"India Can Outshine Coachella": Diljit Dosanjh Shares His Vision With PM Modi

India has the potential to host music festivals that surpass the scale of global events like Coachella, said Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh during his New Year’s Day meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The internationally acclaimed artist met the prime minister at his residence on Wednesday, where they discussed music, culture, and India’s rich artistic heritage.

During the meeting, PM Modi inquired about Dosanjh’s experiences performing at global events, including the iconic Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2023.

“Festivals like Coachella are massive, but I believe India can create something even bigger,” said Dosanjh. “People from all over the world would travel here for such events. Music is deeply woven into India’s cultural fabric, and even non-professional singers often display incredible talent.”

Reflecting on India’s inherent artistry, Dosanjh shared an anecdote:“Whether it’s a dhaba or someone singing in Rajasthani, the melodies are so captivating that I sometimes feel like stopping my own singing. These individuals, untrained yet immensely gifted, embody the artistic richness of our country. If we develop platforms here, global audiences will flock to India.”

PM Modi echoed Dosanjh’s sentiments and highlighted his vision for India as a creative hub through the upcoming World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), scheduled from February 5 to 9. Touted as a global platform for creative talents, WAVES aims to foster collaborations and showcase India’s potential for producing world-class content.

“India is home to the largest creative industry globally, with most of the world’s films being made here,” said PM Modi. “Through WAVES, I aim to position India at the center of the creative world. This is just the beginning of a movement to make India a global hub for creativity.”

PM Modi also reminisced about a conversation on Indian music with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

“She asked me about music in India, and I explained how it varies across times of the day and occasions—happy or sad. She was fascinated by the diversity of our musical traditions,” he said.

Dosanjh also spoke about his recently concluded Dil-Luminati India Tour, which ran from October 26 in New Delhi to December 31 in Ludhiana, covering cities like Mumbai, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Bengaluru, and Guwahati.

“It was the biggest-ever tour from India, with performances across numerous cities and stadiums. During this journey, I truly understood why we say, ‘Mera Bharat Mahaan.’”

PM Modi praised Dosanjh for his humility despite global fame and encouraged him to use his platform to promote environmental awareness. “Indian people are naturally environment-friendly,” the prime minister noted, urging the singer to spread this message through his shows.

This meeting highlighted the shared vision of celebrating and elevating India’s creative and cultural prowess on the global stage.