Women Changing Music
The Kala Ghoda Art Festival turned out to be the ideal platform to showcase the emergence of a slew of women music industry leaders who have wrestled with seemingly impossible odds to break the proverbial glass ceiling and made their mark in the Creative, Legal, Corporate sectors associated with music. Here is what they vocalised when they came together for the talk on Women Changing Music at the “Kala Ghoda Event”.
The panellists included:
Shrushti Tawde (India’s first female Hip- Hop music artist)
Gauri Yadwadkar (Head A & R Non film-Times Music)
Priyanka Khimani ( Eminent Entertainment and Intellectual Property Lawyer)
Mercy Tetseo (Multifaceted artist representing the band Tetseo Sisters)
Rumpa Banerjee (Head – Corporate Communication and Members Relations IPRS)
The panel was moderated by Rohini Ramanathan, a multi-faceted host, who believes in making everyday exciting on air and off it.
Each of these professionals are a benchmark unto themselves. Pathbreaking in every way, they have come to symbolize excellence in their own distinct manner. This is an attempt to capture their shining accomplishments and encouraging many more to try their magic in the glittering queue to guide, entertain and excel.
The queries have expansive explanations and are presented as edited excerpts from the panel discussion and covers all the experts at their vibrant best. Here are a few that ooze sagacity for all.
The genre Hip-hop has clearly been associated with men. How did you go ahead in your career as a hip hop artist?
Shrushti
It has become easier after the emergence of Television for a performer like me. I took off as an open mike performer. Luckily for me my family supported me in spite of the late night slotting of the events. Honestly, I came without a plan but ended up dominating the genre.
Where did the artist in you – a trained performing singer yourself – find space in the corporate world. Does an artist have relevance in the present scheme of things?
Gauri
When I got the opportunity at Times Music I gave myself six months to explore the possibility. Times Music was a growing company and a shot at developing content in my area of musical interest, was a great beginning. The possibility of interacting with composers, lyricists, singers and artists of all hues was a clincher for me and here I am. It is now my 20th year in this musical sojourn. The joy of interacting with artists of the calibre of Pandit Jasrajji, Lata Mangeshkarji, Asha Bhosleji, Abida Parveenji, for me is unparalleled. Women are making a change with their presence in Times Music through their presence in multiple departments, on the business side of things. It is common to spot many youngsters keen to intern under the very able women leaders punctuating the entertainment space today.
How does the legal system treat a female artist in comparison to a male? Is there any notable difference?
Priyanka
Thankfully,the scenario is quite encouraging. I deal with artists at all levels on their career path and can definitely vouch for the fact that there is parity in the eye of the law. Male or female artist, technicians, creators can command their own price, as things stand. Today, it is more a question of the artist knowing their worth. Knowing that you are indispensable in your area is a critical bearing for the creator. The gender of an artist is slowly becoming redundant.
Coming from Nagaland and being a female artist, did you ever feel that you had to work harder than your contemporaries?
Mercy Tetsoe
As a musical group representing Nagaland and a part of its heritage and culture for over 20 years, our group, the Tetseo Sisters, is very serious about presenting the right picture of our tribe, region and documenting our culture in the most appropriate and entertaining way. Our journey has been beset with a lot of challenges but also has had an element of fun. We try to send the right message through our music. I would also like to add here that all this has happened without an iota of planning and in the most organic manner possible.
Can you tell us about how female artists can see that their rights are secure? What are the steps that a music creator can take in this regard?
Rumpa Banerjee
The feeling with women that they might not be ticking all the boxes for a given role has been limiting their potential to a great extent. Being shy and the fear of being judged also works in stifling the careers of women creators who overthink about their responsibilities. I think this fear of being judged has to be washed away. The fact that women have to multi task also hinders their professional growth as they have to strike the balance between managing their home and careers.
We recently spotted tremendous musical talent in Nagaland and Northeast. Surprisingly enough, very few of these performing artist were aware of their revenue earning potential. Most were under the impression that the one-time payment they get for their performances is all that they can make. Little did they plan about generating revenue when they were not creating music. Women creators in particular are definitely lacking this awareness. The IPRS is the society that will help them earn their rightful royalties even when they are not creating. After the IPRS started the HerMusic initiative there has been a 300% surge in women membership acquisition. This has happened only over the last 2 years. So, out of the over 10000 IPRS members today female members add up to between 500 and 600 which is again a very poor representation, though, much better than it has been.
As a performing artist have you ever been faced with unwanted situations because of your gender?
Mercy
A couple of instances come to mind. Once was when at an event, a very popular artist after our respective performances commented that with four women dressed in short skirts, he was hardly given the attention he deserved. Nobody listened to his music. This obviously was the wrong thing to say. They ask us why do we call ourselves the Tetseo Sisters when our brother also plays with us. A few went on to ask him if his sisters bully him. Such behaviour, to say the least, is strange.
Priyanka
Many ask me if I am a lawyer or an actor/model. They often try complementing me before getting down to tell me how to do my job. When that fails to work they resort to questioning my abilities or call me slow. Very few people, even colleagues including women defend you and appreciate your expertise. This is an everyday occurrence and occurs multiple times in a day. The fact though remains: You have to show up and do your thing irrespective of the odds stacked against you.
Shrushti
I have always been called a female rapper which is very funny because I have never in my presentation taken up serious women’s issues. I believe, I’m just a rapper. Everything written about me never forgets to mention that I am a female rapper. The thing is I do not need to be reminded that I am one, I look like one. Once in an audition I saw men rappers raving about their very ordinary lyrics which made me suddenly realize that I was much better than them and made a song out of my new-found motto “Main Nahin to Kaun”. It is also my Instagram handle.
Gauri
Rarely happens in the corporate world with me but I have this experience of someone coming to me about hiring a candidate and insisting that it be a male. He said that a young lady would get pregnant leaving us in the lurch. That, was presumptuous. It is erroneously believed that women who are mothers and working in the corporate sector are under performers. In fact, women work hard and robustly contribute in their roles.
How do we make sure that the female voice is not erased from Hindi film music? There are hardly any songs written for the female artist in recent times?
Gauri
I think there are a lot of female artist in the non-film category. I have seen artist like Maithili Thakur who is very versatile and hard-working singing folk songs in her native Bihari and also Marathi songs in Maharashtra that reached both the music connoisseur and the masses. Surya Gayatri, Uttara Unnikrishnan the Tetseo sisters in Nagaland are finding their voice through the internet. Streaming has changed the whole music scenario. Music artists of the day can represent themselves by putting out their songs from wherever they are.
How about trolling in the music world? Have you ever been trolled?
Mercy
Females are targeted mercilessly. People get personal and we made an example of one such person by taking the legal route.
Shrushti
I work in a male dominated industry and am obviously targeted off and on, but I take that as a compliment as it means that I have made an impact in the field of my choice. I did give some of my savage replies to such criticism initially but it became unwanted news. I decided instead to focus on my career and succeed bigger and better.
How much of a role does the family support play in your journey as female music industry professionals?
Priyanka
Family support is very important and can go long way in helping you establish yourself professionally. It is also important that one should use all available support apart from family. Do not underestimate the power of people that come into your professional or social life. Many such give you the best opportunities you’d have otherwise missed out.
What is the summing up of your experience in the corporate sector?
Rumpa
You have to try and connect with everyone around you. It is important to come out of your shell. Identify people that can help you achieve your goals. Make your own dreams and make hard choices. Do not compromise at any stage.
Mercy
Women have to be brave and learn that they can change their mind at any point. Do the things that make you happy. That would be my mantra.
Priyanka
Nothing comes fast, cheap and good. If it does it is bound to be unsustainable.
As women, be ready to invest in yourself and do not think of spending on yourself as an expenditure.
Shrishti
My advice for women is not to try to be like men but just look at them. You are just one decision away from being the person you want to be.
Gauri
I feel it is not about gender or age. Women in urban areas should do their best they can to promote musical talent in rural India. I’d also add that there is no good time to start anything. You can start any time doing whatever you think you want to achieve.
