Independent Music Production Grant 2025
About
The third edition of the Serendipity Arts’ Independent Music Production Grant is for all independent music creators across different genres to support the process of creating, recording, producing and releasing and/or presenting new music. The grant will be awarded to bands, duos, groups or individual independent musicians with a grant of up to INR 1,50,000.
Duration
Intake
Eligibility
- Applicants must be over 18 years of age.
- Applicants must be independent musicians- not signed by any music label.
- Applicants must hold an Indian bank account.
Application Details
- The Grant is open to solo artists, bands, duos, and collaborators.
- We will require a project proposal and a project execution plan with timelines.
- Applications must submit details of past work in the form of web links or uploads.
- WIP samples are to be uploaded (if any).
- A detailed budget must be submitted along with the application.
- A completed Application Form must be submitted in order for the proposal to qualify for shortlisting.
Deliverables
- The Awardees, upon the completion of the project, must submit a Project Report.
- An audited Fund Utilisation Certificate, as per the format provided, for the total fund granted must be submitted by the Grantees to Serendipity Arts.
- Serendipity Arts shall connect the Grantee to field experts, mentors, practitioners, and other professionals from the SAF universe, to aid in expanding the scope of the chosen project based on requirement.
Timeline and Process of Selection
- The deadline for applications is April 13, 2025.
- The Grantees will be selected by a Jury.
- The Grantees will be announced in May, 2025.
Terms and Conditions
- The proposed project must be music which has not been released in the public domain except for project proposals which involve presenting music, for instance, for creating a music video or executing a tour.
- The Grant must be availed within 12 months of receiving it.
- After selection, the Grantees shall sign a contract with Serendipity Arts to complete the selection process.
- Reports/WIP are to be submitted every month, after receiving the Grant.
- The Grant has to produce a tangible outcome by the end of the 12-month period from the date of receiving the Grant.
- The Grant will be given out in three installments: 1st on signing the agreement, 2nd and 3rd on submitting reports and utilisation certificates after every quarter.
- The Grant amount will be subject to 10% TDS deduction and GST deduction (if the applicant holds a GST-registered account).
- Due credits are to be given to Serendipity Arts, wherever the Grant project is presented or released.
JURY
JURY
Aishwarya Natarajan Founder of Indianuance and a British Council Young Creative Entrepreneur awardee, Aishwarya is a trailblazer in artist representation across classical, folk, and alternative genres. With deep industry experience at Saregama and Music Today, she’s a go-to advisor for artists and festivals alike.
Kamakshi Khanna One of the most loved voices in the Indian indie scene, Kamakshi is known for her heartfelt songwriting and genre-blending sound that fuses pop, soul, and folk. She’s performed at top festivals like Lollapalooza India and NH7 Weekender, and shared the stage with legends like A.R. Rahman and Arijit Singh.
Naveen Deshpande The driving force behind Mixtape Entertainment and Ground Control, Naveen has shaped the careers of India’s biggest indie acts—from Bloodywood to Pentagram. With nearly two decades in bookings, curation, and festival production, he’s a true builder of the scene.
Subir Malik Founder of the legendary rock band Parikrama, Subir is a pioneer of India’s indie rock movement. A celebrated musician and producer, he continues to perform globally while championing young talent and nurturing the next generation of artists.
GRANTEE
Sound of Women is a revolutionary grassroots music project by Krantinaari (Ashwini Hiremath) and Charu Hariharan, born from the radical belief that hip-hop is folk. After co-founding India’s first all-female hip-hop crew, Wild Wild Women, Krantinaari embarked on a journey across 47 regions of India, witnessing firsthand the barriers women face in music. After which, Charu Hariharan found a new relationship for the sound of women to fall under the umbrella of world music. This movement, presented under their company Folk Soul, is a living, breathing archive of women-led folk music, focusing on the Kumaoni region of Uttarakhand. It blends traditional storytelling with raw, rooted melodies to reclaim sound as a space for resistance, memory, and identity.
Meet the powerful crew:
Charu Hariharan
Music director, composer, percussionist, producer, and vocalist.
Hemanti Devi
Folk singer and daughter of the iconic Kabootari Devi, the first folk artist of All India Radio from Uttarakhand.
Ganga Devi
A mother and folk singer from the village of Gaira.
Taiji
Elder, percussionist, and hudukka player, embodying ancestral rhythm.
Khashti Devi
A folk singer who sings not for fame, but for love—for the healing of her husband battling a heart condition.
Neha Singh
Storyteller and show director, weaving powerful narratives through each performance, giving voice to stories long silenced.
pause.dxa is an experimental sound and music experience project by Sahitya and Harsh. Initiated as a sound immersion project in January 2022, it has evolved into an exploration of how we experience sound and music, pushing the boundaries of traditional and electronic elements.Meet the artists:
Sahitya
Sahitya is a vocalist studying Dhrupad under Ustad F. Wasifuddin Dagar, Pianist trained with Ritesh Khokkar and works towards developing sound and music based curriculums.
Harsh
Harsh is a math teacher, sound artist, and physics student researching cymatics at Svaram Sound Experience, Auroville.
FAQS
Q1. I have already released my album and want to use this Grant for planning a tour or performance, am I eligible?
A1. Yes, the Grant can be used for planning the tour or performance.
Q2. Can I apply if I have an Indian bank account but if I don’t reside in India currently?
A2. Yes, if it is a group/duo applying, then at least one member must have an Indian bank account.
Q3. Is this Grant only for producing/presenting original compositions?
A3. No, not necessarily. It is open for all genres and forms of music/compositions. However, you shall be responsible for acquiring IPRS/PPL licenses, approvals and any other licenses and permissions with regard to the content you present.
Q4. Am I eligible to apply if I have no formal training in music?
A4. Yes, absolutely!
Q5. I am a musician, but can I use the grant to collaborate with a visual artist for a series of performances?
A5. Yes, these details must be mentioned in the project proposal and budget break-up if finances are applicable.
Q6. I cannot access the application form. How can I apply?
A6. If you are unable to access the application form, please write to [email protected]. Please make sure to add the name of the grant clearly as the subject line.
SIGN IN WITH GOOGLE
