WARNER MUSIC INDIA APPOINTS ASHOK PARWANI AS HEAD OF MUSIC FOR SOUTH INDIA

 WARNER MUSIC INDIA APPOINTS ASHOK PARWANI AS HEAD OF MUSIC FOR SOUTH INDIA

Strategic Hire Will Accelerate Regional Catalogue Expansion and Strengthen Artist Partnerships in Key South Indian Markets

Warner Music India today announced the appointment of Ashok Parwani as Head of Music for South Indian Markets. This appointment comes at a pivotal time, following Warner Music India’s majority acquisition of Divo, one of South India’s leading digital media and music companies. 

Together, Warner Music India and Divo are focused on accelerating regional catalogue expansion, strengthening creator and partner relationships, and accelerating its overall growth strategy across the key Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam markets.

Parwani, a renowned industry veteran, brings over four decades of experience across India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE.  Notably, during his two-decade tenure at Sony Music India, he was instrumental in building Sony Music South business in the region, leading major catalogue acquisitions and cultivating powerful relationships with top producers, filmmakers, and artists.

Divo has established itself as a key force in South India’s music ecosystem, offering distribution, publishing, digital content and influencer marketing. Warner Music India’s majority acquisition of Divo in 2023 cemented its commitment to investing in authentic regional cultures. 

The company currently manages a large and fast-growing music catalogue and recently launched Loopd, an artist-first label focused on independent talent, leveraging Warner Music Group’s robust global network. Warner Music’s footprint also expanded further with a collaborative initiative with Sri Lanka’s M-Entertainments and Divo, designed to create new international opportunities for regional artists.

Jay Mehta, Managing Director, Warner Music India & SAARC, says: “Ashok brings unparalleled regional expertise and industry relationships that align perfectly with our long-term vision for South India. South India is an essential, high-growth pillar of our national strategy, and his proven leadership will be vital as we accelerate our mission to build world-class pathways for local artists and take the incredible sounds of India to a global audience.”

Shahir Muneer, Co-Founder & Director, Divo, adds: “Ashok’s experience and industry relationships bring tremendous value to Warner Music India’s South strategy. His leadership will also strengthen Divo’s work within the Warner Music network as we scale our catalogue, deepen partnerships, and unlock stronger commercial opportunities for artists across the region.”

Ashok Parwani, Head of Music, finishes: “I’m excited to join Warner Music India at such a dynamic moment. South India is a powerhouse of creativity, and together with Divo’s strong regional presence, we have a remarkable opportunity to take this music to wider audiences across India and globally. I look forward to expanding our reach and creating new pathways for South Indian music to thrive worldwide.”

Parwani’s appointment marks an important step in strengthening Warner Music India’s South strategy, further integrating Divo’s capabilities, and amplifying South Indian music on the global stage.

About Warner Music India: 

Launched in 2020, Warner Music India has quickly become one of the country’s leading labels. Its roster features top domestic artists such as Darshan Raval, Diljit Dosanjh, Karma, King, and Sanjith Hegde, alongside global icons including Benson Boone, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and Ed Sheeran.

The company has strengthened its presence through strategic moves—holding a majority stake in Southern India’s Divo, acquiring artist management company E-Positive, and investing in live entertainment platform SkillBox. Key partnerships include a licensing deal with Tips Music, as well as regional collaborations with Sky Digital (Punjabi music) and Global Music Junction (Haryanvi and Bhojpuri).

Dedicated to celebrating Indian sounds, Warner Music India launched MAATI, a folk imprint featuring artists like Vishal Dadlani, Mohit Chauhan, Rani KohEnur, Mikey McCleary, and Varun Grover. It also teamed with Warner Music Canada to create 91 NORTH RECORDS, debuting with Punjabi stars Karan Aujla and Jonita Gandhi to champion South Asian talent globally.

About Divo Music

Divo Music, a division of Divo and part of Warner Music Group, is one of India’s leading music label, distribution and publishing companies. Divo Music partners with film producers, independent labels, and artists to bring their soundtracks and songs to a global audience. 

With a catalogue spanning Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi music combined with Warner Music’s global distribution pipeline, Divo Music ensures that partners benefit from global distribution, access to publishing and sync opportunities worldwide.

From blockbuster soundtracks to indie debuts, Divo Music provides artists with a launchpad that combines regional depth with global reach, helping them connect with fans everywhere while retaining their creative identity.