GiMA Awards Music Festival Get a Fresh Start in 2027: Reimagining India’s Music Culture

GiMA Awards Music Festival Get a Fresh Start in 2027;
Reimagining India’s Music Culture for a New Generation

Wizcraft Entertainment Announces the Return of the Global Indian Music Academy Awards (GiMA), in a new avatar at the 10th Edition of All About Music in Mumbai

Mumbai, August 25, 2026: The sound of India is changing. So is GiMA. The Global Indian Music Academy Awards (GiMA), India’s most-respected pioneering music award platform, is set to return in 2027 in a new avatar, Wizcraft Entertainment Agency announced today at the 10th edition of All About Music in Mumbai.

Marking a new chapter for the Indian music industry, Global Indian Music Academy, GiMA announced its return in 2027 in a new avatar at the 10th edition of All About Music, in the presence of leading creators, industry experts and key decision-makers shaping India’s evolving music ecosystem.

Global hip hop sensation Raja Kumari and globally recognised Rajasthani folk singer-composer, Mame Khan, held the GiMA trophy aloft marking the launch alongside GiMA Founders Sabbas Joseph, Andre Timmins and Viraf Sarkari.

Celebrating the magical moment, Sabbas Joseph, Co-Founder, GiMA, commented, “GiMA was created to give Indian music a platform of its own. Over the last decade, the way music is created, discovered, consumed and celebrated has transformed dramatically. Today, regional sounds travel globally, independent artists can build audiences without borders while creators and platforms are shaping music culture in entirely new ways. We believe it’s time to create a platform that both provides a platform for showcasing, connecting talent and to honour the best. We are excited to announce that GiMA returns in 2027, in a new avatar that celebrates where Indian music has come from and, more importantly, where it is going.”

Mame Khan, acclaimed Rajasthani folk musician, said, “GiMA has always represented something very special to me, a platform where the many voices of Indian music can come together and be celebrated. We’ve missed GiMA. To see GiMA return is incredibly exciting, because India’s music is so much bigger than any one genre or language. From our folk traditions and regional sounds to contemporary and independent music, every voice has a story to tell. I am honoured to be part of this new chapter of GiMA and to see Indian music being celebrated not just across the country, but on a truly global stage.”

Raja Kumari, Grammy-nominated Indian-American rapper, singer and songwriter, added “Music has no borders, and India has never had just one sound. What makes this moment for GiMA so exciting is its opportunity to bring together the incredible diversity of Indian music, from the sounds rooted in our traditions to the new voices, genres and creators shaping what comes next. Being part of the GiMA’s launch is meaningful because it feels like we are not just celebrating where Indian music has been, but opening the door to where it is going. I’m excited to be part of that journey and to see Indian music connect with audiences around the world.”

First launched in 2010, GiMA has been created to recognise and celebrate excellence across India’s diverse music landscape, bringing together film, non-film music and traditional music on a dedicated platform. After six editions, GiMA returns with a renewed vision that reflects the dramatic evolution of India’s music ecosystem reflecting changes in which audiences discover, experience and celebrate music.

Global music. Untold stories. Limitless discovery. From the sounds you know to the ones you are about to discover, GiMA’s new chapter will celebrate the extraordinary breadth of Indian music: film, non-film, traditional, regional and independent, while creating a platform for new voices, new cultures and new collaborations.

From India to the world, and from the world to India, GiMA aims to bring together the diverse sounds, stories and talent that are shaping the future of music.

India’s music ecosystem today is more diverse, connected and global than ever before. Regional sounds are crossing borders, independent artists are building audiences beyond traditional pathways, creators are influencing discovery and digital platforms are reshaping how music reaches listeners around the world.

GiMA’s return in 2027 aims to reflect this transformation, building on the legacy of the original Global Indian Music Academy while creating a platform designed for the way music is discovered, experienced and celebrated today. Moving beyond the traditional awards-show format, GiMA will evolve into a digital-first music culture platform, bringing together film, non-film, traditional, regional, independent and emerging music through original content, discovery, collaborations, live experiences and awards.

At its heart, GiMA’s new chapter will continue to be guided by three core principles: Honouring Talent, Uniting Cultures and Inspiring Generations, while championing the evolving sound and cultural identity of India.

Create. Connect. Collaborate. From the Sounds You Know to the Ones You’re About to Discover. GiMA aims to bring about greater integration across genres and open up the Indian music landscape by promoting Indian talent on a global platform, providing artists and creators with opportunities to showcase their voices, realise their ambitions and reach new audiences. The platform will also seek to engage with the wider music industry and address conversations and issues relevant to the growth and progress of the music ecosystem.

The Global Indian Music Academy Awards (GiMA) will embrace the full breadth of India’s contemporary music culture, from regional music and independent artists to emerging talent, creator-led music and internet-native sounds, while creating opportunities for collaboration and discovery across genres and communities.

One platform. One mega celebration. A new chapter for Indian music.A Legacy of Celebrating Talent and Creating Cultural Moments. Since its inception, GiMA has created memorable moments that have brought together some of India’s most celebrated musical voices, artists and cultural icons.

At the inaugural GiMA Awards in 2010, legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising her extraordinary contribution to Indian music and positioning her as an inspiration for generations of musicians. Shankar Mahadevan fronted “Ek Pyaar ka Nagma” performed with colleague-composers, Ehsaan-Loy, Uttam Singh, Salim-Sulaiman, Shantanu Moitra, Lesley Lewis, Raju Singh, AR Rahman joined Asha Bhosle on stage to present the honour to Lataji.

GiMA celebrated landmark musical collaborations, including Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy with the Shillong Chamber Choir, with the acclaimed trio marking 20 years of their musical journey through a special collaboration.

GiMA created powerful musical tributes, including a tribute to Pyarelal jiin 2011 featuring Sonu Nigam and Shah Rukh Khan, with Pyarelal ji conducting the orchestra.

GiMA also commemorated 20 years of A.R. Rahman’s musical journey through a special tribute featuring performances by Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, Naresh Iyer, Shaan, Mohit Chauhan, Hariharan, Kavita Krishnamurthi, Alka Yagnik, Sadhana Sargam and Udit Narayan.

GiMA also provided a platform for artists to explore new dimensions of their creative identities. Shraddha Kapoor’s GiMA 2015 moment, where she received recognition for her singing performance of “Galliyan”, became an important moment in her journey into music culture.

Ranveer Singh also hosted his first-ever live show at GiMA, alongside performing a rap tribute to the music industry.

These moments reflect GiMA’s original purpose: to bring together talent, genres and generations, while creating a space where music can move beyond boundaries.

From India to the World. From the World to India. As Indian music continues to find audiences across borders, GiMA seeks to champion the growing global influence of India’s musical identity. Regional sounds. Hybrid genres. Diaspora audiences. Creator collaborations. Internet-native music. India is no longer creating music only for India. It is creating music and culture for a global audience, while simultaneously welcoming sounds, influences and collaborations from across the world.

GiMA’s new chapter will embrace this cultural exchange, bringing together new voices, new cultures and unseen collaborations, and creating opportunities for artists and audiences to discover what comes next. The return of GiMA marks a significant new chapter for the music platform. Originally established by Wizcraft in 2010, GiMA built its legacy by bringing film, non-film and traditional music together while recognising talent across multiple genres and musical forms.

With its 2027 return, GiMA seeks to take that legacy forward for a new generation, celebrating the evolving sound of India and its growing influence on global music culture.

The sound of India is changing. So is GiMA. 
Film. Non-film. Regional. Independent.
New voices. New cultures. New possibilities.    
Create. Connect. Collaborate.  
GiMA returns in 2027.  
Further details, including the date, venue and other announcements, will be revealed at a later stage.