Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know Naad: The Soul Of Music — Heights Group Brings India’s Musical Heritage To The Global Stage At 79th Cannes Film Festival T here are moments when culture doesn’t just get showcased, it finds its rightful place on the global stage. The unveiling of Naad- The Soul of Music at the Bharat Pavilion during the Cannes Film Festival 2026 is one such moment. More than a coffee table book, it is the beginning of a larger cultural conversation, one that brings the depth of In- dian music into a spotlight long reserved for cinema. In India, music has always existed beyond perfor- mance. It has lived in temples, in stories, in traditions passed quietly from one generation to the next. The concept of “Naad”- the primordial sound, is not mere- ly philosophical; it is deeply experiential. It suggests that sound is not created, but discovered, and that every note carries something eternal within it. This belief is what makes Indian music unique: it doesn’t aim only to entertain. It seeks to transform. Naad- The Soul of Music traces this journey with reverence. It moves through time, from the divine associations of Goddess Saraswati and Narad Muni, through the structured wisdom of Bharat Muni, and into the emotionally rich world of Mirabai. It honours pioneers like Amir Khusro and Miyan Tansen, whose contributions reshaped Indian music, and carries that legacy forward to the maestros who defined modern classical traditions. The narrative is enriched by stalwarts whose names are inseparable from India’s musical identity- Ustad Faiyaz Khan, Bade Ustad Ghulam Ali Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Kishori Amonkar, Girija Devi, Pandit Jasraj, and Ghulam Mustafa Khan. Their work continues to influence how music is understood and experienced today. The book also acknowledges contemporary legends- Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, and Pandit Rakesh Chaurasia- who carry this tradition forward with remarkable grace. What makes Naad particularly relevant is how it re- sponds to the present moment. In the digital age, music is everywhere, yet something essential often gets lost in the speed of consumption. Songs become snippets, per- formances become content, and listening turns passive. Naad attempts to slow things down, inviting audiences not just to hear music, but to engage with it, understand where it comes from, and recognise why it matters. The choice of Cannes as the launch platform is both strategic and symbolic. Cannes has always stood for excellence in storytelling. By presenting Naad here, Heights Group places Indian music within that same global narrative space, affirming that music, like cin- ema, has stories worth telling and preserving. “Naad is not just about music; it is about the soul of a civilization. It is our effort to take India’s most profound cultural expression to the world stage, where it can be experienced, respected, and celebrated,” says Kaifi Bharti, Founder of Heights Group. But Naad does not see itself as an endpoint. The book is only the beginning. The larger vision is to build a living archive of sound, one that eventually documents musical traditions from across the world. As cultures evolve and merge, many traditional forms risk fading into obscurity. The next phase of Naad aims to address this, expanding from Indian classical music to indig- enous global sounds, from structured traditions to folk expressions, creating a platform that respects diversity while highlighting music’s universality. “From our roots to the world stage, we see music as a universal language that transcends boundaries. Our vision is to document and share the musical heritage of the world, creating a bridge between cultures through sound,” adds Kaifi Bharti. Backed by Heights Group’s experience across cinema, live events, and cultural storytelling, this vision could evolve into documentary series, digital archives, and immersive experiences that bring audiences closer to music in its purest form. At its heart, Naad is a reminder of something we often overlook. Before language divided us, there was sound. Before identities were defined, there was rhythm. As Naad- The Soul of Music steps onto the global stage at Cannes, it carries not just India’s musical legacy, but a larger intent, to reconnect the world with the idea that music is not merely something we consume, but some- thing we belong to. - ANI ‘Balan: The Boy’ Trailer: Mystery, Murder Haunt Mother’s Fight To Protect Son T he trailer of ‘Balan: The Boy,’ the upcoming psychological thriller fromManjummel Boys director Chidambaram, was released on Friday, offering a glimpse into a dark and emotional story centered on a mother and her young son. Set to hit theatres on June 19, the film follows a moth- er and kid who appear to be running from a troubled past while trying to stay one step ahead of danger. The nearly three-minute trailer introduces a world filled with fear, secrets and uncertainty. It shows a woman living under different identities, a young boy caught in mysterious circumstances and a police chase that seems to follow them wherever they go. The trailer also hints at a disturbing family history connected to the boy’s grandmother. At the same time, it raises questions about the child’s possible link to a mur- der case, adding to the mystery surrounding the story. It ends on a chilling, leaving viewers with more questions than answers and building curiosity about the fate of the mother-son duo. Directed by Chidambaram and written by Jithu Mad- havan, the film was screened at the Marche Du Film at the Cannes Film Festival 2026. The 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival was held fromMay 12 to May 23, 2026, bringing together filmmakers, actors, producers, and industry leaders from across the world. The prestigious festival featured red carpet pre- mieres, special screenings, gala events, and a range of industry activities, including the renowned Marche du Film, with most key events taking place at the iconic Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes. - ANI PHOTO:COURTESY ANI PHOTO:COURTESY ANI 27 ENTERTAINMENT June 12, 2026