Classical music is a popular genre in India, having two traditions: Hindustani (North Indian classical music) and Carnatic (South Indian). It is a beautiful amalgamation of instruments like Bansuri, Tabla, Harmonium, Sitar, Violin, Veena, etc. The music style takes immense talent that results in beautiful sounds that are calming and leaves the listener in awe! Today, we are covering some commendable female instrumentalists whose skills lie in creating incredible music with their instrument of choice. Let's check out our handpicked list of these musicians.
Admirable Female Classical Instrumentalists:
Nathalie Ramirez (Flute/ Bansuri)
Mexican-based Nathalie Ramirez is a Hindustani Bansuri musician playing the flute for Bollyjazz, a band specialising in mixing classic Bollywood melodies with innovative jazz arrangements. Performing at various shows, you can catch glimpses of her talent on her Instagram, her music transcending one into a state of serenity. She even hosts meditation sessions as her Raags are truly soothing, showering your mind with peace.
Check her out on Instagram
Anupama Bhagwat (Sitar)
Anupama Bhagwat's sitar journey began at nine years, establishing herself as a leading sitarist, performing at various classical music festivals globally. She received awards like a scholarship from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (GoI), standing 1st in the All India Radio Music Competition in 1994, and got grants for several years from the Ohio Arts Council, to name a few. Anupama taught many workshops on various platforms, universities and conservatories. Rolling out her own albums, she uses Instagram and YouTube to showcase her immense talent for playing the sitar beautifully, using music to discover herself.
Check her out on Instagram, YouTube, & her website
Nandini & Ragini Shankar (Violin)
Sisters Nandini and Ragini Shankar hold tremendous talents in playing the violin, both coming from a family with a musical lineage. While Nandini is a part of INK, Ragini is part of India's first all-girl classical music band— Sakhi. Ragini was merely four and Nandini three when they began their journey as music maestros, performing at various prestigious concerts nationally and internationally, teaching at Rajam School of Violin and were faculty at Whistling Woods International – School of Music. They share their talent on various platforms, Instagram as one of them, seamlessly immersing listeners into another world with their music.
Check out Nandini Shankar on her Instagram and Website Check out Ragini Shankar on her Instagram and Website
Mitali Khargonkar (Tabla)
Mitali Khargonkar, daughter of well-known artist Shri Vilas Khargonkar, received her first lessons in tabla from him, carrying the legacy as the fifth-gen. Her talents are seen in TVCs and movies, a rare for a female tabla player, also honing the skills of a percussionist. Alongside her husband— Tejas, they are known as Tejas & Mitali Collective, having their own YouTube Channel to showcase their musical talents. Receiving several awards and scholarships for tabla playing, Mitali is multi-faceted, running an all-girls instrumental band, collaborating with several great artists in India and internationally, also playing solo. Dive into her Instagram as she plays classical and covers Bollywood, doing it all flawlessly!
Check her out on Instagram and YouTube
Jayanthi Kumaresh (Veena)
Jayanthi Kumaresh is a Saraswathi Veena musician, also from a lineage of musicians, playing the instrument since the age of three. Showcasing her talents at various music festivals in India and globally, you'll find she has collaborated with many notable musicians, holding a doctorate for her works. She even holds workshops and lectures for those interested in diving into the art of playing the Veena, holding demonstrations globally. Award-winning Jayanthi has even composed and released an album using a single instrument (the Veena) known as "Mysterious Duality", also having found the Indian National Orchestra, a group of talented artists from both classical music genres. She has a series of short videos on Instagram called Cup 'O Carnatic, featuring different variants under the name, diving into ragams or practising music she learned a long time ago.
Check her out on Instagram, YouTube & her Website