IPRS And Sony Music Publishing India Conclude Indie Circle Songwriting Camp On World Music Day

Celebrating World Music Day by championing regional creativity and songwriter development, the Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS) and Sony Music Publishing India (SMPI) successfully concluded The Indie Circle Songwriting Camp, Music Showcase and Creator Connect Programme, bringing together emerging and established creators from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

Presented in collaboration with the Chandigarh Citizen Foundation (CCF), the initiative was designed to provide a sustainable platform for discovering, nurturing and empowering music creators from North India's vibrant music ecosystem. The original compositions created during the programme are set to be released through Jugnu Music, the label partner for the initiative.

Held from June 18 to 20, 2026, the three-day songwriting camp offered artists a collaborative environment to create original music inspired by the rich cultural heritage, folk traditions and contemporary sounds of the region. The camp resulted in the creation of 20 original compositions, showcasing diverse storytelling styles and musical influences from across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

Participating artists included Thought, Afsr, Raman Romana, Rico, Anjali 99, Jaya Rohilla, Surinder Baba, Vipul, Hrishita, Sync, Prince The Artist Singh, Zorra, The Majjor, Harman Sood, Gavy, Harry Faridkot, Deep Mahi, Sabar, Sxbi, Kenz Arya, Janmeet and TUSHe S.

The creators were mentored by acclaimed artists and songwriters Mellow D, Navi Ferozpurwala, Simiran Kaur Dhadli and Sukh-e Muzical, who guided participants through songwriting techniques, creative collaboration and contemporary music-making while encouraging them to draw from their regional roots.

The compositions developed during the camp were showcased at a World Music Day celebration held on June 21 at Rani Laxmi Bai Mahila Bhawan in Chandigarh. The event brought together creators, music professionals and enthusiasts to experience the original works and celebrate the region's growing independent music movement.

Beyond music creation, the programme focused on strengthening creator awareness and bridging the gap between artistic expression and the business of music. Through discussions on publishing, royalties, songwriting and creator rights, participants gained valuable insights into building sustainable careers in the evolving music industry.

One of the key sessions, "Don't Miss What's Yours – Decoding Creators' Rights & Royalties," featured Rumpa Banerjee, GM – Marcom & Member Relations, IPRS, and Siddharth Sharma, A&R Head, Sony Music Publishing India. The discussion focused on copyright protection, ownership and the long-term value of creative works.

The programme also featured "The Art of Songwriting," a special conversation with Mellow D, Kaka Ji and Azadd, who shared insights into their creative journeys, songwriting processes and opportunities within India's rapidly evolving independent music landscape.

Speaking about the initiative, Rumpa Banerjee, GM – Marcom & Member Relations, IPRS, said, "World Music Day celebrates the creators who give music its identity and emotional connection. The Indie Circle Songwriting Camp reflects our continued commitment towards empowering creators by providing platforms for collaboration, learning and growth. The talent and creativity witnessed through this initiative demonstrate the immense potential of regional artists and reinforce the need to build a stronger ecosystem that recognises and supports their work."

Dinraj Shetty, Managing Director, Sony Music Publishing India, said the company's first-ever three-day songwriting camp in Chandigarh was part of its broader commitment to nurturing songwriting talent and fostering creative collaboration.

"The initiative brought together rising artists, emerging creators, producers, songwriters and promising new talent on a single platform to collaborate, create original music and forge meaningful industry connections," he said.

Siddharth Sharma, A&R Head, Sony Music Publishing India, added that the programme was designed to help songwriters develop original music rooted in their cultural identities while also gaining a deeper understanding of publishing, rights and royalties.

"Initiatives like these enable creators to build sustainable careers while contributing to the growth of India's evolving music ecosystem," he said.

The Chandigarh Citizen Foundation also emphasized the importance of supporting regional talent and strengthening the cultural ecosystem of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

Camp mentors Mellow D and Simiran Kaur Dhadli noted that music flourishes when creators are given opportunities to collaborate, learn and experiment, describing the programme as a valuable platform for emerging artists to showcase their unique stories and sounds.

Devinder Singh Sudan, Founder & Director, Jugnu, said the label remains committed to supporting independent artists beyond music releases through distribution, artist management and publishing partnerships.

"Releasing the original compositions from The Indie Circle Songwriting Camp is a proud moment for us. It reflects our commitment to helping the unique voices of India's heartland find wider audiences and build sustainable careers in music," he said.

With the upcoming release of the 20 original songs through Jugnu Music, the initiative marks another step towards strengthening regional music communities, promoting creator awareness and building a more inclusive and sustainable music ecosystem in India.