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From Anushka Manchanda to Sanaya Ardeshir, female composers rule electro scene

Here’s a look at girls who are rocking as music producers and electro artistes

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(Clockwise from top left): Anushka Manchanda (Pic: Maxim India), Tarana Marwah (Pic: Rafique Sayed), Saba Azad, Monica Dogra (Pic courtesy: Parizad), Sukhmani, Tanvi Rao and Sanaya Ardeshir (Pic courtesy: Neville Sukhia)
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Music producer Sanaya Ardeshir, who goes by the moniker Sandunes, has gleaned music from Mumbai’s cacophony — a man washing clothes at Dhobi Ghat, spices being pounded at a factory and the likes. She has dropped the blend as a track in an episode of the three-part series, Searching for Sound. Right before her, singer Anushka Manchanda (of indipop girl band Viva fame) who shot into the limelight with the title track of Golmaal (2006)  launched herself as a music producer with the alias Nuka. On July 20, Saba Kazi’s Madboy/Mink project released their new EP, PESF. From electro cabaret to experimental, folk fusion and more, here’s a look at other women, who have made the scene as music producers and electronica artistes.

ANUSHKA MANCHANDA

After Indipop band Viva, Anushka has sung a number of Bollywood tracks like Allah Duhai (Race 2), Manma Emotion (Dilwale), etc. She has also performed with live acts like Mikey McCleary’s The Bartender. But her most recent feat is her new alias Nuka, which sees her turning music producer, editor and creative producer. She says about her new facet, “I’ve always been a musician first, a singer later. When I was looking for someone to produce my music, I found that nobody else would give me the 100 per cent that I wanted. I had all this music in my head and it was frustrating to have to depend on someone else to programme it for me.” She recently released a single Don’t Be Afraid and plans to put two more tracks out this year. Anushka believes that women have senses and emotions that are differently enabled. “How amazing it is to hear what they produce!” she avers. As Nuka, she plans to play with music, photography, fashion, and film. 

TARANA MARWAH

The Delhi-based girl realised she had a knack for electronica when she was in college and put a couple of songs together while experimenting on her laptop. “I realised I was good at it and started pursuing it maybe a year ago,” says the vocalist and keys player, whose Komorebi is her solo project and has been a part of other bands like Kamakshi Khanna Collective, River and Tankbund. After her debut album Soliloquy, she immediately started working on her next one. “It has been an enriching experience. I have never felt more in sync with my musical voice as I feel now. This is exciting,” says the artiste.

SABA AZAD

One half of Madboy/Mink, Saba Azad is also an actress (Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge and web series Ladies Room) and theatre director. She formed the funk, disco, cabaret electro project with Naseeruddin Shah’s son Imaad in 2012. After their albums, All Ball and Union Farm, their new EP, PESF, has just released. The artiste stands out for her funky singing as well as striking and punk persona. Together, they are a riot on stage.

MONICA DOGRA

The actress and musician needs no introduction. She was among the first to bring women in electronica to the forefront, with Shaai’r + Func wherein she was the former and Randolph Correia the latter. One saw her in Dhobi Ghaat and she also judged the music show, The Stage. She now performs solo as Shaai’r. Naraye Mastana was one of her latest releases.

SUKHMANI

Sukhmani Malik is a Hindustani-trained singer-songwriter, who has been regaling audiences with Punjabi folk and ambient electronica, folktronica if you will, along with Hari Singh. As their gigs reverberate with her powerful vocals, the other half of the project dishes out music and backs her.

TANVI RAO

One half of the Bangalore-based duo Sulk Station, Tanvi Rao is a vocalist and synth player. With her husband Rahul Giri doling out minimalistic production, Tanvi’s sultry vocals, a dash of Indian classical and super ambient contemporary electronic music make them a much sought after deal. They have an LP, Till You Appear, to their credit and their single Aur Nahi is quite popular.

SANAYA ARDESHIR

She is not just a DJ but also a producer, composer and keyboard player. Sanaya’s origins as a musician lie in jazz and blues, and she has played with live bands in the past. Apart from the recently-released number Switching Rails in collaboration with baul musician Malabika Brahma, harpist Nush Lewis, and drummer Aarifah Rebello, Sandunes is spending the summer travelling in Europe for gigs — Rockslide Festival in Denmark and Workshop at Point Blank in London to name a couple. Slybounce and Downstream are among many tracks she is known for.

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