Celebrating International Women in Music Day (March 28), here are a few female artistes who share how they have carved a space for themselves in the field.

Oh! Womaniya band has been consistently gaining popularity in Delhi’s music circuit. Comprising around 15 women – out of which, at any given time there are four lead singers on stage – it's a “playful nod to the strength of women and a little touch of Bollywood”.

These feminine souls prove that girl bands can be as electrifying as you can imagine! “The times have changed and women are taking over the music scene in amazing ways and we’re here to create our own space and make some serious noise,” shares Anurupa Roy, founder of the band, adding that they chose this name because they “wanted something that truly celebrates women in all their fierce, fun, and fabulous glory.”

Beyond the music, the band believes in building sisterhood. “In our experience, we feel this industry can be tough, especially for newcomers. When there is a space where women can find confidence, share experiences, and grow together, more female led musical groups will emerge,” adds Roy.

Singers such as Nisa Shetty, who has sung for Bollywood films like Heropanti 2 (2022), are proving how a woman musical journey isn’t without challenges. “I’ve felt sidelined many times. Whether on stage with another male vocalist, in a studio, or simply trying to put forward a creative opinion. While opportunities are growing, we still face hurdles in male-dominated spaces. Watching us break stereotypes, there are those who want to pull us down! ”

Nisa recently came into limelight when she was spotted among the artistes invited to sing at actor Parineeti Chopra and politician Raghav Chadha’s wedding, and shares how she didn’t have to look too far for inspiration and strength to grow in her career, as she had a first-hand experience growing up in a family of artistes especially trained in theatre. “I was raised by strong, outspoken women in my mother and grandmother. They inspire me every day which has taken me from releasing independent music on YouTube to share the stage with the likes of AR Rahman,” says Shetty, adding, “I feel as women with some sort of influence, we have to pave the path for more women to be a part of the music industry. We have to make spaces feel safe for them, and ensure they are heard, especially in male-dominated spaces and industries.”

Mansa Pandey, who goes with the stage name Mansa Jimmy, is a singer-songwriter celebrated for her versatility. “As a woman who is slightly non-traditionally feminine in appearance, I'm judged, sure, but I’ve never been underestimated,” says Mansa who rose to fame during the pandemic through Instagram live sessions when Ehsaan Noorani (from the popular trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Roy) spotted her.

Inspired by legends like Madam Noor Jahan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Usha Uthup, and Janis Joplin, Mansa feels optimistic about the future of women in music: “It’s a great sign to see more women producers and composers emerge beyond their traditional roles as vocalists... I believe in using my platform to speak my mind. By staying true to my identity and creating my own space, I hope to inspire more women to see that there’s room for them, too! My message to aspiring artists is – Be fearless, be confident, and never let anything hold you back.”

“As women, we know the challenges we face in society, and music was our way of raising our voice,” says Reshma Arya, founder, of all-women band WeBhor. A collective of talented musicians who write and perform songs on women’s empowerment and gender equality, this band was founded in 2018.

Reshma adds, “When it comes to music bands, how many all-women bands from Delhi-NCR can a layman name? We are out there to change the answer to that! When you see women perform confidently on stage, it serves as a powerful example, and inspires more young women to find their voice and take on the stage!”

The band’s anthem is a powerful statement in itself — “WeBhor ki ummeed/ subah ka noor hoon/ andheri duniya mein roshni bharpoor hoon. It’s a composition by us that embodies the bands essence: hope, resilience, and the power to light up even the darkest spaces.”