanding of world music? Harder styles of dance music have deep roots in the Netherlands, so I definitely credit my move to Amsterdam and my collaboration with Dutch promoters for the evolution of my sound. I love the elements of gabber and hardstyle and love including high energy inspiration from these genres in my music. This regional cultural understanding has just served to deepen my belief that music is the universal language that unites us across cultural and linguistic barriers. So my goal when I make music is to make something that can be felt and understood by anyone, regardless of the language they speak or where they are from. 8. With your India visit, are you hoping to collaborate with some Indian DJs - male or female or would you be open to it? I’m always open to collaborating with amazing artists from anywhere, but I always feel like I never have enough time to really get into it! I love Indian sounds and melodies, they are so beautiful! I love Hindi mantras and chants, and that shows up in a lot of my music and the psytrance tracks that I play and it is always transcendental and makes me feel very elevated. 9. What are you currently working on in terms of new music and can fans expect a sneak peak of something new at the festival? I can’t give too much away but I’m always working on new music – fans will just have to wait and see for themselves when I get behind the decks. I’ve been working on a lot of very psychedelic tracks and I’m excited to see how the crowd responds to them. 10. Last but not the least, what are you looking forward to in India beyond the music, in terms of food and culture? I’m very excited to experience the cultural richness and beauty, and very excited to experience the cuisine. I love Indian food and Indian flavours and can’t wait to try as many things as I can. India is such a beautiful place with so much culture and I am so excited to be experiencing it for the first time through the lens of hard dance electronic music.
18 December,2025 01:51 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento PintoGlobal comedy superstar Russell Peters is bringing his brand-new critically acclaimed Relax World Tour to India for shows in seven cities including New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai and Kolkata. Peters arrives in India fresh off sold-out performances in New York, London, Paris, Sydney, Stockholm, Dubai, Riyadh, Singapore and Toronto. Previously, The Emmy, Gemini and Peabody Award-winning comedian has toured India five times—beginning with his 'Somebody!' Tour in 2007, followed by the 'Notorious' World Tour in 2013, the 'Almost Famous World Tour' in 2015, the 'Deported World Tour' in 2019, and most recently the 'Act Your Age' World Tour in 2024. The 2026 Relax World Tour marks Peter's most expansive tour of India till now, giving fans across the country the chance to experience his all-new material as well as his signature, razor-sharp crowd work. Presented and promoted by BEW Live in association with EVA Live, the Russell Peters Relax World Tour, will kick off in March 2026 as he travels to Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai and Kolkata over a span of one month. Russell Peters states, “I love coming to India. It’s home. It’s my roots and one of my favourite places to visit. Performing here is always an incredible experience – the energy, the food, hospitality and the audiences, who are smart, lively and have supported me from day one. I can’t wait to come back!” Deepak Choudhary, founder and managing director, EVA Live states, “As someone who has seen the evolution of live entertainment and comedy in India, it is truly special to present an artist of Russell Peters’ calibre. His comedy cuts across ages, cultures and generations. His ability to innovate while staying true to the humour people admire makes this massive comedy tour a must-attend experience. Only a few iconic comedians of our time have sustained such incredible relevance and popularity over thirty years. Hosting Russell Peters’ Relax World Tour in India reflects EVA Live’s commitment to delivering world-class and multi-genre live entertainment experiences.” Tickets for all shows will be available exclusively on District by Zomato. A pre-sale will begin on December 15 at 12:30 pm and run for 48 hours, followed by a pre-sale for other users starting December 17 at 12:30 pm for five consecutive days. General ticket sales will open on December 22 at 12:30 pm. Tour date and venueMarch 15, 2026 - New Delhi March 18, 2026 – PuneMarch 20, 2026 – Bengaluru March 22, 2026 – Mumbai March 25, 2026 - HyderabadMarch 27, 2026 - Chennai March 29, 2026 - Kolkata
17 December,2025 04:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMusical comedian Morgan Jay, the viral sensation on the internet, is making his India debut with 'The Goofy Guy World Tour' in November 2026. Bringing his unique brand of high-energy musical comedy to two cities including Mumbai and Bengaluru. Jay is a musician and comedian based in Los Angeles, who has made appearances on MTV’s Wild 'n’ Out, NBC, and Comedy Central and was a 2023 Just for Laughs New Face. First-generation American, he takes his musical influences from his Brazilian and Italian background and 90’s upbringing. He got his start in New York where he attended the Tisch School of the Arts while at the same time doing stand-up in the backrooms and bars of the alternative New York comedy scene. Who is Morgan Jay? As an actor, Morgan just wrapped production on Joey Power’s upcoming feature, Love Language, alongside Chloe Grace Moretz and Anthony Ramos and can be seen in Stick opposite Owen Wilson and Marc Maron for Apple TV+ and NBC’s St Denis Medical. Morgan is also the star of J Pinder’s action-comedy Cotton Candy Bubble Gum, which will premiere at SXSW 2025 in the Narrative Spotlight section. Attendees can expect original comedic musical pieces performed live, lightning-fast improvisation, and genuine audience interactions that pull you into the performance. He blurs the lines between standup, concert and theatre, delivering chaotic energy wrapped in infectious enthusiasm. With material spanning relationships to cultural observations, all delivered with musical flair, his shows have become quite popular around the world. Here is a glimpse of his India schedule: Mumbai on November 27 in 2026 at Shanmukhananda AuditoriumBengaluru in November 29 in 2026 at Prestige Srihari Khoday Centre for Performing Arts Commenting on his India debut, Morgan Jay said, “India, I have been grateful for the love I have received virtually over the years. And now, I cannot wait to experience the same with you live.” Rahul Ganjoo, CEO, District by Zomato, said, “India's comedy audience has evolved dramatically. They're hungry for fresh, bold experiences that challenge conventions. Morgan Jay delivers exactly that." The app's users can now add the event to their ‘Hotlist’ to mark their calendars and stay updated. The tickets are live from 10 am on December 17, 2025.
17 December,2025 12:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
