Women have played a huge role in Hindustani music – as performers, composers, teachers, and innovators – often in the face of social and cultural challenges.
Historical context
In earlier centuries, formal classical training and performance were often restricted to hereditary families and male court musicians. Women sometimes learned and performed within:
- Temple traditions.
- Courtesan (tawaif) culture, which preserved many musical forms.
- Regional and folk contexts.
Breaking into the mainstream
In the 19th and 20th centuries, more women began appearing on public stages and recordings, becoming major forces in:
- Khayal and Thumri singing.
- Dhrupad revival.
- Instrumental music and teaching.
Their presence helped normalize women as respected classical artists and gurus, not just patrons or informal performers.
Ongoing contributions
Today, women are central to every aspect of Hindustani music:
- Leading gharanas and teaching lineages.
- Innovating new fusion and cross-cultural projects.
- Researching, documenting, and preserving musical heritage.
For students and listeners, recognizing the contributions of women helps complete the picture of Hindustani music as a living, shared tradition shaped by many voices across gender, region, and community.