Warner Music India has signed a distribution agreement with Renzu Music, an independent label focused on artists from Kashmir. The deal — first reported by Variety — marks a new milestone for the Srinagar-based operation, which has built its identity around discovering and developing talent from the Valley.
Founded by filmmaker Danish Renzu, the label combines music curation with cinematic storytelling, pairing new voices with strong visual narratives. With Warner’s distribution network now in place, Renzu Music gains a platform to take Kashmiri sounds beyond the region to national and international audiences.
Its roster spans both emerging and established acts, including Zahra Banoo, Noor Mohammad, Hyder Dar, Adam, Saqib Wani, Shivani Matyal, Bilal Tantray, Afaq Dar, Kafil Qureshie, Tasneef Bukhari and Masrat Un Nissa. Folk veteran Noor Mohammad anchors several marquee projects, collaborating with Rashmeet Kaur (Ranjha) and Shikha Joshi (Maryo), while IP Singh appears on Chingari.
“Our goal was to bring music from Kashmir to a larger audience and create a bridge between Kashmir and the rest of the world,” said Renzu. “The distribution partnership with Warner Music India does exactly that – it helps the sounds of Kashmir travel across the globe.”
The move has been welcomed across the industry for its cultural resonance. Actor Saba Azad highlighted how “Kashmir is often in the news but little of its culture makes it to the mainstream,” while actor Udit Arora said the deal ensures “this music is finally getting its well-deserved platform.”
For artists, the collaboration represents a creative exchange between folk and contemporary sounds. Singer Shikha Joshi described her work with Noor Mohammad as “enriching,” praising the authentic folk textures that shaped the fusion project.
As India’s independent sector continues to grow, Warner’s backing of Renzu Music points to the increasing global appetite for regional and folk-rooted music.
