Virat Kohli during an India-Pakistan match in 2019 | Photo courtesy: BCCI X handle. Photo Courtesy: BCCI X page
The Indian and Pakistani cricket boards have agreed to play future ICC tournaments in a hybrid model, a decision that may end the deadlock over hosting Champions Trophy next year.
Pakistan is set to host the ICC event in 2025.
The future of the tournament remained uncertain after India decided not to send its team to Pakistan citing security reasons.
The two boards held dialogue on Saturday after the International Cricket Council had convened a meeting on Friday and came to a consensus on a hybrid model for the Feb 19-March 9 Champions Trophy after the Indian government refused to allow its team to travel to Pakistan but the PCB has stressed that it will also like the same model to be applied for its team when tournaments are held on the other side of the border in the next three years, reported BCCI.
India is scheduled to host several ICC events in the upcoming years including the 50-over World Cup in 2031.
The final approval on the hybrid model will be given by ICC.
Pakistan had travelled to India for the 50-over World Cup last year.
India, however, did not travel to the neighbouring nation and opted to play their matches in Sri Lanka during Asia Cup.
This is the first major ICC event Pakistan is hosting since it co-hosted the World Cup in 1996.
“Yes the past experience is bitter for Pakistan and the ICC has to give a solid guarantee that the hybrid model will be implemented in letter and spirit in future and no Pakistan team will go to India to play any matches of the ICC events and on the same pattern the Indian team will not come to Pakistan” a source in the PCB told Dawn.
Singapore Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Madam Ho Ching doing “#jalanjalan along Qianmen Street to take in the lively atmosphere” of this part of Beijing. Photo courtesy: X/@leehsienloong
Singapore’s senior statesman, former prime minister and current Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong explored culture in China as much as he connected with Chinese politics and business on his recent official visit, which was timed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Singapore-China flagship government project, Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP).
Posting a series of images on his X account, signed “LHL”, at the end of his six-day visit, SM Lee wrote: “Took a #jalanjalan at the lively Yuyuan Old Street in the evening. Every corner is captivating as the traditional Chinese buildings are illuminated with beautiful lights.” The phrase “jalan jalan” is Singlish — that is, Singapore English — for “taking a stroll”.
Yuyuan Old Street/LHLYuyuan Old Street/LHLTraditional Chinese buildings at Yuyuan Old Street. Photo courtesy: X/@leehsienloong
Cultural similarities abound between Singapore and China, but the push and pull of global diplomacy and the global economy mean that Singapore will have to work extra-hard to maintain its ties with China, especially after the result of the recent presidential election in the United States of America.
Speaking in Shanghai, on the last leg of his China trip, SM Lee told the media, as reported by The Straits Times, that Singapore would have to wait and watch what happened between China and the United States once the new Donald Trump administration took office.
“We know what their basic attitudes are, and the basic contradictions between the US and China remain… Therefore, in this troubled environment, we want to be friends with all sides and to have mutually beneficial relations with all sides,” he said in Shanghai, as quoted by ST.
Lee Hsien Loong visits Agibot, a startup based in Shanghai. Photo courtesy: X/@leehsienloong
During his China trip, SM Lee met Chinese President Xi Jinping, and he expressed optimism on X that the “4G team” in Singapore — meaning the government led by Lawrence Wong, the fourth prime minister of Singapore — would “continue to work well with the Chinese leaders to expand bilateral cooperation”.
The ST report said that Lee Hsien Loong, who was the Prime Minister of Singapore for 20 years, had “visited China 14 times, making him one of the most frequent visiting foreign leaders”.
Lee Hsien Loong also met Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining as well as Singaporean business leaders in China. He visited Agibot, a startup based in Shanghai.
Lee Hsien Loong visits Xiaomi’s Electric Vehicle (EV) factory in Beijing. Photo courtesy: X/@leehsienloong
Towards the end of his official trip, SM Lee met overseas Singaporeans. He posted on X: “Delighted to catch up with overseas Singaporeans based in the Yangtze River Delta region yesterday! I was happy to hear about their experiences living in China, and hope they will continue to thrive and fly our flag high!”
Lee Hsien Loong with overseas Singaporeans. Photo courtesy: X/@leehsienloong
30 years of the first Singapore-China G2G project
Suzhou Industrial Park is one of the major outcomes of the close ties between Singapore and China. This mixed-use development spans industries, leisure, education, culture, and more.
Panoramic view of Suzhou Industrial Park. Photo courtesy: X/@leehsienloong
In his speech at the Suzhou Industrial Park 30th Anniversary Commemorative Event on 25 November 2024, SM Lee recalled how, in 1994, Singapore and China established SIP with a “meeting of minds and shared political will”. This venture was the first Government-to-Government (G2G) project between the two countries.
Lee Hsien Loong at Suzhou Industrial Park. Photo courtesy: X/@leehsienloong
Looking back at the decades that led to this project, SM Lee said, “The story of [Suzhou Industrial Park] traces back to 1978, when [China’s national leader] Mr Deng Xiaoping visited Singapore. After seeing what Singapore had done, Mr Deng felt that China could adapt elements of Singapore’s development experience to its own reform and development journey. Years later, during his 1992 Southern Tour, Mr Deng reiterated this message.
“On Singapore’s part, [Singapore’s first prime minister] Mr Lee Kuan Yew was likewise keen to see how we could support China’s development. Mr Lee happened to visit Suzhou in 1992 and saw its potential role in China’s reform and development. With this meeting of minds and shared political will, China and Singapore established the SIP in 1994. The aim was to develop a high-quality industrial township in China, to be a vehicle to adapt Singapore’s experience of economic development, investment promotion, and urban planning to China’s national circumstances.”
Lee Hsien Loong delivers his speech at the Suzhou Industrial Park 30th Anniversary Commemorative Event on 25 November 2024. Photo courtesy: X/@leehsienloong
During his current official visit, Lee Hsien Loong reiterated the message of Singapore and China working together. The ST report quoted him as saying in Shanghai, “If we want to make a success of Singapore, we should be able to work with [China], certainly not to neglect them, and least of all to be at odds with them, if at all possible.”
Woman journalist faces harassment in Bangladesh. Photo Courtesy: Video grab from X
Bangladeshi woman TV journalist Munni Saha was mobbed and briefly detained by a mob in the country’s capital city Dhaka on Saturday who accused her of spreading misinformation and doing everything to ‘make the nation a part of India’.
A police team later reached the spot and took her into custody.
According to Bangladeshi media reports, Saha is an accused in a July mass uprising case.
The mass protest over a job quota row in the country led to the toppling of former PM Sheikh Hasina’s regime on August 5.
Saha was released conditionally in the wee hours on Sunday after being taken to Tejgaon Police Station during the night for security reasons.
কারওয়ানবাজার থেকে সাংবাদিক মুন্নী সাহা গ্রেপ্তার | Munni Saha Arrest | Channel 24 pic.twitter.com/xq7x0HHkzd
The police, however, claimed its forces did not detain her.
“Police did not detain her. People detained her and then handed her over to the police,” Rezaul Karim Mallick, additional commissioner (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told The Daily Star.
“The Tejgaon police first took her to the police station. She was moved to the DB police compound for security reasons,” he said.
“Munni Saha had a panic attack and fell ill. Considering her condition and that she is a female journalist, we released her under section 497 of the Criminal Procedure Code,” Mallick said.
She was handed over to her family on bond and she must appear in court to seek bail and comply with future police summons, he said.
The Section 497 of the CrPC of the South Asian country allows the release on bail of any person under the age of 16 years or any woman or any sick or infirm person accused of an offence punishable with death.
Saha mainly worked at ATN News.
She was the news head of ATN News, a news broadcasting TV channel in Bangladesh.
Saha faced heckling amid rising atrocities against Hindu community in the country after the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led government.
It is suspected that foreign hands were at play in orchestrating the unrest and planning Hasina’s ouster.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus-led government took charge of the country just three days after Hasina exited the country.
Yunus, known for his closeness to the US Democrats, also accepted later in an event in America that there was “design and conspiracy” involved in the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladesh has been witnessing intense protests by minority community members after Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested last week on sedition charges.
Sai Teja Nukarapu came to the US 3 months ago and worked part-time at the shopping mall. Photo Courtesy: Video grab
Sai Teja Nukarapu, a 22-year-old student from Telangana, was shot dead by armed robbers at a shopping mall in Chicago, USA, on Friday, media reports said.
Teja, a resident of Khammam district, was working part-time at the mall’s cash counter when the attackers opened fire and looted cash.
He died on the spot, reported India Today.
Teja had moved to the US three months ago to pursue an MBA after completing his BBA in India, according to the report.
The Consulate General of India’s office in Chicago described the incident as “shocking” and demanded immediate action against the culprits.
This incident comes just days after another Indian student from Telangana, 23-year-old Aryan Reddy, accidentally fatally shot himself on his birthday in Atlanta, Georgia.
In related news, US consular data revealed that India has overtaken China as the top source of international students in the US for the 2023-24 academic year. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh contributed 56% of these students, with Telangana alone accounting for 34% and Andhra Pradesh 22%.
According to US Consular Chief Rebekah Drame, over 47,000 student visa interviews were conducted in Hyderabad during the summer of 2024, a significant increase from 35,000 the previous year.
Public Affairs Officer Alexander McLaren noted that nearly 3.3 lakh Indian students traveled to the US last year, with most opting for master’s programs.
Young boys displaced by conflict in Syria stand in front of a shelter. Photo Courtesy: WFP
Rebel forces have taken control of the ‘majority’ of Syria’s Aleppo city, as per UK-based monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
The governor of Aleppo and the leadership of police and security branches withdrew from the centre of the city, and regime forces and reinforcement escaped from the city to Al-Safirah area, read the SOHR website.
Triggering conflict, a rebel alliance launched a surprise attack this week.
It is the first time Syrian rebels have entered Aleppo city since the government forces regained control over the region during the 2016 Civil War.
By Saturday morning, rebel fighters had taken control of large swathes of the city, according to footage geolocated by American news channel CNN.
The rebels reportedly faced limited resistance from Syrian forces.
Several residents inside Aleppo told CNN that there has been minimal fighting in the city’s urban areas.
Kurdish forces have also expanded their control of some neighbourhoods of Aleppo, residents told the news channel.
As per Syrian Observatory for Human Rights website, a Russian fighter jet launched an airstrike with three missiles on military headquarters that included a group of members of the “Joint Forces” of the Turkish-backed “National Army”, on the outskirts of Marae’ City in northern Aleppo countryside.
The website claimed over 300 people died since the offensive started on Wednesday.
Armed conflicts have been going on in Syria since 2011.
Separate terror groups have been operating in various parts of the nation ever since the army liberated most parts of the country.
Second Hindu monk arrested in Bangladesh. Photo Courtesy: Radharamn Das X page
A Hindu monk has been arrested in Bangladesh, days after spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das was put behind bars, triggering massive protests by the minority community members in the South Asian nation.
The arrested Hindu monk was identified as Shyam Das Prabhu.
He was arrested without any official warrant, sources told Indian news channel NDTV.
Radharamn Das, Vice-President and Spokesperson, ISKCON Kolkata, shared an image of the arrested monk on his X handle and wrote: “Another Brahmachari Sri Shyam Das Prabhu was arrested by Chattogram Police today.”
Temples vandalised in Chittagong
At least three Hindu temples were vandalised by a group of slogan-shouting attackers in Chittagong on Friday, a Bangladeshi city which has been witnessing massive protests by minority community members over the arrest of former ISKCON member Chinmoy Krishna Das.
The attack occurred around 2:30pm at the Harish Chandra Munsef Lane, where the Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, the nearby Shoni Temple, and Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple were targeted, reported bdnews24.
Temple authorities told the news portal that a large number of slogan-shouting mob threw brickbats at the temples which damaged the Shoni Temple and the gates of the other two Hindu temples.
Police told bdnews24 website that the damage to the temples was minimal after the confrontation between the two sides, with both groups throwing brickbats at each other.
Tapan Das, a permanent member of the Shantineshwari Main Temple management committee, and a leader of the Harish Chandra Munsef Lane community, told bdnews24.com: “A procession of hundreds arrived after the Juma prayers. They started shouting anti-Hindu and anti-ISKCON slogans.”
“The attackers began hitting the main gate of the Shantaneshwari Temple, and threw brickbats. At the time, they vandalised the Shoni Temple and also attacked the Kali Temple. Several nearby shops were also targeted,” he said.
“We did not obstruct the attackers. When the situation worsened, we called the army, who arrived quickly and helped restore order. All the temple gates were closed before noon. The miscreants arrived unprovoked and carried out the attack,” he said.
Bangladesh is once again witnessing turmoil since Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested recently, triggering massive protests by minority community members in the country.
Bangladesh has been struggling for the past several months since a massive anti-job quota demonstration forced former PM Sheikh Hasina-led government to topple, ending her new term prematurely and leaving the country amid a political crisis.
It is suspected that foreign hands were at play in orchestrating the unrest and planning her ouster.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus-led government took charge of the country just three days after Hasina exited the country. Yunus, known for his closeness to the US Democrats, also accepted later in an event in America that there was “design and conspiracy” involved in the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.
India, Singapore’s joint military exercise concludes. Photo Courtesy: PIB
The 13th edition of Joint Military Exercise Agni Warrior (XAW-2024), a bilateral exercise between the Indian Army and Singapore Armed Forces, concluded at Field Firing Ranges, Devlali (Maharashtra) on Saturday.
The three-day exercise, which was conducted from November 28 to 30, witnessed participation by the Singapore Armed Forces contingent comprising 182 personnel from the Singapore Artillery and the Indian Army contingent comprising 114 personnel from the Regiment of Artillery.
“The aim of XAW-2024 was to maximise mutual understanding of drills and procedures to achieve jointness as a multinational force under the United Nations Charter,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
The exercise showcased joint firepower planning, execution and use of New Generation Equipment by the Artillery of both Armies.
The event was witnessed by Lieutenant General Adosh Kumar, Director General of Artillery, Lieutenant General NS Sarna, Commandant, School of Artillery, and Colonel Ong Chiou Perng, Chief Artillery Officer, Singapore Armed Forces. The dignitaries appreciated the participating troops for displaying high levels of professional acumen and expertise.
The exercise involved extensive joint preparation, coordination, understanding of each other’s capabilities, procedures and evolution of common interface between Indian and Singapore Artillery procedures.
It marked the culmination of successful training by Singapore Armed Forces troops exposing them to intricacies of Fire Power planning.
Both sides utilised niche technologies during the exercise and exchanged best practices as part of the joint training.
The National Gallery Singapore will feature over 200 artworks and artefacts across four sections in the first part of its new long-term exhibition, Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art in the revamped DBS Singapore Gallery, which will open on December 2.
Installation view. Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art. Photo: Connected to India
Speaking to Connected to India, Teo Hui Min, the Curator at National Gallery Singapore, calls it an “expansive exhibition”, which is “a wonderful way for not just Singaporeans, but tourists as well to really discover Singapore through art”.
The exhibition examines how artists created art while addressing themes such as colonialism, urban change, and globalisation — experimenting in both medium and expression and underscoring the dynamic evolution of Singapore art.
Installation view. Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art. Photo: Connected to India
It’ll feature masterpieces and new artworks from the National Collection, alongside loans from private and institutional collections.
The first part of Singapore Stories delves into Singapore’s art history from the 19th century to the 1960s, tracing pivotal historical moments, including colonialism, and Singapore’s independence and urban development. This section celebrates key artists who embraced innovation, experimentation, and a search for identity during these transformative years. Featured artists include Chen Wen Hsi, Georgette Chen, Cheong Soo Pieng, Dora Gordine, Liu Kang, Annaratnam Gunaratnam, S. Mahdar, P. Ramlee, and more.
Asked about the works of the Ten Men Art Group, which is one of the prominent features of the exhibition, Hui Min told Connected to India’s Himanshu Verma that it was a strategy for the National Gallery to “also think beyond the national borders of Singapore”.
“For us, particularly at the National Gallery, we are very conscious of the role in which the neighbours around us have been so central to the way our own identities have been formed,” the curator said.
The Ten Men Art Group was the brainchild of Yen Chi Wei. It was an informal grouping of artists whose common interest was to participate in field trips to various places in the South East Asian region. The group organised a total of six trips to the Malayan peninsula, Java, Bali, Thailand, Cambodia, Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Sumatra between 1961 and 1970. Of its members, only Yeh Chi Wei and Choo Keng Kwang went on all six trips followed by Lim Tze Peng and Seah Kim Joo who participated in most of them. Even though named Ten Men Art Group, their membership had increased to sixteen in its fifth outing.
Dr. Eugene Tan, Chief Executive Officer and Director of National Gallery Singapore, says, “The Gallery reaches a significant milestone with its 10th anniversary in 2025. This date also marks a decade since we launched Siapa Nama Kamu? Art in Singapore since the 19th Century, which introduced Singapore’s modern and contemporary art to both local and international audiences.”
Our new exhibition, Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art, builds on this foundation to expand the narrative and deepen public appreciation of Singapore’s art, artists, and artistic heritage. This preview offers a glimpse of our upcoming long-term exhibition, which will expand to fill the entire second level of the Gallery’s City Hall Wing in July 2025 – just in time for Singapore’s 60th birthday celebrations.
– Dr. Eugene Tan, Chief Executive Officer and Director of National Gallery Singapore.
Installation view. Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art. Photo: Connected to India
The first part of the exhibition is divided into four sections and opens with Market of the Tropics. This section portrays 19th-century Singapore as a vibrant hub for trade and cultural exchange. Visual depictions of Singapore in prints, paintings, and photographs emphasise Singapore’s colonial-era economic potential as a trading port and marketed its cultural diversity and image of a quiet fishing village as a tourist destination. Visitors can see rare posters that promoted the industrious railways connecting the region which served to entice tourists and market commercial exports such as tinned pineapples.
Installation view. Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art. Photo: Connected to India
The second section, Community and Self, explores how local artists in Singapore embraced innovation and stylistic experimentation to tell diverse stories of individuals and communities. A unique feature of this section is a spotlight on moving images, showcasing Singapore’s vibrant local film industry. Visitors can sit on refurbished cinema seats and immerse themselves in excerpts from some of P. Ramlee’s most beloved films, such as Pendekar Bujang Lapok (1959). Such films, with their comedic tones, entertained audiences while exploring themes of class dynamics and the clash between tradition and modernity, offering an engaging blend of escapism and subtle commentary on urbanisation, poverty, and relationships.
The central section of the exhibition, Imagining Nation, invites visitors to reflect on what defines Singaporean art. It highlights works that explore themes of belonging and identity during a period of rapid societal change in the 1950s and 1960s. Art became a medium for negotiating personal and collective identities and reflected the everyday lives of those who made Singapore home. An example is Georgette Chen, whose iconic artwork Self-Portrait (1946) embodies her personal journey and the determination she brought to the significant contributions she would make to art in Singapore. Other key works such as Liu Kang’s Working at the Brick Factory (1954) and Chua Mia Tee’s Workers in a Canteen (1974) foreground the image of the labourer, drawing attention to much-overlooked individuals who shaped modern Singapore.
Artefacts at the exhibition. Photo: Connected to India
Seeking Connections, the final section, explores how both physical travel beyond Singapore and exposure to diverse aesthetic sources shaped artists’ styles and enriched Singapore’s artistic landscape. A centrepiece of Singapore Stories, Chen Wen Hsi’s monumental Gibbons (1977), measuring five metres in length, stands as a striking example of this influence. In preparation for its display in the first section of the DBS Singapore Gallery, the artwork underwent a meticulous 15-month conservation process at the Heritage Conservation Centre, funded by the Bank of America Art Conservation Project. Chen Wen Hsi’s spirit of innovation, experimentation and relentless pursuit of artistic identity is emblematic of the drive of many Singaporean artists from the 1950s through to the 1970s. His evolving style is further highlighted in Oasis (1972), a playful exploration of abstract forms through vibrant colours and shapes.
Chua Mia Tee’s Workers in a Canteen,
1974. Oil on canvas, 88.5 x 126.5 cm. Gift of the artist. Collection of National Gallery Singapore. Photo: Connected to India
Karen Ngui, Head, DBS Foundation and DBS Group Strategic Marketing and Communications, says, “DBS has been a key part of Singapore’s story since 1968, when it was established as the Development Bank of Singapore to fund the nation’s development, and this sense of purpose continues to make us who we are today. We’re thankful for avenues like the DBS Singapore Gallery that preserve these meaningful chapters of Singapore’s journey, and are proud to support its mission to bring local art history to more in the community and pay homage to the artists who have shaped it over the years.”
The full exhibition will open in July 2025. The new long-term exhibition boasts a broader footprint and new spaces across Level 2 of the Gallery’s City Hall Wing, including a new project space for smaller, more agile narratives, and a digital immersive space. Admission is free for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, while general admission will apply for other visitors.
Liu Kang’s Working At the Brick Factory, 1954. Oil on canvas. 97.8 x 128.6 cm. Gift of the artist’s family.
Collection of National Gallery Singapore. Photo: Connected to India
Seng Yu Jin, Project Director of Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art says, “This exhibition expands the narrative beyond just showing artworks to address themes such as class and labour, which were of great concern to the artists themselves. My team and I have tried to incorporate new entry points into visual culture, extending beyond painting and sculpture to include other disciplines such as graphic design, film, and literature. By including clusters of multiple works by individual artists, we bring focus to lesser-known artists and provide the room to rediscover familiar ones. For instance, we showcase Chen Wen Hsi’s versatility in representational and abstract styles through his oil and ink works, including Gibbons and Oasis.”
At just 25, Chennai-based musician Amrit Ramnath is making a splash in India’s music scene with his multi-faceted work — composing for films, playback singing and independent music. Son of renowned Indian singer Bombay Jayashri, Amrit will be in Singapore to mark his debut performance in the city-state at The Esplanade Recital Studio on the 8th of December.
Amrit Ramnath. Photo courtesy: Collected
Ahead of the event, a part of his 100,000 Dreams Tour, Amrit spoke exclusively to Connected to India’s Sudipto Maity, sharing various aspects of his musical journey, his mother’s near-fatal brain hemorrhage in 2023 and how he flipped the gloom into something productive.
Excerpts from the interview:
You grew up in a household surrounded by music and musicians. But tell us what it was like?
Growing up in a house full of music was incredible—it’s honestly the reason I have such a wide palette today. I was exposed to so many different styles, and it really shaped the way I think about music. There was always something playing, whether it was qawwali, Pakistani ghazals, classic Bollywood songs from the ’50s to the ’80s, or Carnatic music, which is such a big part of my foundation. At the same time, I was discovering artists like Radiohead (lots of Radiohead), The Beatles, and Michael Jackson. That mix of traditional and contemporary sounds just became part of who I am, and it’s definitely influenced how I approach making music.
Amrit, then a toddler, plays, as his mother, Bombay Jayashri, practices on the Veena. Photo courtesy: www.instagram.com/amritramnath
What’s your earliest memory of you singing or performing?
One of my earliest memories of singing or performing was in the 4th grade. I was part of a lecture-demonstration with my mom, which was such a special experience. Being on stage with her at that age, surrounded by music and the audience, was probably the first time I truly felt the magic of performing.
How big of an influence has been your mother, Bombay Jayashri, in your career and musical journey?
My mom has been the biggest inspiration in my journey—not just for her incredible musicianship but for the sheer relentlessness it takes to be an artist. Growing up, I saw firsthand the kind of dedication, discipline, and passion she brought to her craft every single day. It shaped my work ethic and the way I approach my own work. Even today, she’s the first person I go to when I need advice or want to bounce ideas. Her guidance and perspective are invaluable, and she’s been such a constant source of support and inspiration throughout my career.
Now, tell me, is the tag of being Bombay Jayashri’s son a heavy one? What are the benefits of it and what are the downsides?
It’s not heavy, and it’s never felt that way. Being Bombay Jayashri’s son is an incredible blessing. There are no real downsides, but of course, people tend to see you through the lens of the legacy you come from. That said, I’ve been working hard to carve out my own niche, and it’s been really gratifying to see that effort being recognised. Having access to the kind of musical world and opportunities she’s built has been such a privilege, and for me, it’s about making the most of that and creating something that’s uniquely mine.
Tell us about your 100,000 Dreams Tour. What’s the meaning or the story behind this name and how long did you prepare before finalising it?
Amrit, who has watched his mother perform at the Esplanade in Singapore, will have his first performance in the country on December 8. Photo courtesy: Collected
The name 100,000 Dreams came about because of what the EP stands for. At your lowest point, you imagine hundreds of thousands of different scenarios for how you might emerge from the struggle, but in the end, you’re faced with one lived reality. That’s what inspired the name 100,000 Dreams—capturing the contrast between the dreams we imagine and the reality we must confront.
I started working on the first song while I was in the hospital ICU with my mother, during a time when I didn’t expect it to turn into an EP. After a couple of months of her recovery, I began creating more intentionally, and the process stretched over five to six months, coming together disjointedly and yet organically.
You’ll be performing in Singapore on the 8th of December at The Esplanade Recital Studio. Have you performed in Singapore before? What are your memories like in the country?
I’ve never performed in Singapore before, so I’m incredibly excited! I have memories of me sitting behind my mom while she performed at Esplanade many years ago, and it’s surreal to now be on that stage myself. It hasn’t fully sunk in yet, but it’s going to be really special.
What’s your take on the music scene in Singapore?
The music scene in Singapore, I think it’s incredibly rich, especially in its little pockets of culture. People there take everything seriously in the best possible way and that extends to art and music. It creates a deep sense of cultural connection that I find very endearing. I’m looking forward to experiencing more of that during my performance!
You’re 25 and already a music composer. Not surprising considering the place you come from — Chennai. What’s so special about Chennai that it keeps on churning such talented young musicians? AR Rahman was 25 when he composed for Roja, Anirudh Ravichander started fairly young…
Twenty-five really seems to be the lucky number in this industry! Getting my break into music direction at that age was definitely a blessing. I think a big part of it is the intensity of Chennai’s culture. The city is so deeply embedded in its artistic roots, and the music scene there is pervasive — it draws people in. For me, the feeling of home is rooted in the environment of music my parents cultivated for me. There’s something about Chennai that attracts music lovers and musicians to move to the city; it’s a place where people come to connect with art and music, and that’s what makes it so special.
Anirudh (right) with AR Rahman (middle) and Shankar Shanmugham. Photo courtesy: www.instagram.com/anirudhofficial
The movie industry in Chennai is also about partnerships between directors and composers or actors and composers. Rahman-Mani Ratnam, Suriya-Harris Jayaraj, Dhanush-Anirudh, Vignesh Shivan-Anirudh. Do you have any such wish to be a frequent collaborator with someone?
Amrit’s song Nyabagam, which he composed, produced and arranged, apart from co-singing with Sindoora Jishnu, for the film Varshangalkku Shesham, has over 10 million views on YouTube. Photo courtesy: www.instagram.com/amritramnath
I have a long list of people I’d love to collaborate with! Though not always set in stone, the film industry in Chennai has such a rich tradition of amazing partnerships, and I would love to work with visionary directors and talented actors. Some of the phenomenal directors I’d love to collaborate with include Mari Selvaraj, Vetri Maaran, and Mani Ratnam — they’ve all created such impactful cinema with their unique styles.
When it comes to actors, I’d love to work with someone like Siva Karthikeyan, whose versatility is impressive. Also, I admire a lot of the finest films coming out of Kerala, so directors like Chidambaram, Anwar Rasheed, and Shyam Pushkar would be incredible collaborators as well. There’s so much potential for fresh, meaningful collaborations in the industry, and I’m excited to see what the future holds!
Let’s now move to something sombre — your mother’s illness. It must have been a difficult period for the household. What was it like for you personally and what’s the lesson you took out of it?
My mother’s illness was a life-altering experience — it brought about a complete paradigm shift in how I looked at everything. The whole period was emotionally chaotic but in the midst of that, music became my place of solace. It was the one thing I could turn to when everything else felt uncertain. My art became my way of expressing what I was feeling, the rawness of the moment. It taught me how powerful music and art can be, not just for sharing emotions, but for healing as well.
What’s in the pipeline for Amrit Ramnath?
I’m currently directing the music for my first Tamil movie starring actor Siddharth — his 40th film, which is really exciting! I’m looking forward to the release of the album hopefully early next year. Alongside that, I’ve been working on a lot of independent music, and I’m excited to share that with everyone soon. There’s a lot in the pipeline, and I can’t wait for people to hear what I’ve been working on!
Ed Sheeran to perform in six Indian cities next year. Photo Courtesy: Ed Sheeran Instagram page
Internationally popular singer Ed Sheeran has confirmed he will perform in India next year and announced his upcoming show dates.
The announcement left his fans in India elated who will be looking forward to beginning their new year with a bang.
In his India leg of the tour, Shreen’s first concert will be held on January 30 in Pune.
His last concert in India will be held in Delhi on February 15.
Apart from India, He will also perform in Bhutan, Qatar and Bahrain.
Expressing his excitement over the upcoming tours, Shreen wrote on Instagram: “Coming back to India for my biggest ever tour of your beautiful country.”
“Also coming to play Bhutan for the first time, coming back to Qatar for the first time in a decade and playing that beautiful amphitheatre in Bahrain again. What a way to start 2025, can’t wait to see you all there,” he said.
The singer said ticket sales for the Indian concerts will begin on December 11.
The English singer, who is known for singing popular songs like ‘Shape Of You’ and ‘Perfect’, is expected to leave the stage of fire with his rocking performance in Pune (January 30), Hyderabad (February 2), Chennai (February 5), Bengaluru (February 8), Shillong (February 12), and Delhi NCR (February 15).
He will perform in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu on January 24.
He will create history by becoming the first international star to perform in the Himalayan country.
Book My Show, which is the official platform that will sell tickets for the show, posted on Instagram: ” The wait is over! @teddysphotos is bringing his tour to India!
Get ready for an unforgettable concert experience in Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Shillong, and Delhi NCR!”
Earlier this year, Ed performed in Mumbai where fans were left spellbound after the British star collaborated with Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh to perform jointly on stage.
