Born in Varanasi and raised in Surat, Khushboo Wadhwani, professionally known as DJ Kiara, grew up in an environment shaped by discipline and artistic rigour. Under her mother’s guidance, she completed vocal training in Indian classical music and harmonium by the age of seven, alongside extensive Kathak training, painting, and craftwork. “That early exposure to diverse art forms gave me a critical understanding of rhythm and harmony,” she says, crediting it as the foundation of her music today. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree along with a professional qualification in DJing, blending business acumen with artistic pursuit. A financial setback at 14 became a defining chapter. Teaching workshops, managing custom painting orders, and curating a 100-piece knife painting exhibition by 16 instilled resilience and entrepreneurial instinct. “Those years taught me responsibility, not just for my work, but for my family,” she reflects. Moving Crowds, Shifting Energy DJ Kiara describes herself as a music producer, open-format DJ, instrumentalist, and curator of collective emotional experiences. She is the founder of Key2Paradise, a contemporary music and culture IP rooted in immersive sound. “I didn’t choose this path as much as it chose me,” she explains. A spontaneous music production class during college felt like home. But the true shift came during her first 30-minute DJ set. “I realised I could move a room. I could shift energy. That feeling solidified everything.” Her career milestones underscore that commitment. She is one of the official DJs for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, has performed at Dubai International Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium, and became the first female DJ to perform at Narendra Modi Stadium as the official DJ for Team Gujarat. She is also among the official DJs for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, and

Snehal Shah, professionally known as DJ Rink, has spent over two decades shaping soundscapes across India’s most celebrated stages. Based in Mumbai, she comes from a grounded, value-driven family where resilience and self-respect were foundational principles. While formal education offered structure, it was life and the industry that refined her. Choosing DJing as a career more than 20 years ago was unconventional, particularly for a woman. The industry was male-dominated, and skepticism was inevitable. But the challenge became a catalyst. “Every setback strengthened my voice,” she reflects. Over time, she evolved into a performer who is emotionally strong, spiritually aware, and professionally disciplined. Crafting Energy, Not Just Music DJ Rink describes herself not merely as a DJ, but as an experience curator. “I create energy. I design emotions. I build atmospheres,” she says. For her, music is a universal language, one that dissolves boundaries of culture and status. Whether at luxury weddings or large-scale corporate celebrations, she doesn’t just play tracks; she architects journeys. She understands that behind every event is emotion, and behind every celebration is memory. Elegance Meets Impact What distinguishes DJ Rink is her emotional intelligence. She blends high-energy performance with refinement, reading subtle shifts in crowd psychology in real time. She studies family dynamics, energy fluctuations, and mood transitions, responding instinctively. Clients associate her with premium weddings, commanding stage presence, and unwavering professionalism. As one of India’s pioneering female DJs, she has built a reputation grounded not in novelty but in excellence. Building Without a Blueprint Her journey began at a time when female DJs were rare. With no roadmap to follow, she built her own, performing at private events, learning equipment hands-on, and steadily earning credibility. Late nights, safety concerns, and constant validation were part of the terrain. Those early years built her backbone. The

Every few years, culture wakes up. It shakes off the glitter of hype and the exhaustion of algorithms, and remembers why it exists: to make us feel. 2025 was that year. It was a year when cinema looked inward, music spoke from the gut, and books dared to whisper truths louder than noise. It wasn’t about what trended; it was about what touched. Across languages and continents, from stadium screens to small-town shelves, a rare sincerity returned to art. So here it is, the heart of a year that gave us back our faith in creativity. The top 6 songs, top 6 films, and top 6 books of 2025, the trinity of sound, story, and soul. Top 6 Songs of 2025: The Year Music Found Its Soul Again 1.Die with a Smile — Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars If love had a curtain call, this would be its soundtrack. “Die with a Smile” feels like a whispered promise at the world’s end. It’s vulnerable, timeless, perfectly restrained. Gaga and Mars blend heartbreak with grace, soul with silence. It’s rare when two powerhouses meet and choose softness over spectacle. The retro visuals, slow-burning arrangement, and raw harmony make this song a classic in an age that forgets to pause. 2.Sapphire — Ed Sheeran (feat. Arijit Singh) Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire gleams with a rare kind of intimacy, where Western pop meets Eastern longing, with Arijit Singh’s voice woven through the melody. It’s both global and grounded, like the sound of two worlds learning to breathe together. The song is tender yet mighty. It moves slowly, almost reverently, and reminds us why Sheeran’s music feels less like a performance and more like a conversation. 3. Uyi Amma — from Azaad (Music by Amit Trivedi) Then there’s Uyi Amma—a song that doesn’t shout, it

From celebrity weddings to luxury destination celebrations, music has become the soul of modern weddings. Internationally acclaimed DJ Krish aka TBOM, who has performed at high-profile events including star-studded Bollywood gatherings, shares the biggest shifts he sees in wedding music today. 1. What’s the hottest music trend you’re seeing at weddings? Right now, it’s all about fusion couples blend Bollywood with Afro beats. Guests want that big-festival energy but with familiar tunes everyone can sing along to. 2. How are couples customising their Sangeet playlists? Couples are getting very hands-on. They curate a list of “must-play” songs for family entries, couple performances, and after-party vibes. Many even share Spotify playlists with me beforehand, which I then remix and structure into a seamless flow. 3. Are live mashups or remixes more in demand? Mashups are winning. Couples love it when I surprise the crowd by fusing a classic Bollywood track with an international drop. It feels personal and unique like their wedding has its own soundtrack. 4. Do you see more Bollywood, techno, or a fusion of both? Definitely a fusion of both. Bollywood creates nostalgia and connection, while techno adds the high-energy kick. Together, it’s unbeatable. 5. What song never fails to get the dance floor packed at a Sangeet? Gallan Goodiyan still works like magic – it gets every generation on the floor instantly. 6. What’s your go-to track to kick off a party? I usually start with something groovy but powerful – like a reworked version of London Thumakda or mundian tu bachke – it instantly sets the tone for a big night ahead. 7. How do you balance traditional requests with trending beats? I never ignore traditional requests – instead, I remix them live. For example, turning a folk wedding track into a house/afro house version ensures