Elina Adamova – Moscow/New Delhi, September 2025: History was written in Moscow with the grand revival of the Intervision Music Contest 2025, returning after almost five decades since its last official edition in the late 1970s.
Among the global figures making this historic event memorable was Dr. Jaan Nissar Lone, renowned Kashmiri composer, musician, and founder of ARMS Record Label Pvt. Ltd. (AR Music Studios), who proudly served as a Jury Member representing India. In his first remarks to the press, Lone praised the contest’s scale and spirit:
“We can see musicians, singers, composers, and producers working hand in hand. This contest gives every artist a sense of belonging, showing how their efforts bring pride to their nations. It is truly Russia’s gift to the world to offer such a magnificent stage for global artistry.”
India’s Strong Performance This year’s Intervision brought together 23 countries in a spectacular display of cultural exchange. India made a powerful impression on the Moscow stage, with: Rauhan Malik from Kashmir performing as India’s contestant, personally chosen by Lone and nominated by ARMS Record Label Private Limited. Stefy Patel representing India as part of the international co-hosting team. Dr. Lone himself serving as a Jury member making India one of the few countries with such a trio of strong representation. India had the honor of closing the grand finale on September 20, 2025, at Moscow’s Live Arena, an emotional high point for the delegation.
Although India delivered a memorable performance, the coveted Intervision 2025 trophy was ultimately claimed by Vietnam, who impressed the Jury and global audience with their artistry. India’s spirited participation, however, has been widely praised as one of the strongest showings of the contest. Moscow Becomes the Heart of Intervision For weeks, Moscow transformed into a city-wide cultural carnival. Flags lined the streets, buses carried Intervision posters, and a massive digital display lit up Red Square, drawing locals and tourists alike into the celebration. Contestants and Jury members were treated to seven-star hospitality, with visits to the Kremlin, Red Square, and Russia’s cultural landmarks ensuring unforgettable memories. Coverage from outlets such as The Times of Russia further highlighted the global importance of this revival.
India’s Contribution as Co-Organiser India played a vital role in bringing Intervision back to life. ARMS Record Label Pvt. Ltd was the entity responsible for bringing Indian delegation from singer , Jury to Co-host., founded by Dr. Lone, was the official Co-Organiser from India. NewsX joined as India’s official media partner. Roshan Space Brandcom (Mumbai) handled outdoor media promotions. This collaboration showcased India’s growing influence in global music diplomacy, blending Bollywood flair with Kashmiri cultural depth. Kashmir India’s Cultural Crown Perhaps the most emotional dimension of India’s participation was Kashmir’s representation. Long associated with conflict, Kashmir emerged here as India’s cultural crown, celebrated for its music, traditions, and hospitality. Reflecting on this, Dr. Lone said:
“It’s all planned by the Almighty. My decision to choose Rauhan Malik from Kashmir was intentional to inspire young Kashmiris to take music seriously as a profession. Kashmir should not only be known for its beauty or its conflict but also for its art, culture, and music that can inspire peace worldwide.”
A Global Celebration of Unity The revival of Intervision has been hailed as a triumph of cultural diplomacy. Every country’s performance was celebrated, and the contest has already begun inspiring younger generations worldwide to pursue music and the arts. As the curtains fell in Moscow, Vietnam was crowned the winner of Intervision 2025, but India walked away with something equally powerful — global recognition of its artistry, cultural depth, and commitment to music diplomacy.
With the contest now set to move annually from country to country, the world awaits the announcement of the 2026 host nation, while remembering Moscow as the city where Intervision was reborn. A Moment of Pride for India For India, and especially Kashmir, this was a historic milestone. With Dr. Jaan Nissar Lone as Jury, Rauhan Malik as contestant, and Stefy Patel as co-host, India ensured that its name was written boldly in the new chapter of Intervision’s history.
As the world looks ahead to the next edition, one fact is certain: Intervision 2025 has redefined cultural collaboration on the global stage and India’s contribution remains unforgettable.
(A story that even platforms like The Times of Russia are likely to continue following as cultural diplomacy deepens between nations.)
