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Tag: Raja Kumari

  • Raja Kumari, Suhani Shah, Dhvani Bhanushali to rock World Pickleball League

    Raja Kumari, Suhani Shah, Dhvani Bhanushali to rock World Pickleball League

    MUMBAI: The World Pickleball League (WPBL) is about to serve up more than just high-speed rallies. From 24 January to 2 February 2025, the historic Brabourne Stadium will witness a dazzling fusion of competitive pickleball and sensational live performances. This inaugural event promises to transform India’s sportainment landscape, pairing the nation’s newest sporting craze with a powerhouse lineup of stars.

    The league’s entertainment roster, curated by Entertainment Consultant, features some of the biggest names in music and performance. Expect electrifying acts from Raja Kumari, Dhvani Bhanushali, Suhani Shah, The Yellow Diary, The Indian Jam Project, Taba Chake, and more, alongside emerging sensations like Akshath Acharya and Adi Dishaan. Anchoring the event is the charismatic Himanshu Chatwani, who promises to keep the energy high between matches and performances.

    Entertainment Consultant business head Aahana Mehta summed up the event’s vision, “WPBL is not just about sport—it’s about creating an immersive experience. By blending world-class pickleball with live entertainment, we’re redefining the way audiences engage with sports in India. It’s about making pickleball a celebration for all, not just the players.”

    The tournament’s six franchises—Mumbai Pickle Power, Pune United, Bengaluru Jawans (led by filmmaker Atlee), Chennai Super Champs (owned by Samantha Prabhu), Hyderabad Superstars, and Dilli Dillwale—will compete in a thrilling format culminating in the finals on 2 February 2025. Adding star power to the semi-finals will be a special exhibition match featuring legendary boxer Amir Khan, who will step onto the court for a memorable showdown.

    WPBL co-founder & CEO Gaurav Natekar shared his excitement, “The World Pickleball League is a movement as much as it is a tournament. We’re blending fast-paced athleticism with unparalleled fan engagement. This league is about making pickleball the next big thing in Indian sports, and the Brabourne Stadium will be the epicentre of this revolution.”

    The event will feature 12 matches, each paired with a stellar performance, ensuring every evening is a mix of edge-of-the-seat sporting action and unforgettable entertainment. WPBL has also partnered with Swiggy Scenes as its official ticketing partner, making it easier for fans to grab their spot at the event.

    Schedule highlights:

    .  24 January: Raja Kumari kicks off the league alongside Mumbai Pickle Power vs Pune United at 8 pm.

    .   26 January: Suhani Shah performs during Chennai Super Champs vs Dilli Dillwale.

    .   1 February: Semi-finals to feature a special exhibition match with Amir Khan.

    .  2 February: The Yellow Diary headlines the finals.

    The league isn’t just focused on elite competition. Through its grassroots tournaments in franchise cities, WPBL is committed to nurturing talent and building a strong foundation for pickleball in India. This initiative, spearheaded by Natekar Sports and Gaming, aims to inspire new players and foster a thriving pickleball community. And with Sony Corporation as a partner and support from the All-India Pickleball Association, WPBL is creating ripples in India’s sporting ecosystem.

  • Women of Music India: India’s much awaited women in music community

    Women of Music India: India’s much awaited women in music community

    Mumbai: The Women of Music India (WOMI) has officially opened its doors for membership. The foundation is a women-led community that aims to make the Indian music industry more accessible to women across the globe. In addition to artists across genres, WoMI also caters to the music workforce, from artist managers, executives, label heads to photographers, stylists, hair and make-up artists, journalists and more.

    Set up with the goal of amplifying voices of women from the ecosystem and open the door for the next generation of women entering the music industry. The membership will be free of cost to all persons who identify as women. On 23rd November, they launched a campaign that has garnered support across the board with the first cohort of members including artists like Jonita Gandhi, Jasleen Royal, Kamakshi Khanna and business executives Preeti Nayyar (SVP- brand partnerships, Universal Music Group), Ankita Maheshwari (GM – people manager, Sony Music India), Shreya Khaladkar (comms lead, Believe).  

    Speaking about the need for organizations like WOMI, early supporter and member, rapper Raja Kumari said, “It’s time for the mic to be passed on and let women take the lead too”.

    Another member of the community singer-songwriter Jasleen Royal expanded, “We should remove the barriers faced by women in the music industry, and that can only happen if we bring in more women ”.

    Execs and professionals from the music industry have pledged their support to help members get access to an extensive community of professionals, early access to opportunities, job listings, mentorship programs, industry-led workshops, and events across the country for networking.

    Universal Music Group  Sr VP brand partnerships Preeti Nayyar said, “We’re pooling in our resources, ideas and experience to allow more women to obtain the skills required to join the industry”.  

    Bluprint co-founder, Sweta Ojha said, “This initiative gives us the chance to build a community that can support each other and get more women a seat at the table across all areas of the music business”.

    As the Indian music industry is receiving more attention across global markets and continues to diversify, Women of Music India, is emerging as an outcome of this transforming landscape. With the purpose of making more voices in the industry heard, WoMI is a step towards change.