MUMBAI: Channel V, in its earlier music avatar, spawned what we all remember as India's first all girls band Viva comprising Neha Bhasin, Anushka Manchanda, Mahua Kamat, Pratichee Mohapatra and Seema Ramchandani. 

Spawned by the channel's talent hunt back in 2002, they won a million hearts. Not many however are aware that the real female stars on the Indian music scene  were the 'Mad Hatters' - a group of Delhi University girl students who formed a band of their own back in 1962. We have come a long way since then, and girl bands, though few and far between, hold their own in the Indian music space. Here are a few you should know about.

Afflatus:

Formed in 2004, Afflatus, also pronounced ‘Uh-flay-tus’ (it means divine inspiration), is an all-girl band based in Shillong. The band features Grace Miller on vocals, Karen Donoghue on guitars, Sharon Zadeng on bass and Mercy Miller on drums. These women have numerous awards tucked into their belts, including a national award on their debut gig.

Check out one of their songs:

The Vinyl Records

Based out of Delhi, The Vinyl Records is a four member all-girl post-punk/ indie rock band. It includes Cheyyrian Bark on vocals and guitar, Banu Jini on vocals, Minam Tekseng on bass and Mithy Tatak on drums and percussion. The band is in all likelihood the most rebellious all-female band in the country. They have played sets in India and abroad too. The most attention-grabbing thing about this band is on its stage spunk.

Check out one of their songs:

The Tetseo Sisters:

Hailing from Kohima, Nagaland, The Tetseo Sisters is the four most talented siblings from the Land of the Seven Sisters. Mercy, Azi, Kuvelü and Alüne, The Tetseo sisters started their journey back in 1994. They cover genres like folk, fusion, pop and western along with ‘Li’, the Naga folk genre. They have performed in different gigs all over the country and won plentiful awards. The most significant part about them is their love for customary attire even when they are performing on stage.

Check out one of their songs:

Genesis Of Pink:

‘Genesis of Pink’ is a new generation four-piece all-girl band from Sikkim. Formed in 2013, the girls have taken the nation by storm with their music and good spirit. The band comprises Mahima Apchunna Rai as lead singer as well as rhythm guitarist, Dechen Gyurmi Zangmu as lead guitarist, Annies Pamo Lucksom on bass guitar, and Shrishti Rai on keyboards. The key thing about their music is its versatility and rebelliousness in the tune. They aim to have an effect on societal living and issues like rape and violence.

Check out one of their songs:

The Void

Formed in 2014, 'The Void' is an all girl rock band from Bengaluru. These girls know how to rock and roll. The band comprises Vinaya Mary Grace as a lead guitarist, Rithika Perumal on bass guitar, Suvarna Magaji on drums and Felsy Hubert Royer as a lead vocalist. They consider bands like Switchfoot, Nirvana, Aerosmith and many others as their muse and that replicates quite well in their melody. The genre of the band’s music includes soft/hard rock, pop/punk rock, classic rock, alternative rock and reggae.

Check out one of their songs: