Goongoonalo Launches: New Music Platform Aims To Restore Artist Ownership In India

A new creator-centric music platform called Goongoonalo has launched, positioning itself as a disruptive force in the Indian music landscape by reclaiming artistic ownership and sovereignty for musicians. The initiative, backed by some of India’s most respected music figures, aims to shift control away from traditional industry gatekeepers and algorithm-driven streaming models, giving artists greater creative freedom and direct engagement with fans.

Co-founded by veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar, Grammy-winning composer Shankar Mahadevan, and technologist Sridhar Ranganathan, Goongoonalo is structured as an artist-owned ecosystem where creators retain ownership of their work and participate in revenue and copyright, rather than relinquishing rights to labels or platforms.

At its launch, the platform debuted with 100 original songs created collaboratively by its artist community, marking a significant start for the new venture. According to co-founders, this launch body of work is intended to demonstrate how creators can release music on their own terms and build direct relationships with listeners without the interference of commercial or algorithmic pressures.

The platform is designed to offer more than just a streaming service; it includes tools for publishing, distribution, rights management and direct artist-fan interaction, with the broader goal of building a human-centred music ecosystem.

At the launch event, Akhtar and other founding members emphasized that Goongoonalo represents a cultural shift, enabling musicians, lyricists and composers to create freely, retain ownership of their work, and engage with audiences more meaningfully than conventional music platforms allow.

In addition to its core music offerings, Goongoonalo also plans community-oriented activities such as workshops, masterclasses and interactive features designed to deepen the connection between creators and fans , a model that its founders believe could reshape how music is valued and enjoyed.