ANURADHA PAL’S STREE SHAKTI

First all-girl Hindustani Carnatic fusion band

Anuradha Pal has always been among the strongest advocates for women’s empowerment. Catalysed by her own challenges and experiences, Anuradha formed STREE SHAKTI – India’s first all-girls Classical band in 1996, to provide a platform to and inspire other talented girls and women who were similarly discriminated against. Her team members credit her with boosting their confidence, uniting gifted female Musicians (Hindustani, Carnatic Classical and folk, Vocalists, instrumentalists and percussionists), creating career opportunities, thereby inspiring many more girls, through Stree Shakti concerts in prestigious festivals across the world.

Stree Shakti band has been enthralling worldwide audiences with its flawless presentation of engaging combinations from both, Hindustani & Carnatic systems of Indian music. A unique combination of melody, poetry & rhythm fusing the traditional with the contemporary, with power packed World Percussion, is what gives Anuradha Pal’s Stree Shakti band, a discernible edge & explains its popularity.

Anuradha Pal’s Stree Shakti band features top Indian women musicians, led by the World renowned Tabla Maestro, Pandita Anuradha Pal on Tabla, African Djembe, Turkish Darabuka & World percussion.

This innovative & path-breaking band challenges gender stereotypes & biases, celebrating the emergence of woman power in the ‘male-bastion of Indian Rhythm’, promoting female empowerment, inclusion, opportunity, equality & dignity.

Anuradha Pal’s Stree Shakti has performed at the world famous WOMAD Festival (U.K. 1999) for 150,000 fans. This performance won great appreciation from the Rock star Sting, who ‘was blown away by their show’ & even hailed them as the ‘Indian Spice Girls’.

The band also collaborated with the Pan African Orchestra for a concert tour of England, Ireland & Scotland in 2002.

Stree Shakti’s major performances at Prestigious International Music Festivals include the Rhythm Sticks Festival, Oldham Mela, BBC Music Live, Common Wealth Games Festival, City of London Festival, Cardiff Jazz Festival, Asian Music Festival, Bangkok International Music Festival and in India for ICCR, SAARC & CHOGM Summit, SRA – ITC Sangeet Sammelan, Spirit of Unity Concerts, Nehru Centre, NCPA, Sacred Spirit Festival, Malleshwaram Sangeeth Sabha, Hydourite Festival, Pracheen Kala Kendra, Bangalore Percussive Arts, World Music festival, Bharat Bhavan, MP Kala Parishad, Lilavati Hospital to name a few.