INDIA’S FIRST FEMALE ROCK BAND- “MERI ZINDAGI”
The existence of India’s first female band — ‘MZ Female Band’ has indeed given the right definition to women empowerment and made music a revolution.
Five magenta sari-clad women make their way through an excited crowd hooting for India’s first all-female mission band, Meri Zindagi. Carrying guitars, keyboards, drums and utensils from the kitchen they sing their hearts out. Their songs are not only about their euphonious voices, but about the positive message they share as well. They have conducted numerous campaigns and led campaigns, specifically for women’s emancipation, and have stood indomitable in the face of challenges.
A female band whose cornerstone was laid by Dr. Jaya Tiwari, a talented and enthusiastic woman herself, in the year 2010 when she saw that only males dominated bands. She wanted to give a blow to the stereotype that women have in Indian society, so she picked up her guitar to lead the female band and is still rocking!
Without compromising the message, they aim to make the songs as peppy as possible to draw the audience, full of positivity. In their lyrics lies the essence of their songs. The songs discuss issues that will be related to by any girl or woman.
They sing about daily stories, whether it be from any strata of society.
Apart from their unique approach to music, what sets them apart is the subject of the songs, as all of them revolve around social issues, especially those about women. They feel that their music has a mission to make India better. The songs of “Meri Zindagi” focus on issues like girl child education, women health, breastfeeding, and so on. They have also been part of government campaigns.
‘Dreaming ke pressure cooker ki seeti ko bajney do
Kajal chudi bindi jhumke payal se sajney doo
Mere hausalon ke shankh naad bajney do bajney do bajney do’
A few lines from their song illustrates the daily lives of these and many more women. Their songs draw inspiration from their common lives,the whistle of the pressure cooker reflects the wake-up call to dreams, to get ready and face the world head-on with the power and their dedication.
The group has written more than 70 songs so far, including jingles for All India Radio, UP Mahila Police, CRS-Gurgaon Ki Awaz and Women Power Line 1090. More than 100 series, both in rural and urban areas, were also performed by them. A few successful campaigns have also been launched, such as ‘no sutta’ (anti-smoking), #humkaalehain (color prejudice) and #maaki (against derogatory female-centric slangs).
The issues they raise affect not just women, but men as well. And that is why the band has so many male supporters. At the end of the day, gender equality is not about shifting oppression from one group to the other. It is about eliminating it,”
By-
Shruti Jain
