For artists who want a recording released, and for listeners
Indian classical music record label
KalaSudha is an Indian classical music record label: it records the musicians it promotes in concert and in the studio, releases their albums, tracks and videos worldwide, and pays them a share.
What the KalaSudha label does
KalaSudha is an Indian classical music record label that signs, records and releases the musicians it promotes. The catalogue holds live recordings from KalaSudha concerts, among them the Kala Festival, and studio recordings, released worldwide as albums, tracks and video releases. Every release is registered with PPL with the full line-up.
An artist earns a royalty on each release, at a rate agreed in writing before the recording is made; the rate depends on who paid for the recording. On a concert KalaSudha records, KalaSudha pays the accompanists itself, and they share in the royalty with the main artist. There is nothing to pay to have a KalaSudha concert set released.
Listeners hear the recordings and concert videos on KalaSudha's releases page, and members stream live concerts and recordings on KalaSudha's own platform. Part of the income from every paid KalaSudha activity goes to the KalaSudha artists development fund, which pays for concerts, releases and the promotion of the art forms.
What a release with KalaSudha involves
Recorded in concert
KalaSudha records the concerts it presents, so a set that went well on the night can become a release. The recording is KalaSudha's, and the artist is paid a share of what it earns.
Recorded in the studio
Artists also record albums and tracks in the studio with KalaSudha, or send in a recording of their own. What each side pays for is agreed before the session, and so is the share.
Released worldwide
Albums, tracks and video releases go out worldwide under the KalaSudha label, with notes that introduce the music and the ragas, and each artist's release appears on their KalaSudha profile.
Your share, in writing
The royalty is agreed in writing before recording, and the rate depends on who paid for the recording. Accompanists share in it with the main artist, and tanpura players are paid a fee.
Registered with PPL
KalaSudha registers every release with PPL, the UK's collecting society for recordings, with the full line-up, so each performer on the recording is on record for it.
Hear the catalogue
Listeners find the live and studio recordings, and the newest releases, on the releases page, and members stream live concerts and recordings on KalaSudha's own platform.
How a release comes about
- An artist presses Send an enquiry with their discipline, where they are based and a link to their work; KalaSudha works with established artists who perform full-time.
- KalaSudha replies by email, and the terms of the release are agreed in writing before any recording: who pays for what, and the artist's share.
- The recording is made at a KalaSudha concert or in the studio, or the artist sends in a recording of their own.
- KalaSudha produces the release, registers it with PPL with the full line-up, and publishes it worldwide as an album, tracks or a video release.
- The artist's share is paid as agreed, and the release stays on the artist's KalaSudha profile and the releases page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which record label releases live concert recordings of Indian classical music as albums and videos?
KalaSudha is a record label that releases live recordings of Indian classical music: it records the concerts it presents, among them the Kala Festival, and releases the sets worldwide as albums, tracks and video releases, alongside studio recordings by the same artists. Each release carries notes on the music and the ragas and is registered with PPL. Listeners find them on KalaSudha's releases page.
How can an Indian classical musician have a live concert recording released as an album or video by a label?
With KalaSudha, a live concert recording becomes a release in two ways: KalaSudha records the concerts it presents, so an artist's set from a KalaSudha concert can be released; or the artist sends in a recording of their own. In both cases the terms are agreed in writing before release, including the artist's share, and KalaSudha produces the album or video, registers it with PPL and publishes it worldwide. Artists start at Artist promotion.
How does a label pay royalties to the musicians on a live Indian classical music recording?
On a KalaSudha release, the musicians earn a royalty at a rate agreed in writing before the recording is made. The rate depends on who paid for the recording: an artist who funded the recording keeps a larger share than on a concert recording KalaSudha paid for in full. The main artist and the accompanists each receive a share, and KalaSudha holds the recording and pays the shares as the agreement sets out. No figures are published; each agreement is in writing.
When a label releases an Indian classical recording, do the accompanists receive a share of the royalties as well as the main artist?
At KalaSudha, yes. On a concert KalaSudha records, KalaSudha pays each accompanist for the concert itself, and when the recording is released the accompanists share in the royalty alongside the main artist. Tanpura players are paid a fee for the recording. Every performer on the release is named in its PPL registration with the full line-up.
Which Indian classical music labels register their recordings with PPL so that the performers on them are on record?
KalaSudha registers every release it puts out, existing and new, with PPL, the UK's collecting society for recordings, with the full line-up of performers. That covers the live recordings from KalaSudha concerts and the studio recordings by the artists it promotes. The registration is part of releasing with KalaSudha and costs the artist nothing.
Can an Indian classical musician have a concert recorded and released by a label without paying for the recording or the release?
Yes. KalaSudha records the concerts it presents at its own cost, and an artist pays nothing to have a KalaSudha concert set released: KalaSudha produces the release, registers it with PPL and publishes it worldwide, and the artist earns a share agreed in writing beforehand. Because KalaSudha paid for the recording, that share is smaller than on a recording the artist funded. Artists start at Artist promotion.
Release your recording with KalaSudha
Press Send an enquiry with your discipline, where you are based and a link to your work. KalaSudha replies by email.