Mumbai , 21 July – In a historic step toward protecting the creative legacy of India’s folk music community, The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS) is bringing its ‘My Music My Rights’ initiative to Sambalpur on July 26, 2025 at the Sambalpur Kala Parishad, Odisha. The copyright and royalty awareness workshop is set to honour Padmashree Mitrabhanu Gountia, the legendary lyricist behind one of India’s most beloved folk songs—“Rangabati.” He is a humble schoolteacher from Bilung village (now renamed Rangabati Bilung in his honour).

The event will be supported by INRECO (The Indian Record Manufacturing Company Ltd.), the Kolkata-based heritage music label that recorded and released Rangabati in 1979. Known for preserving and promoting Indian folk, classical, and regional sounds for over 100 years, INRECO played a pivotal role in giving Rangabati its national and global reach.

It was in 1963, with the opening of All India Radio in Sambalpur, that Gountia took a personal vow to write only in his mother tongue, Sambalpuri. Inspired by the words of poet Gangadhar Meher—“If you want to become great, first make your mother tongue great“—he went on to write over 1,000 songs, capturing the rhythm, sorrow, and soul of his land.

“I am an ardent worshipper of my mother tongue and have dedicated my life to the cause of Sambalpuri native literature,” says Gountia. “That stubbornness is not mine alone—it exists in every poet and writer of the soil of Western Odisha. We toil with determination. As the purity of gold is tested by touchstone, so is the quality of a creator known by time.”

The release of Rangabati in 1979 by INRECO marked a turning point in Indian folk music. First aired in 1978 on AIR Sambalpur, the song quickly became a cultural phenomenon—played at weddings, sung at fairs, and featured in Telugu cinema (Sri Ram, 2002), Bollywood (Kaun Kitne Paani Mein, 2015), and was showcased at the Republic Day tableau (2007), Radio Moscow, BBC London, the World Water Forum in South Korea, and performed live by Shankar Mahadevan at the 2017 Asian Athletics Championship in Bhubaneswar.

Yet, despite its popularity, the creators of Rangabati were often left out of commercial adaptations and not credited correctly in some instances. The workshop seeks to address this very gap—between fame and formal protection.

“Creators should not have to fight legal battles to claim what is rightfully theirs. They should be protected from the start,” said Mr. Rakesh Nigam CEO IPRS. “Folk music shouldn’t just be remembered—it should be respected, protected, and duly rewarded.”

Through this initiative, IPRS aims to ensure that folk creators—often ignorant about music rights and royalties—are equipped to understand and protect their creation. The workshop will feature sessions on:

• Copyright basics and the role of societies like IPRS in safeguarding the rights of authors,  

    composers and publishers

• Music Licensing and royalty mechanism

• On-ground membership enrolment queries with IPRS

• Helpdesk to resolve queries and provide tailored guidance

As Indian folk music continues to echo across global stages, initiatives like ‘My Music My Rights’ are vital to ensure that the voices behind the verses are heard, honoured, and empowered. This event marks not just a celebration of heritage, but a movement toward recognition, rightful ownership and fair remuneration for India’s folk creators.

Event Details:

My Music My Rights

Presented by IPRS in association with INRECO (The Indian Record Manufacturing Company Ltd.)

Date: 26th July 2025 | Time:  2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Venue: Sambalpur Kala Parishad, Municipality Chowk, Sambalpur – 768001

Guest of Honour: Padmashree Mitrabhanu Gountia

Marked by strategic shifts and progressive performance in viewership in the Indian television landscape, Sony PAL, the Free-to-Air (FTA) Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) from Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), has emerged as the fastest growing channel in Hindi Speaking Markets (HSM). By strategically leveraging popular content and making it accessible through FTA, Sony PAL has successfully captured a significant audience share and achieved substantial and fastest growth in the competitive Indian television market. 

The channel has demonstrated remarkable growth in viewership, solidifying its position as a leader in reach among Free-to-Air (FTA) Hindi General Entertainment Channels (GECs). Recent BARC data indicates that Sony PAL reaches a staggering 192 million viewers, the highest among all FTA Hindi GECs in the last 13 weeks (Source: BARC, NCCS 15+, Week 14-26, ‘2025, Cume Reach in Millions, FTA HGEC Channels). This impressive performance is further highlighted by its significant resonance in markets. Sony PAL is ranked 1 in reach for 9 out of 13 weeks (Source: BARC, NCCS 15+, Week 14-26, ‘2025, Cume Reach in Millions, FTA HGEC Channels).

This success is largely attributed to its strategic decision to offer popular, family-friendly content, including iconic shows like Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Vighnahatha Ganesha and The Kapil Sharma Show, for the first time in the FTA space. This blend of accessibility and popular programming has driven its consistent top performance, marking it as a culturally relevant and increasingly popular choice across Indian households.

With a commitment to deliver wholesome, family-friendly entertainment, Sony PAL continues to resonate with viewers across India. Its accessible, free-to-air format ensures that quality content reaches every household, reinforcing its growing popularity and cultural relevance.

Sony PAL’s success story is a testament to its strategic vision, audience-first approach, and enduring appeal in the Indian television landscape.

In the world of fashion, where lights shine bright and applause fades fast, one name stands out not just for her runway presence but for her rooted purpose—Jitika Devi, a proud Gorkhali girl from Dayang Mukh, Assam.

Starting her journey in 2015 with a dream and determination, Jitika made her mark purely through self-effort, without any external support or backing. Over the past decade, she has walked in more than 40 runway shows, becoming a familiar and celebrated face in major fashion weeks across India.

Runway Achievements:

Her portfolio includes appearances in top fashion events such as:

• North East India Fashion Week (Assam)
• Fashion Week Lucknow
• Couture Runway Week (Delhi) – 3 consecutive years
• Assam Couture Week, Delhi
• Mr and Miss North India (Delhi)
• Patna Fashion Week
• Pride of India (Delhi)
• Asian Designer Week (Delhi)

…and many more across the country.

Jitika’s elegance, confidence, and cultural grace make her a showstopper not just on stage, but in the hearts of her audience. Her efforts were recognized when she received an award from actress Himanshi Khurana, further boosting her presence in the Indian fashion community.

The Brand – JITIKD: More Than Fashion

What sets Jitika apart is her vision beyond modeling. She founded her own fashion label, JITIKD, not just as a brand but as a platform to:

• Promote traditional and cultural heritage
• Provide opportunities to aspiring models
• Uplift communities through social work

Jitika donates 40% of her modeling and brand earnings towards social causes. Whether it’s supporting underprivileged children, or organizing fashion-based cultural events, she remains deeply committed to giving back.

Empowering the Future

JITIKD is also a stepping stone for new and upcoming models, especially those from the Northeast, who often struggle to find a platform in mainstream fashion. Her aim is to create a nurturing space for talent, rooted in pride of tradition and modern professionalism.

Final Word

From a small town in Assam to major runways in Delhi, Patna, and beyond, Jitika Devi has redefined success through grit, grace, and generosity. Her story is a testament that with focus and heart, one can not only shine—but help others shine too.

For Jitika, the journey has just begun:
“Without anyone’s support, I reached this position through hard work—and for me, that is success. I will do much more.”