This year’s Masti Showcase, Singapore’s largest Indian singing talent hunt, was more than a competition – it was a vibrant celebration of diversity, talent and community harmony.
Held on July 12 at Katong Community Club, the event was presented in collaboration with Harmony Circle, Indian Activity Executive Committee (IAEC), Mountbatten and the People’s Association, making it a meaningful addition to Singapore’s Racial Harmony Month celebrations.
The finale brought together over 500 participants, narrowed down through multiple audition rounds, including virtual screenings and mentor-guided performances.
The show culminated in 35 finalists across four categories: Hindi Adults, Tamil Adults, Hindi Young Adults and Tamil Young Adults.
The finale featured outstanding performances in Tamil and Hindi, prefaced by renditions in Malay, Mandarin, and Cantonese, embodying the multicultural fabric of Singapore.
Among the guests were Ms Gho Sze Kee, Adviser of Mountbatten SMC, and Mrs Pooja Tillu, Deputy High Commissioner of India. Their presence reinforced the message that music can bridge cultures and foster deeper connections across communities.
As Ms Gho shared in her message: “Every one of us has a role in building racial harmony by making the effort to understand each other’s culture, religion and background.”
The winners of Masti Showcase 2025 highlighted the depth of local talent: Leena Christi (Tamil Adults) is a seasoned vocalist known for her emotive renditions of Tamil classics; K. Tanishqa (Tamil Young Adults), who is just 13, impressed with her pitch-perfect and poised performance; Nivaan Chakraborty (Hindi Young Adults) is a Hindustani-trained singer whose classical Bollywood interpretation won hearts; and Rajesh Kalra (Hindi Adults) is a working professional with nostalgic vocal finesse.
From its inception in 2011, Masti Showcase has grown exponentially in scope and impact. Initially launched by Masti Media Network to celebrate Bollywood music and community connection, the showcase evolved to include Tamil and Bangla categories, enabling inclusivity for a broader audience.
One notable moment came in 2020 when a Bangladeshi migrant worker won the Bangla category – a poignant reminder of the platform’s reach and empathy.
The event’s partnership with Harmony Circle and IAEC helped bring together a broader cross-section of Singaporeans, fostering cultural exchange through music.
Said Ms Renuka Arora Bhagat, founder and director of Masti Media Network: “Our finalists represent the musical spirit of Singapore – diverse, passionate and inspiring. It has been a journey of cultural expression and connection. This season was extra special as our aim was to bring communities together and serve as a vibrant bridge between Singapore and India.”
This year’s event also gathered luminaries from the music fraternity, including Mr K V Rao, president of the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society. The judges included Amit Dhamelia, composer and music director; Ravindran Parchure, Hindustani classical vocalist; Mrs Vicknesvari Vadivalagan, Carnatic vocalist and educator; and Mrs K V Godha, vocal coach and performer.
Mr Rao summed up the event: “Music brings harmony within its universal band of eight notes. Watching performers across ages and backgrounds sing in Tamil and Hindi was not just entertaining, it was beautiful.”
The 2025 edition marked a significant leap forward with record engagement through MastiAVI, the platform’s digital visual arm, and Radio Masti 24x7, South-east Asia’s only Hindi/Bollywood live radio station.
With over 8,000 public votes, interactive mentor rounds and extensive digital outreach, Masti Showcase reaffirmed its position as a credible, culturally significant platform.
Looking ahead, Masti Media Network aims to expand into more Indian languages and explore regional rollouts across South-east Asia. With a listener base of over 1.2 million in Singapore alone, the network continues to serve as a trusted voice and connector for Indian expats and local communities.
During Covid-19, Masti Media responded swiftly by launching a Bangla radio service within a week to support migrant workers, an initiative praised by MOM and MCI. This agility and empathy underscore its deeper mission: integration, identity and innovation.
