Sangeet Dwar Debuts as Unified Platform for Public Music Performance Licensing

India has taken a significant step toward simplifying music licensing with the soft launch of Sangeet Dwar , a unified digital platform designed to streamline permissions for on-ground public music performances . The initiative brings together major music licensing bodies including Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) , Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) , Novex Communications , and Recorded Music Performance Limited (RMPL) , marking an unprecedented industry alignment aimed at easing compliance for event organisers and venues.

The platform allows users to obtain licences for the public performance of live and recorded music at physical venues , including concerts, festivals, hospitality spaces, and large organised events. By offering a single digital interface, Sangeet Dwar replaces the earlier practice of approaching multiple agencies separately, reducing administrative complexity and improving transparency in fee structures and royalty distribution.

Importantly, Sangeet Dwar is limited to offline public performances and does not extend to digital or online usage , including music used in videos uploaded on platforms such as YouTube. Digital usage requires separate permissions such as synchronization and online communication rights typically obtained directly from record labels or publishers. Licences issued through Sangeet Dwar do not override or substitute these digital copyrights.

While the platform covers a substantial portion of India’s music repertoire, it is not yet fully comprehensive . A few lesser-known or rights-specific bodies and niche rights holders are currently outside the initiative. As a result, Sangeet Dwar includes most, but not all , public performance rights, with scope for further expansion as more stakeholders join the unified framework.

The launch comes against the backdrop of longstanding industry concerns over unlicensed public performances, particularly in commercial settings where ticket sales, sponsorships, or broadcast revenues are involved. In such cases such as ticketed concerts, televised music competitions, or revenue-generating live shows licensing ensures that composers, performers, and producers receive fair compensation for the commercial exploitation of their work.

At the same time, industry observers note that non-commercial, private and semi-private gatherings , such as family weddings, cultural ceremonies, or internal office celebrations where no tickets are sold and no revenue is generated, have traditionally operated outside strict enforcement. For families hosting a sangeet ceremony or employers organising an internal office party, the emphasis of the new platform appears to be on awareness and simplification , rather than penalising everyday social or workplace celebrations.

Legendary vocalist and Padma Shri awardee Anup Jalota , associated with the industry working group behind the initiative, described Sangeet Dwar as a step toward balancing ease of use with creator rights. Industry leaders have similarly stressed that the platform’s objective is to bring structure to commercial music usage, not to burden households or workplaces engaging in non-commercial cultural expression.

By centralising access to licences for genuine public and commercial performances, Sangeet Dwar aims to protect intellectual property while reducing confusion for organisers. As the platform evolves, its success will depend on how effectively it distinguishes between commercial exploitation and everyday cultural use ensuring that India’s vibrant music traditions continue to thrive without unnecessary compliance anxiety.

The Sangeet Dwar portal is now live at https://vasantsangeetdwar.in/ .