Heralded as a game-changer in strengthening diplomatic ties and promote cultural exchanges, ASEAN-India Music Festival 2022 delivered an astounding comeback that not only presented resilience during the time of the pandemic, but also championed shared histories and traditions among the participating partner-nations.

The second edition of the music festival featured an eclectic lineup from 11 countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and India. The event took place in Purana Qila, one of the most prominent and oldest forts in Delhi, India from 20 to 22 November and promoted rich musical traditions that connected the present and the past to a crowd of thousands.

Some of the most notable performances included Singapore's Linying Band, whose compelling songwriting style and folk-pop sensibilities proved to be a hit during the festival run. The acclaimed hitmaker, who takes pride in being the first Southeast Asian act to get signed under Canadian Record Company Nettwerk Music Group in 2016, considers the experience of performing in India and representing Singapore a career milestone.

The Philippines' very own Bayang Barrios at Ang Nilayagan brought the house down with anthems that tackled socio-political issues in the Philippines, particularly the vast destruction of the forests in the countryside due to urban developments.

The three-day festival, which was organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and Seher — India's premier cultural organization that works closely with the Indian government, showcased an exquisite merging of artistic heritage and cutting-edge modernity as headliners brought a slice of their culture on stage through music.

ASEAN-India Music Festival 2022 celebrates 30 years of India and Southeast Asia's diplomatic relations. Its utmost goal is to increase awareness of the ASEAN identity amongst creative intellectuals and the public at large.