In the last several years, India's indie music industry has grown in popularity like never before. Male voices continue to dominate the mainstream in the music industry, but female indie voices are reclaiming the narrative with daring, adventurous, new, and introspective music. During the lockdown, many artists published their first singles, EPs, and albums. They've been working hard to come up with new ways to interact with their fans, as well as using music as a form of self-expression during these challenging times. Music can unite people of all backgrounds, and to that aim, we've compiled a list of upcoming and unique female voices from the indie music industry.
Abhilasha Sinha
With her debut track, Mothers, Abhilasha Sinha, a New Delhi-based musician, brought her whimsical and dreamy melodies to the forefront. She was once a member of the band RIVER, which included Kamakshi Khanna and Tarana Marwah, and is now a member of No Honey, which includes Keshav Dhar and Suyash Gabriel. Her melodious voice can transport you to a dreamland.
Aditi Ramesh
Aditi Ramesh's powerful vocals are a marvel in and of themselves, but when you mix in her extensive understanding of Carnatic music, you have genre-defying music. While her music is influenced by a variety of sources, it is her jazz and blues compositions that have caught our attention. Aditi launched her first four-track EP, Leftovers, in 2019. Her varied musical tastes set her apart from the crowd.
Anoushka Maskey
Anoushka Maskey, a Sikkim-born singer-songwriter, released her debut EP during the Coronavirus quarantine, as did many others. Things I Saw In A Dream is her debut EP, which has seven tracks and explores themes of enjoying the little things in life as well as the human experience. The artist's folk and acoustic styles complement her heartfelt lyrics.
Bawari Basanti
Mahima Dayal Mathur, also known as Bawari Basanti, is a Hindustani classical and folk music singer residing in New Delhi. The singer is well recognised for her evocative and powerful voice, which can elicit strong emotions. When you combine that with her extensive knowledge of classical music, you have an artist you'll want to listen to again and again.
Hanita Bhambri
What distinguishes Bhambri from her peers is her capacity to be utterly vulnerable. Her sweet and melodious voice complements her poignant lyricism. For those who are unfamiliar with Bhambri's music, the simplest way to describe it is that it has the power to reach deep into the recesses of your mind and heart, making you feel the intensity of the emotions she feels. Her songs, despite their gloomy content, can inspire optimism.