NEW DELHI, 1st May, 2025 (WAM) -- India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has signalled his country’s intention to set up WAVES global awards for art and creativity, which will aim to match similar honours like the Oscars and the Grammys.
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated WAVES, the groundbreaking World Audio-Visual and Entertainment Summit, in Mumbai on May 1st.
“Many exciting waves are yet to come, and the WAVES Awards will be launched in future, establishing those as the most prestigious honours in the world of art and creativity,” Modi said in his inaugural address. “The goal is to win the hearts of people across the world and inspire generations through creativity.”
Artistic creators from 90 countries, along 10,000 delegates are attending the four-day Summit, which is India’s biggest entertainment event in 2025 hosted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting here.
The Prime Minister invited the global creative community to come to India and explore India’s rich story-telling traditions which carry themes and emotions that transcend borders and create natural and meaningful worldwide connections.
“India is not only home to a billion-plus population but also to a billion-plus stories,” Modi said. These have offered fertile grounds for creativity for at least 2,000 years with “the power of art shaping emotions and human experiences.”
Between the 4th and 5th centuries, ancient Indian poet and playwright, Kalidasa, pioneered classical drama through his play Abhijnana-Shakuntalam. About two centuries before him, Indian music theorist Bharata Muni authored an authoritative treatise for ancient Indian dances and music.
WAVES seeks to blend those long traditions with the contemporary culture of Bollywood in Mumbai where most Indian films are produced.