Mumbai to Host India's First Radio Festival on World Music Day
In a landmark celebration of World Music Day 2025, the Department of Cultural Affairs has announced the country’s first-ever creative and cultural Maharashtra Radio Festival along with the ‘Maharashtra Asha Radio Gaurav Puraskar 2025’. The event will be held on June 21 at 4:30 PM at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan Auditorium, Mumbai.
The announcement was made by Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar at a press conference. He stated that the initiative is a significant step towards recognizing the vital contribution of radio in shaping the social and cultural landscape of Maharashtra and India.
The grand ceremony will be attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who will also engage in a special interaction with radio presenters. A total of 12 prestigious radio awards will be distributed during the event.
Honoring Radio's Role in History
“This is a historic initiative that brings deserved glory to the radio industry,” said Adv. Shelar. “From India’s independence to the formation of Maharashtra, radio has played an important role. Be it All India Radio, private FM channels, or community radio stations—each has contributed immensely in various phases of media evolution,” he added.
Asha Bhosale’s Legacy Honored
Among the 12 awards, the highest honor—‘Asha Radio Gaurav Award’—will be named after Maharashtra Bhushan Asha Bhosale, an iconic figure in Indian music. The award recognizes her lifetime contribution to the field of music and broadcasting.
Musical Evening to Celebrate the Medium
The award ceremony will feature a vibrant cultural program in its second half, including songs, conversations, and storytelling revolving around radio. Renowned artists Sudesh Bhosale, Shrikant Narayan, and Sanjeevani Bhelande will perform at the event, celebrating the timeless charm of radio.
Minister Shelar emphasized that the festival and awards are not only meant to honor radio’s legacy but also to utilize the medium as a channel for promoting various government schemes and cultural initiatives. “Radio is a powerful medium for outreach, and we aim to leverage its potential through this initiative,” he said.
The Maharashtra Radio Festival and Asha Radio Awards 2025 mark a new chapter in India’s cultural narrative, placing radio back in the spotlight as a bridge between the government, culture, and the people.