'Just male presence...': Shreya on fewer women in music industry
What's the story
National award-winning singer Shreya Ghoshal has recently expressed concerns over the gender imbalance in the Indian music industry.
She feels opportunities for female vocalists are being reduced.
In a podcast interview with YouTuber Lilly Singh, Ghoshal opened up about her journey in the industry and pointed out a major gap between male and female artists.
Gender disparity
Ghoshal emphasizes need for female representation
Ghoshal highlighted how male-dominated the music and film industries are.
She said, "There are a number of songs that should be female. The ratio is 90:10 — 90 being male-voiced songs, 10 female."
"It is that lopsided. Female presence in music or films has always been little secondary."
"The hero has a bigger importance and role. Very few films are female-oriented where the protagonist is a female where she has the maximum part and the storyline is mostly about her."
Female filmmakers
Ghoshal calls for more female filmmakers
The singer also praised her frequent collaborator, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
"Except Sanjay Leela Bhansali there are very few filmmakers who take pride in showing the feminine side of stories."
"So there are a lot of doors that need to be broken with full force. The times will soon change hopefully."
Female presence
Ghoshal's observations on female representation in music
During her chat with Singh, Ghoshal said she was surprised at how few women were part of the music industry.
"In our music industry, I meet many people every day including lyricists, singers, composers. But very few are women," she said.
"I can count them on my finger. There are very few female songwriters or technicians."
"There is just only male presence at all times. I find it very bewildering."
Female perspective
Ghoshal advocates for female lyricists and composers
Ghoshal also pushed for more women in songwriting and composition.
She emphasized how challenging it is for men to write love songs that reflect women's emotions.
"It is always the man interpreting what she might be feeling or thinking. Let's get a girl to write and compose," she urged, stressing that we need more female voices in creating music.