‘KOLAB’: Uniting Cultures Through Indo-Korean Music Collaboration

Photo: Pavel Danilyuk, courtesy of Pexels.

While the music festival season is in full swing and India is growing in popularity as a stage for major K-pop acts, the Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRS) and the Korean Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) have introduced KOLAB, “The Indo-Korean Music Collaboration Program,” which in the first place seeks to bridge cultural barriers through music.

A total of 15 artists, from India and South Korea, join KOLAB for a week from November 6–12, 2024, at The True School of Music, Vijaybhoomi University Campus, Jamrung, Maharashtra, to make music, working together on its creative processes, production, and new ideas. The “songwriting residency” is modeled to not only foster creative and commercial ties but also create new music that marries the diversity, styles, and vivid elements of Indian and Korean music.

KOLAB promises participants to nurture their musicianship while making songs under the direction of notable artists including Bunty Bains and Mayur Puri. A panel of industry specialists will hear these new tracks at the event finale conclave in Mumbai on November 13, thus giving the creators important exposure, inputs, and prospective opportunities.

“At IPRS, we are dedicated to creating a vibrant platform for music creators, empowering them with global exposure and collaborative opportunities that transcend borders. Our collaboration with KOMCA through KOLAB is a testament to our commitment to cultural bridging, seamlessly connecting the rich musical traditions of India and Korea,” says Mr. Rakesh Nigam, CEO of IPRS, citing the event press statement. He asserts, “We stand firm in our mission to protect the rights of artists, ensuring that their creative contributions are recognized and rewarded. Together, we are not just promoting music; we are fostering a thriving, interconnected community of artists.”

“Vijaybhoomi University is thrilled to host KOLAB—the first-of-its-kind Indo-Korean Songwriting Program—on its scenic & green campus in Jamrung, Maharashtra. […] This event signifies a new chapter in the expanding Indian music industry, fostering stronger ties between the two countries through the universal language of music,” adds Mr. Vinay Prabhakar, Dean of The True School of Music, Vijaybhoomi University.

Korean cultural exports, particularly K-pop and K-dramahave achieved a global audience with the expansion of Hallyu, or the Korean Wave. In terms of Korean music, K-pop has been increasingly gaining traction in India. Speaking of which, I feel KOLAB is a wonderful step; it raises awareness of India’s rich musical legacy while leveraging the appeal of Korean music through an inventive joint effort.

As Hallyu and cross-cultural exchanges proliferate even more, KOLAB presents a chance and most effectively an experience for a more meaningful cultural interaction—one that appreciates the musical cultures of India and Korea, and in the bargain, it encourages independent music, aids in growing a global artist community, and sets a precedent for creative synergies and musical creativity.