GANGTOK, : Sikkim
is set to showcase the vibrant Tamang Selo performance at
the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, hosted by
the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting at the Jio World
Convention Centre (JWCC), located at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai
from May 1 to 4.
Sikkim’s Tamang Selo performance is scheduled for May 3.
“WAVES 2025 is a premier global summit hosted by the Government of India, aiming to spotlight India’s thriving Media and Entertainment (M&E) sector. It brings together international leaders, creators, innovators, and investors to shape the future of the industry worldwide. India occupies a dominant position in M&E, with talent spread across the country, creating compelling content through its rich cultural heritage. It is poised to become one of the global leaders in the M&E sector. The summit will promote India as a one-stop destination for content creation, an investment hub, and a platform to leverage ‘Create in India’ opportunities and global outreach. WAVES is a key forum for promoting discussion, collaboration, and innovation in the M&E industry,” said Assistant Director, PIB/AIR Gangtok, Manas Pratim Sarma at a press meet held here on Friday.
Sarma added that the vision is to establish WAVES as a leading global platform for the M&E industry, positioning India as a powerhouse of creativity, innovation, and content creation.
IPR Senior DIO Sarojani Subba expressed that WAVES is a huge opportunity for creators from Sikkim to participate, as several big names from different sectors are connected to WAVES 2025. “WAVES will help take Sikkim’s culture and traditions to greater heights,” she added.
As the world gathers for WAVES 2025, India will proudly unveil the Bharat Pavilion, a vibrant tribute to the country’s profound storytelling legacy and its growing influence in the global M&E landscape.
Guided by the theme ‘Kala to Code’, the pavilion will celebrate India’s spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, ‘the world is one family’, and demonstrate how the nation’s artistic traditions have long served as a beacon of creativity, harmony, and cultural diplomacy.
Rooted in legacy and driven by innovation, India now looks toward the future—ready to lead the world in storytelling, technology, and transformative cultural exchange.
At the core of the Bharat Pavilion are four immersive zones: Shruti – spotlighting oral traditions, from Vedic chants and folk ballads to classical music, radio, and the spoken word; Kriti – highlighting written legacies, from cave engravings and palm-leaf manuscripts to print media, literature, and publishing; Drishti – exploring visual expressions, from ancient dance, puppetry, and folk theatre to cinema, TV, and digital storytelling; and
Creator’s Leap – showcasing the future of storytelling with cutting-edge technology.
Through these zones, visitors will witness how India’s timeless narratives have evolved into powerful modern media formats. From the echoes of Om to the beat of the tabla, from Bhimbetka’s symbols to digital screens, from Nataraja’s dance to cinematic blockbusters, the pavilion is a living archive of India’s storytelling journey.
But this is more than a cultural showcase. It’s a declaration of India’s creative strength and future-forward vision. With numerous OTT platforms, a tech-savvy mobile-first audience, world-class VFX, gaming and animation studios, and a thriving startup ecosystem, India is among the fastest-growing media and entertainment markets globally.
The Bharat Pavilion will serve as a dynamic platform for creators, collaborators, and change makers across the M&E landscape. It offers stakeholders a unique opportunity to connect with India’s talent, advanced storytelling technologies, and expanding market potential. Beyond showcasing cultural heritage, it reflects the strong government support for cross-cultural partnerships and investment, positioning India as a global centre for creative innovation.
Bharat Pavilion at WAVES 2025 is where ancient inspiration meets cutting-edge innovation. With its cultural depth, creative talent, and technological excellence, India is poised to lead the global M&E space, ready to captivate and inspire the world.
WAVES is also being supported by top Bollywood actors, who will be part of the summit.Anyone interested can register via the WAVES2025 website.
Key objectives of WAVES 2025
Fostering global collaborations
Driving investments into India’s creative economy
Showcasing technological advancements
Developing the M&E ecosystem
Key themes and focus industries
Media globalisation
The future of content creation and distribution
Technological disruptions (AI, AR/VR/XR, metaverse)
Evolution of gaming and immersive experiences
Film, broadcasting, animation, VFX, gaming, music, digital media, advertising, print, radio, comics, and associated technologies
The summit will feature:
Conference sessions (keynotes, panels)
Exhibitions showcasing M&E innovations
WAVES Bazaar – a media marketplace
WAVEX – startup pitching sessions
Masterclasses and workshops
The ‘Create in India Challenge’ finale
Networking events, cultural evenings, and performances
WAVEX (WaveXcelerator) is a startup program featuring live pitching by early-stage Indian startups in the M&E and AVGC-XR space, connecting them with top investors.
WAVES Bazaar is a global e-marketplace for the M&E industry, offering a platform to connect, collaborate, and grow. Attendees can interact with buyers, sellers, projects, showcase skills, and expand their networks.
The flagship initiative, the ‘Create in India Challenge,’ includes 32 challenges across domains like film, music, animation, and AI, where finalists will present their work at the summit.