In a landmark event for Indian music, celebrated composer Shankar Mahadevan and renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar have launched Goongoonalo, India’s first artist-owned digital platform. The launch took place at the Jio World Studio Theatre in Mumbai, with over 30 prominent musicians in attendance.
Empowering artists with creative and financial control
Goongoonalo has been conceptualised by Akhtar, Mahadevan, and technology entrepreneur Sridhar Ranganathan, and is led by CEO Sherley Singh. The platform is designed to give artists complete creative and financial control over their work, challenging the traditional dominance of mainstream music labels. Musicians can publish original songs, archival recordings, unreleased works, and host interactive sessions, all while retaining full ownership and enjoying transparent revenue sharing.
A new space for collaboration and innovation
Goongoonalo is not limited to music releases. The platform offers tools for artists to share poetry, stories, demos, jam sessions, and lyric-writing workshops. Its unique Fanverse feature allows fans to design merchandise, crowdfund albums, and even co-create content with their favourite artists, fostering a new level of engagement between creators and audiences.
A celebration of artistic freedom
The launch event was marked by a spirit of unity and celebration among artists. Shankar Mahadevan described the project as deeply personal, emphasising that Goongoonalo allows artists to bring together art and business on their own terms. Javed Akhtar hailed the initiative as a historic step for creative independence, stating that, for the first time, artists have the power to decide what reaches the audience.
Goongoonalo is poised to become a transformative force in India’s music and cultural landscape, offering creators a platform to realise their vision without compromise.
