Women in Music: Exploring India's Indie Music Scene
The indie music circuit in India is quite up-and-coming these days. Artists are finding new fanbases and strengthening their roots within the music community. With a raw, honest, and sometimes even multilingual approach to the songs, the indie musicians have carved a niche for themselves. When one speaks of indie, most genres that come to mind are ballad, R&B, jazz, and maybe a hint of retro, but that is changing now. The artists are not shy about going beyond the genres and experimenting with their music and artistry.
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In recent years, India has seen a rise in female indie artists setting a stage to showcase their talent. The stage is no longer limited to male artists. Over the years, and especially after the pandemic, female artists have come up more and more with their distinct musicality and experiences for listeners. One distinct feature about them is that their music gives voice to women not only in India but across the globe. We all have had a similar set of experiences, and it feels nice to find yourself within a song or two. While most find their comfort zone in the somber tunes of R&B and ballads some female artists dabble in electronica, hip-hop, etc. In celebration of International Women’s Month, we at HALSUG bring to you 11 stellar female indie music artists from India that you need to listen to!
Hanita Bhambri
Hanita Bhambri is one of those artists whose songs invoke a sense of vulnerability and intimacy. Her soft vocals caress the listeners into a soft embrace, whereas the smooth acoustic beats create a soothing space for them to rest in. She has collaborated with artists like Zaeden and VAYU in the past, in addition to having a stellar career of her own as a solo indie artist.
Listen to Hanita Bhambri’s “OCEANS” here:
Dot.
Those who have seen The Archies on Netflix might find themselves familiar with the name Dot. Dot. is more than just an actor in the film, though. She has a vibrant career as a singer and songwriter. Her music captures one’s attention with its old-school charm resonating through the jazzy tunes and quirky lyricism. You will find a part of yourself in Dot.’s songs. Her music is as encompassing as her name. Each time you listen to her songs, you will find something new in them.
Listen to Dot.’s “Indigo” here:
Anumita Nadesan
There’s a childlike wonder in Anumita Nadesan’s voice. Her songs transport listeners to a new plane of existence. There is relatability in her songs and comfort in her compositions. She first found fame after her cover of “Jashn-e-Bahara” (an original song from the 2008 film, Jodhaa Akbar) went viral on social media. Since then, she has composed and sung her own compositions, finding a place and identity for herself in the indie music scene. She also featured on the song “Aasman” from the hit OTT show Farzi starring Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi.
Listen to Anumita Nadesan’s hit viral song “Khwaab” here:
Aditi Ramesh
Aditi Ramesh’s music finds its roots in Carnatic music and R&B genres. She blends the two worlds seamlessly as she croons to English-language lyrics, speaking about societal issues, identity, self-love, etc. She has EPs “Autocorrect” and “Leftovers” to her credits, along with a sprinkle of singles found on her YouTube channel. Aditi was also part of groups like Ladies Compartment and Voctronica for a while before branching out solo.
Listen to Aditi Ramesh’s song “Filter Coffee” here:
Shaktishree Gopalan
For fans of Indian cinema, Shaktishree Gopalan is not a new name. With hit songs like “Jab Tak Hai Jaan,” “Nenjukulle,” and “Aga Naga,” under her belt, the songstress has carved her mark in the mainstream music industry with her soulful vocals. But as a soloist, she found her calling in the indie world. Her music sees a confluence of Carnatic music training paired with the sultry tones of jazz and trip-hop. She is set to debut as a music composer with the film The Test starring R Madhavan, Nayanthara, Siddharth, and Meera Jasmine.
Listen to Shaktishree Gopalan’s “Nenjukulle” here:
Kamakshi Khanna
Kamakshi Khanna is one of the most prominent names in the indie music festival circuit in India. She sings in Hindi and English with equal ease, touching upon a multitude of listeners across genres. She finds her calling in R&B, jazz, and pop with a delectable mix of folk thrown in. She has several song covers and original compositions to her credit. Her vocals have a distinct charm that enables the listeners to listen to her words raptly.
Listen to Kamakshi Khanna’s latest musical offering “Love Is Not A F*cking Game” here:
Ramya Pothuri
Another singer with a childlike wonder and nostalgia etched into her vocals, Ramya Pothuri is one of those singers whose music renders a feeling as if the listeners are transported to a new plane of existence. The atmospheric ballads from the singer are just what you would want to listen to unwind on a beautiful weekend. Ramya Pothuri finds her niche in alt music with a dash of jazzy blues.
Listen to Ramya Pothuri’s “fool” here:
rayna
Rayna Lele, aka rayna, is one of the newest names in the indie music circuit. Having debuted in 2021, rayna sings about growing up, the maze that is adulthood, and finding one’s place in this big, wide world. She has posted some covers on YouTube as well. Not much is known about the singer’s new music, but her debut song, “Boat of Soul,” gives a good insight into her artistry.
Listen to rayna’s “Boat of Soul” here:
Kayan.a
Ambika Nayak, aka Kayan.a, is a DJ and a recording artist. She is also a part of Nothing Anonymous, an electronica duo featuring her and Nimrit Shah. The singer-dj was also part of a group called “Kimouchi Youkai.” As a soloist, Kayan finds herself playing with electronic, trap, and alt-pop genres. Her songs as a solo artist reflect her growth over the years. Her vocals carry a distinct texture, which aligns well with the funky nature of her songs.
Listen to Kayan’s “Cool Kids” here:
Tanmaya Bhatnagar
Tanmaya Bhatnagar is one of those singers whose voice has an enchanting glow to it. When she begins singing, it is like she demands the listener’s attention with her hauntingly beautiful vocals. She finds her sweet spot in music, with guitar strums trumping other instruments. Ballads and slow jazzy songs are her signature style. Her songs are like poetry in motion, enchanting the listener to travel to a place unknown yet familiar.
Listen to Tanmaya Bhatnagar’s “Izhaar” here:
Ash Lune (formerly known as Kovsky)
Ash Lune (formerly known as Kovsky) is one of the most prominent female indie singers from India. Aashna Gulabani, who started her musical journey with the moniker Kovksy, wrote songs about mental health and substance abuse. She deemed the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky the inspiration for her stage name. In 2021, Kovsky found a new identity under the name Ash Lune. The singer presented a new side and new music as Ash Lune. Her songs draw inspiration from her personal experience and find a global voice that connects with her listeners. Her breathy vocals, paired with alt music, accentuate the vulnerable emotions in her songs.
Listen to Ash Lune’s “Sugarcoat” here:
Which of these indie female artists would you like to see featured on HALSUG? Tell us in the comments below or connect with us on Instagram or X (Twitter).
Edited by Zoe Selesi
