MUMBAI: The Indian Music Academy, an initiative of Art & Artistes and a reputed leading cultural body, will bring together and involve some of the decision makers from all constituents of the Indian Music Industry on one single platform that is one of its kind representing the artist fraternity, radio channels, ministry of tourism, music companies and music channels in Mumbai on 8 August in Mumbai for the betterment of the Indian music industry.

Playback singer Shaan says, "The IMA forum is indeed exciting as it is an interactive platform for sharing ideas, a serious discussion where various issues will be addressed which will hopefully bring about a change down the line. It is also a platform to be updated with new technologies of the music industry."

The IMA Forum 2009, which is an initiative of Arts & Artistes, will be inaugurated by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, IMA founder patron Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia and Javed Akhtar.

The Forum will address several issues spread across three sessions. In the first session the focus will be Emerging global opportunities for all forms of Indian music and the role of the government, the corporate and media towards the growth of Indian Music Industry.

The second session focuses on the Contribution of the retail industry to the growth of the Indian Music Industry, which will be addressed by Idea Cellular CMO Pradeep Shrivastava, Universal Music MD Rajat Kakar, Hungama MD Neeraj Roy and Planet M head entertainment Soumitra Moitra.

A major concern that will be addressed in the third session is the Actions required to protect, encourage, shield and strengthen the Indian Music Industry. This will be addressed by SaReGaMa vice president, music Atul Churamani, PPL CEO Vipul Pradhan, Shaan, Channel V head programming Saurav Kanwar and Pancham Nishad director Shashi Vyas.