Billboard Launches India Edition, Names Ilaiyaraaja as Debut Cover Star

Billboard has debuted its India edition in partnership with Other Side Ventures, extending the global music media brand’s footprint into one of the world’s largest and fastest growing music markets.

Billboard India will provide editorial coverage, music charts, rankings, awards and artist-focused storytelling, with a focus on music across multiple languages including Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu.

The launch aims to capture the depth of India’s multilingual music ecosystem while highlighting the country’s growing influence on the global music stage.

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Market Opportunity:

Its opening style puts Billboard right at the heart of things, making the launch instantly important.

“India is already one of the world’s largest music markets by volume. Our growth story isn’t from one city or one language. It’s from every corner of this country,” says Priyanka Khimani, media advisor and driving force behind Other Side Ventures.

“There couldn’t have been a more superlative name to launch our first cover than Ilaiyaraaja. His legacy, body of work and music superiority speak for themself. It was our privilege to be able to capture him as he celebrates an important milestone in his career,” adds Khimani.

“At Billboard, we are committed to celebrating any music ecosystem that includes artists, executives, trends, achievements and stories shaping today’s global music landscape,” said Mike Van, CEO of Billboard. “Billboard India marks an exciting step in that mission, as the Indian music industry and its global diaspora continue to command growing attention and influence worldwide. With a market as culturally rich and diverse as India, this launch reflects both the scale of the opportunity and the strength of the Billboard India team, whose depth and editorial ambition set a powerful foundation for what’s ahead.”

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Leadership Team:

India's cultural diversity, rising music consumption and growing global presence makes it a key market for the brand's international expansion strategy, billboard said.

Preeti Nayyar will lead the India operation as Chief Operating Officer and Mohini Chaudhuri as Content Strategy Director. The leadership team also comprises Amruta Ramesh as Creative Director and Vidya Sivalenka as Charts Lead.

Based in Mumbai, Billboard India will cover the country’s multilingual music ecosystem, from film music to independent artists, industry trends and chart performance.

The launch comes as Indian music is gaining increasing global attention, driven by the growth of streaming platforms, the rise of independent artists and growing international audiences for regional and film music.

Billboard India is an attempt to create a dedicated platform to highlight the diversity of the country’s music landscape, connecting Indian artists and industry stakeholders to the global music community.