Mumbai: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the country's plan to establish WAVES global awards for art and creativity, aspiring to parallel renowned accolades like the Oscars and the Grammys.
According to Emirates News Agency, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the World Audio-Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai on May 1st. During his inaugural address, he highlighted the forthcoming launch of the WAVES Awards, which aim to become the most prestigious honors in the world of art and creativity. The initiative seeks to captivate global audiences and inspire future generations through creativity.
The Summit, India's largest entertainment event in 2025, is hosted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and has drawn artistic creators from 90 countries, alongside 10,000 delegates for the four-day event. Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to the global creative community to explore India's rich storytelling traditions, which feature themes and emotions that resonate universally, fostering natural and meaningful global connections.
Modi emphasized India's vast repository of narratives, stating, "India is not only home to a billion-plus population but also to a billion-plus stories." He noted that these stories have provided a fertile ground for creativity for over two millennia, with art significantly shaping emotions and human experiences.
Historically, India has been a cradle of artistic innovation. Between the 4th and 5th centuries, the ancient Indian poet and playwright Kalidasa pioneered classical drama through his play Abhijnana-Shakuntalam. Even earlier, Indian music theorist Bharata Muni authored a comprehensive treatise on ancient Indian dances and music. WAVES aims to integrate these long-standing traditions with Mumbai's contemporary Bollywood culture, the hub of Indian film production.