MUMBAI: Well, on this International Women's Day, a lot of social events take place around the world to mark the ongoing fight for equality, sexual harassment, abuse, conversely we at Radioandmusic.com thought of paying tribute to those women who are creating waves in the music industry for quite a long time now. They have proved that their dreams are valid. Be it their ability, be it personality or their affinity to raise their voice no matter what. 

Here is what we have got.

Sunidhi Chauhan 

Sunidhi, who debuted at the age of 13, with the song 'Ladki Deewani Dekho' alongside Udit Narayan, won the first singing reality show on DD National titled 'Meri Awaz Suno' in the same year. She also received the ‘Lata Mangeshkar Trophy’ for the best female singer of India and never looked back since.

She has been a part of a musical concert to raise awareness and funds for eye donations in 2014; also Chauhan has performed in Yuvraj Singh's social initiative ‘YouWeCan’, which aims to fight cancer by spreading awareness about the disease. She has also lent her voice for a music video of John Lennon's ‘Imagine’ which was created as part of a global campaign by UNICEF to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Her style of singing, tone, and persona are something one would die for. In that addition, her popular numbers include ‘Mast’ (Mast), ‘Mehboob Mere’ (Fiza), ‘Deedaar De’ (Dus), ‘Shut-Up and Bounce’ (Dostana), ‘Kaisi Paheli’ (Parineeta), ‘Beedi Jalayi Le’ (Omkara), ‘Crazy Kiya Re’ (Dhoom 2), ‘Chor Bazaari’ (Love Aaj Kal), ‘Ainvayi Ainvayi’ (Band Baaja Baaraat), ‘Kamli’ (Dhoom 3) and Ishq Sufiyana (Dirty Picture) among others.

Sona Mohapatra

Sona, who is an engineer, also an MBA gave it all up to pursue her first love that is music. Her rise to fame was ‘Bedardi Raja’ and ‘I Hate You’ (Like I Love You) for ‘Delhi Belly’, ‘Jiya Laage Na’ (Talaash) and ‘Ambarasiya’ (Fukrey), Lori (Family), Daav Laga (Aagey Se Right) amongst others. However, her self-titled debut album ‘Sona’ had several hit music videos like ‘Tere Ishq Nachaya’, ‘Bolo Na’ and ‘Aaja Ve’.

Monica Dogra

Monic Dogra, the US-based Indian-origin artiste got her Bollywood fame after the song ‘Dooriyan Bhi Hai Zaroori’ with Vishal Dadlani in the film ‘Break Ke Baad’. Monica’s debut album was ‘New Day: The Love Album’ (2007) as ‘Shaa’ir and Func’ comprising of herself and Randolph Correia, the guitarist (Pentagram fame). Also, Monica, who is popular in the independent music scene in India, released her solo album ‘Spit’ in January 2016 and got an Emmy nomination for her international docu-series ‘Woman With Gloria Steinem’ in the following year. Dogra released her much controversial music video art project ‘Shiver’ on 26 September 2016, which she considers as her large collaborative project. She is eccentric, unconventional and has been a part of the musical revolution in India for almost ten years. 

Neha Bhasin

Neha Bhasin, who was also a part of the all-girl band ‘Viva’, is severely evolving and versatile. Bollywood fame came to Neha after the song ‘Kuch Khaas Hai’ (Fashion) and ‘Dhunki’ (Mere Brother Ki Dulhan) for what she won Stardust Awards in 2011. ‘Kuch Khaas Hai’ topped the charts when it was released in 2008. For her recent song ‘Jag Ghoomeya’ (Sultan) she won Stardust Awards in 2016 and Filmfare Awards in 2017.

Also, she has collaborated with Malaysian Hip-Hop star Emcee Jesz for the song ‘Thaniye’, which got over 300,000 views on YouTube alone. In addition, she is the first Indian female singer to endorse Sennheiser – The leading German brand for microphones and other audio equipment. Her attitude, never following the norm outlook are things to take pride for. 

Raja Kumari

Svetha Rao, professionally known as Raja Kumari is an Indian-American songwriter, rapper and recording artiste. She is also notable for receiving as a songwriter, the BMI Pop Awards in 2016, and being nominated for a Grammy award in February 2015. She has also featured on BBC Asian Network programme Bobby Friction in 2016, performed at NH7 weekender Pune along with rapper Divine.

Raja Kumari is best known for her collaboration with notable artistes including Gwen Stefani, Iggy Azalea, and Fifth Harmony.

Anushka Manchanda

Anushka Manchanda, best known for the all-girl band ‘Viva’, has become a brand of a musician now, who is fiercely distinctive and ever evolving. Debuted in Bollywood with Golmaal’s title track, ‘Tu Saala’, there was no turning back for her. Her method of singing, unique husky texture, and persona are matchless. Her popular numbers include ‘Aali Re’ (No One Killed Jessica), ‘Naughty Naughty’ (Cash), ‘Dum Maaro Dum’ title track and ‘Ek Main aur Ek Tu’ title track, ‘Dance Basanti’ (Ungli) among others. 

Shalmali Kholgade

Famous for songs such as ‘Pareshaan’ ( Ishaqzaade), ‘Daaru Desi’ ( Cocktail), ‘Aga Bai’ (Aiyyaa), ‘Lat Lag Gayi’ (Race 2) and ‘Balam Pichkari’ (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani), the Marathi Mulgi has powerful voice, versatility and a girl next door attitude. The singer who is presently judging 'Dil Hai Hindustani', on Star Plus, got pretty much rave reviews for her last song ‘Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai (Sultan)