Indian music has travelled well beyond its traditional audiences in recent years. Punjabi beats, Hindi independent music and songs from regional cinema are increasingly reaching listeners across continents, while Indian artists are appearing on some of the world's biggest stages.
From Diljit Dosanjh making history at Coachella to ‘Naatu Naatu’ winning an Oscar, several moments have marked this growing international presence. On International Music Day, here are five instances that stand out.
1. Diljit Dosanjh brings Punjabi music to Coachella
When Diljit Dosanjh walked onto the stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2023, it became a landmark moment for Punjabi music.
The singer became the first Punjabi artist to perform at the prestigious California festival. Songs such as G.O.A.T. featured in his set as he performed in Punjabi before a diverse international audience.
Beyond the performance itself, Diljit's appearance showed how Punjabi music could find space at one of the world's most prominent music festivals.
2. Armaan Malik collaborates with Ed Sheeran
Indian pop also received a major international push when Armaan Malik collaborated with British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran.
Malik featured on the Indian version of Sheeran's 2step, released as Ed Sheeran - 2step (feat. Armaan Malik). The collaboration brought the Indian singer into a global pop project and introduced his voice to listeners who may not have previously followed his work.
It was another example of Indian artists becoming part of collaborations involving internationally established musicians.
3. Anuv Jain takes his music to international audiences
The global expansion of Indian independent music can also be seen through Anuv Jain's growing international touring footprint.
His Dastakhat World Tour expanded beyond India, taking his Hindi-language songs to audiences across Australia, Europe, North America and the Middle East in 2026. Unlike music that reaches international listeners primarily through films or collaborations, Jain's journey has largely been driven by his own catalogue and live performances.
His overseas shows underline the growing appetite for contemporary Indian independent music among audiences around the world.
4. Karan Aujla appears on Jimmy Fallon’s show
Punjabi singer and songwriter Karan Aujla added another significant international appearance to the genre's growing list of milestones with his stint on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’.
Appearing on the American late-night programme placed Aujla in front of a much wider global audience. The appearance also reflected the increasing visibility of Punjabi performers in mainstream Western entertainment, beyond audiences in India and the South Asian diaspora.
5. ‘Naatu Naatu’ makes Oscar history
Few recent Indian music moments have had the worldwide impact of ‘Naatu Naatu’ from SS Rajamouli's RRR.
Composed by M.M. Keeravani with lyrics by Chandrabose, the Telugu song won Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards in 2023. It became the first song from an Indian film to win the category.
Singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava also performed Naatu Naatu at the Oscar ceremony, bringing the song's high-energy choreography and music to one of the world's most watched entertainment events.
Indian music continues to cross borders
These moments represent different paths to international recognition. While Diljit Dosanjh and Karan Aujla have helped carry Punjabi music to major Western platforms, Armaan Malik's collaboration highlights the possibilities of cross-border pop partnerships. Anuv Jain's touring success reflects the reach of independent Indian music, while Naatu Naatu demonstrated the global potential of regional-language cinema.
Together, they point to a broader shift: Indian music is no longer being heard internationally only through diaspora communities or Bollywood releases. Artists and songs from different parts of the country are increasingly becoming part of the wider global music landscape.
About Punjabi Mania News Network
Editorial team at Punjabi Mania. Passionate about bringing the latest updates from the Punjabi entertainment industry directly to you.
Discussion 0
Join the Conversation
Share your thoughts, reply to others, and become part of the community.