Female Artists Shaping India’s Indie Scene

The past few years have marked a golden era for India’s indie music scene; taking over playlists, parties, and everything in between, and inspiring a new generation of musicians. At the heart of this wave are bold, creative women redefining storytelling through sound. Discover Platform’s list of female voices in indie music from across the country, and add a splash of colour to your everyday.
 
Sarah Black
Chennai based Sarah Black’s personal approach to song-writing is what sets her apart. Her sonic landscape varies from genre-bending Tamil music, to R&B and electronic pop. Her recent single Red is the perfect culmination of these interests, with a stunning music video and rusty vocals. It is playful but also powerful, turning heartbreak into a musical spectacle.

Frizzell D’Souza
Frizzell D’Souza, whose musical journey began with making covers on YouTube, has now created a well-established space for herself, and has since blossomed into a promising indie career. Her music, gentle yet deeply felt, captures the tender in-betweens of love, longing, and self-discovery. Her most recent EP, In My Asymmetry, is introspective and quiet, but in the most powerful way possible.

Nida Siddiqui
Pune-based singer-songwriter and producer Nida Siddiqui recently introduced her debut album, Glimpses, which reflects her delicate artistry, and is a heartfelt collection that traces her personal growth, nostalgia, and quiet optimism, capturing her journey of self-discovery through intimate songwriting and production. Glimpses is only the beginning of her story, and she is sure to extend storylines and emotional threads from this collection onto her ventures in the future.
 
Anika Bharwani
Inspired by artists like Lizzy McAlpine, Bon Iver and Adrianne Lenker, Anika Bharwani’s sound is intimate, reflective, and unafraid. There’s no playing it safe—just an unapologetic pursuit of truth. Five Foot Three is songwriter-singer Anika’s debut album, an ode to all the heights she once was before reaching the one she stands at now. Spanning 7 tracks, the album maps a coming-of-age journey shaped by Anika’s evolving values and inner world. It’s tender, grounded, and curious: asking what it really means to grow up.

Bombaymami
Swiss-Indian singer Bombaymami’s music features a blend of her multi-cultural background, and is sure to have you grooving in no time. She experiments with R&B, Hip-hop and even Indian classical sounds in her own music, which make for perfect music for a night-out. Her single Fire in Delhi, is a representation of the very cultural intersectionality that she stands for.

Meba Ofilia
One of India’s most compelling new voices in hip-hop, Meba Ofilia brings soul and confidence to the table. Rooted in her Khasi heritage, she often channels tribal sounds and traditional chants into her songs, as seen in her project Golden. Her magnetic presence has driven her to the forefront of India’s evolving hip-hop landscape.

Reble
Reble’s artistic aim has always been to represent North-East India through her music, as a result of which her razor-sharp flow and unique production are intended to inspire those like herself to come forward and put themselves out there. Being one of the very few female rappers to come out of Meghalaya, her contribution to rap in India is already commendable. Her latest single New Riot is a treat to the ears.

Anumita Nadesan
During the pandemic, many turned to Anumita Nadesan’s videos for comfort and solace. After a long journey in making videos online, she ventured into original music in 2022, and has been unstoppable since then. Her latest EP, rang, features exciting collaborations like sudan and Janisht Joshi, and it’s safe to say, her voice is just as reassuring as it always was.

Tanmaya Bhatnagar
Born in India and currently living in Germany, Tanmaya Bhatnagar is certainly not a new name in the Indian indie music range. However, her newest EP Phoolon Sa Dil is flowing, evocative, and sincere. Produced by Dhurv Bola and Amar Pandey, this album blends indie folk and pop wonderfully.