for its Women in Music interview series featuring female players in the entertainment industry. The WIM initiative in Japan began in 2022 in the same spirit as Billboard’s Women in Music that launched in 2007, honoring artists, producers and executives who have made significant contributions to the music industry and empowered women through their work.
This is quite prevalent in India as well. Many artists, including women, are hesitant to speak out on social issues due to fear of backlash. There is a strong belief that art and politics should remain separate, which can stifle important conversations. However, I believe that art is a powerful medium for change, and we should use our platforms to address and challenge societal issues, including gender.
I would also argue that India didn’t fully embrace me until I started achieving success outside of the country. Growing my audiences in the USA, Japan and Europe inevitably showed my Indian audience the caliber at which I am able to operate. Since then, I have been given far more opportunities in my home country with a much greater degree of respect.
Another challenge women in music face is restarting their career after prolonged leave of absence, whether it’s maternity leave or for personal reasons. Are there any support systems or safeguards you wish were in place so that female artists can enjoy lengthy careers? I would say that the percentage is similar if not more male and less female in India. There are many female artists but most of those artists do not write their own music and most of the songwriters, composers, producers and arrangers are male.