Whistling Woods International launches the Mohd. Rafi Music Scholarship during the debut Cadence Music Festival, celebrating legends and nurturing fresh voices for India’s ever-evolving musical landscape. The #Newsdesk reports…

Whistling Woods International’s Cadence Music Festival 2025 brought together legendary artists and future stars for a transformative musical experience. Launching the Mohd. Rafi Music Scholarship, the festival honoured India’s greatest voices while empowering students through workshops, masterclasses, and live performances. Featuring icons like Sonu Nigam, Anu Malik, and Mithoon Sharma, Cadence served as a dynamic convergence of heritage and innovation, echoing WWI’s mission to nurture and spotlight tomorrow’s musical trailblazers.

 

Mumbai, May 10th, 2025 — Whistling Woods International (WWI), India’s leading institute for Film, Communication, and Creative Arts, set the stage for a landmark musical event with the inaugural Cadence Music Festival 2025. Spanning three days, the festival celebrated both India’s rich musical heritage and its vibrant future. Under the banner A Festival of Timeless Tributes and New Talent, the festival brought together an exceptional blend of established icons, industry mentors, and student artists in a celebration that was as educational as it was inspiring.

A Historic Tribute: Mohd. Rafi Scholarship Instituted

One of the most poignant highlights of the festival was the announcement of the Mohd. Rafi Music Scholarship, unveiled by WWI Founder & Chairman Subhash Ghai to honour the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary singer. Instituted in the presence of Shahid Mohammed Rafi, the scholarship will be awarded annually to a meritorious second-year student of music, marking a lasting tribute to Rafi’s legacy and a meaningful investment in the future of Indian music.

The Cadence Music Festival was graced by some of the most iconic figures in the Indian music industry. From Sonu Nigam’s heartfelt tribute to Mohammed Rafi to the music launch of Amayra, an upcoming Mukta Productions film, each moment resonated with creativity and passion. Students were treated to a live music production session by Kabeer Singh of Dupahiya (2025), while Shantanu Patel from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland led an insightful masterclass. The festival also saw moving piano recitals by WWI music students and a spontaneous, crowd-thrilling jugalbandi between lyricist Irshad Kamil and composer Mithoon Sharma.

Adding to the educational richness of the event, music stalwarts Anu Malik and Sameer Anjaan shared their decades of experience in a pair of compelling masterclasses. Taambdi Chaamdi producer Kratex conducted a hands-on workshop, drawing a connection between underground beats and commercial composition. The final day culminated in a high-energy beat-making and composition competition, judged by WWI alumna and actor Sai Godbole, providing students not only a stage to perform but also a chance to receive critical professional feedback.

A Platform for Talent and Transformation

For WWI, Cadence was more than a festival—it was a powerful showcase of its core mission: nurturing emerging talent while honouring the roots of Indian artistic traditions. Meghna Ghai Puri, President of WWI, captured this sentiment perfectly when she said, “Cadence is more than a festival—it’s a movement. Seeing our students conceptualise and execute something of this scale, engaging with the who’s who of the music world, is incredibly fulfilling. It’s what Whistling Woods is all about.”