IPRS rolls out dual push for artistic expression and creator rights in Goa

GOA: The Indian Performing Right Society is gearing up for a blockbuster December in Goa, launching a two-pronged bid to champion India’s musical talent: a high-energy showcase at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2025 and the debut of its first IP Hub, a nationwide initiative designed to arm creators with knowledge, tools and control over their work.

From 15–20 December at Azad Maidan, the IPRS Stage will light up Panaji with a line-up that cuts across regions, genres and generations. The Vayali Bamboo Band will open the stage on 15 December with their handcrafted instruments and earth-rooted sound. In the days that follow, audiences will hear Gulabi Vinyl’s blend of thumri, dadra and ghazals; Beintehaan, a lush curation by songwriter and filmmaker Mayur Puri; the Sufi pulse of Rooh-e-Qawwali led by Shahbaaz Hussain Khan of the Gwalior Gharana; and the rising Ladakhi powerhouse Dashugs, who close the showcase with their mountain-bred sonic grit.

But the festival stage is only half the story. IPRS is also launching its first IP Hub at the Future School of Performing Arts in Goa, the start of a wider network aimed at demystifying copyright, royalties, metadata and monetisation for regional creators. The Hub promises accessible guidance, local-language resources and community-driven learning—an antidote to an industry where too many artists remain uninformed about how to protect their work.

IPRS chief executive Rakesh Nigam called the month a turning point for the organisation, saying the two initiatives “celebrate creativity and strengthen the ecosystem from the ground up”. The Hub’s opening will include an interactive session on 18 December, with insights from creators and industry voices including Puri.

Nilesh Thomas, chief academic officer at the Future School of Performing Arts, said the partnership fits neatly with the school’s goal of preparing creators for sustainable careers that balance artistic growth with industry know-how.

With a festival stage that spotlights India’s sonic brilliance and a grassroots hub built to safeguard the people behind it, IPRS is making a loud, clear statement: the future of Indian music needs celebration—and protection. One beat, one right, one creator at a time.