A Bengaluru boy playing a Bengaluru stage. Sanjith Hegde began Hindustani classical training at four, came up through Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, and broke through with "Gunu Gunuguva" from Dalapathi in 2017. A debut that sat on the charts for the better part of a year. He's since won a Mirchi Music Award South and a Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer in Kannada, and recorded across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi, from "Kush Kush" to "Thaarumaaru." Equally at home in a ballad and a mass number, he's become one of the defining voices of contemporary Kannada film and pop music.
One of the most decorated figures in South Indian performing arts, Shobana is both a two-time National Film Award-winning actress, for Manichitrathazhu and Mitr, My Friend and a Bharatanatyam dancer of serious pedigree, trained under Chitra Visweswaran and Padma Subrahmanyam. She received the Padma Shri in 2006 and the Padma Bhushan in 2025, and runs the Kalarpana dance school in Chennai. Her stage work folds classical vocabulary into narrative theatre, which makes a Shobana performance less recital than full production – cinematic, precise and quietly devastating.
Aron Kollassani Selestin, better known as Aksomaniac, is the 22-year-old artist building Malayalam R&B more or less from scratch. Trained on Western classical piano in Thiruvananthapuram before he found his voice during lockdown, he writes songs that sit at the intersection of desire, queer identity, colourism and Kerala mythology, see "Karupp," "Kanmashi" and the EPs Explained Twice and Varthamanam. His 2026 single "Amsham" climbed to No. 4 on Spotify's Global Viral 50, a rare feat for a non-English Indian-language track. Live, expect something closer to a ritual than a set: intimate, theatrical and unusually honest.
Chennai's Vasanthakumar Bakthavachalam took the gaana tradition, ran it through hip-hop production, and got a generation moving. Working with producer OfRo and the Atti Culture collective, he went viral in 2020 with "Jorthaale," then crossed decisively into film most visibly with "Naa Ready" from Leo, composed by Anirudh Ravichander, one of the most-watched Tamil songs of its year, along with "Pona Povura" from Mahaan. His sound is street-rooted, brash, and built for volume, and his sets are less concert-like than block-party.
Grace. Power. Legacy. Shobana is not just a performer, she’s an institution. A Padma Bhushan awardee and the unforgettable face from classics like “Manichitrathazhu,”
she has spent decades redefining storytelling through movement and expression. After leaving audiences mesmerised at South Side Story last year, she returns once again to bring her timeless artistry to the stage.
Every performance feels cinematic, spiritual, and deeply moving all at once.
Delhi, get ready because Raghu Dixit is bringing the “Shakkar” rush live once again. The man behind beloved tracks like “Hey Bhagwan” and “Mysore Se Aayi” blends Kannada folk, global sounds and storytelling with unmatched warmth. Backed by The Raghu Dixit Project, every performance feels like a giant musical celebration where strangers become a chorus. This isn’t just a gig, it’s a full-blown vibe.
Brewing up madness one riff at a time, Masala Coffee is back with the kind of energy that can turn any crowd into a dancing frenzy. The band behind cult favourites like “Kaantha” and “Aaluva Puzhayude Theerathu” blends rock, funk and rooted sounds into tracks that hit like nostalgia with a bass drop. Their performances are loud, wild and impossible to stand still through.
Aksomaniac is not here to play safe. Breaking through with tracks like “Neram Pokum” and “Kaayika”, he has quickly become one of the most exciting names in Malayalam hip-hop. Known for sharp lyricism, raw storytelling and unapologetic energy, his music moves effortlessly between hard-hitting bars and emotionally charged moments. Expect booming beats, relentless flows and a set that’s built to shake the crowd from start to finish.
Soft notes, strong presence, Arya Dhayal is here to make you pause, breathe and feel. Known for her viral rendition of “Bhoomi Njan Vazhunidam” and a voice that glides effortlessly between classical soul and modern moods, Arya creates music that feels both comforting and cinematic.There’s a quiet intensity to her performances that pulls you in before you even realise it. Delhi, this is the kind of magic that lingers long after the final note.
Say what? It’s Sooraj Santhosh! The voice behind favourites like “Aalolam” and “Maayathe” is ready to light up the stage. Whether it’s soul-stirring melodies or high-energy crowd moments, Sooraj brings effortless versatility with a voice that instantly connects. Equal parts powerhouse and performer, he carries the vibe of a stadium concert with the intimacy of a late-night playlist.
The voice behind iconic tracks like “Behka,” “Ava Enna,” and “Yeh Haseen Vadiyan” live versions is coming to Delhi, louder than ever. Karthik has soundtracked heartbreaks, road trips, weddings and everything in between across generations and languages. Effortlessly moving between soulful ballads and explosive stage energy, he brings a warmth that instantly feels personal. Some voices entertain. Karthik’s voice stays with you.
Baby Jean is in the building! The voice behind viral tracks like “Kuthanthram” and some of the underground scene’s hardest-hitting bars, he brings the kind of energy that turns every stage into a show.
Blending razor-sharp lyricism with genre-bending beats, Baby Jean represents a generation that feels deeply and speaks loudly.From underground heat to crowd anthems, expect chaos, charisma and hooks that stay stuck in your head long after the lights go out.
If controlled chaos had a soundtrack, it would sound like Thaikkudam Bridge. The band that turned “Navarasam” and “Fish Rock” into anthems returns with their signature blend of rock, classical, metal, folk, and pure sonic madness. Known for explosive live sets and genre-defying music, they don’t just perform songs, they build experiences that hit like a cinematic climax. Delhi, this is your cue to lose your voice screaming along.
Grace. Power. Legacy. Shobana is not just a performer, she’s an institution. A Padma Bhushan awardee and the unforgettable face from classics like “Manichitrathazhu,”
she has spent decades redefining storytelling through movement and expression. With her, every performance feels cinematic, spiritual and deeply moving all at once.
The voice behind iconic tracks like “Behka,” “Ava Enna,” and “Yeh Haseen Vadiyan” live versions is coming to Pune, louder than ever. Karthik has soundtracked heartbreaks, road trips, weddings and everything in between across generations and languages. Effortlessly moving between soulful ballads and explosive stage energy, he brings a warmth that instantly feels personal. Some voices entertain. Karthik’s voice stays with you.
Avi-all ready for some Malayalam- rock madness? We think you can hear the electric guitar from miles away, and they are here to stay. Pune, feel the metal with the genre-bending, self-styled Kerala Band Avial! Only at South Side Story 2026.
Pune, get ready because Raghu Dixit is bringing the “Shakkar” rush live once again. The man behind beloved tracks like “Hey Bhagwan” and “Mysore Se Aayi” blends Kannada folk, global sounds and storytelling with unmatched warmth. Backed by The Raghu Dixit Project, every performance feels like a giant musical celebration where strangers become a chorus. This isn’t just a gig, it’s a full-blown vibe.
Tribemama Marykali (real name Anna Katharina Valayil) is a Kerala-born, Nigeria-raised indie artist now based in Kochi, blending Afro-funk and pop influences with Malayali roots. Known to many as the playback singer of “Appangal Embadum” from Ustad Hotel, she’s since built a feminist indie sound with singles like “Bless Ya Heels,” “Freakay,” and her 2022 EP Kerala Gold. A regular on the festival circuit, she’s known for high-energy, dance-driven live sets with a strong female-empowerment message.
