The first of its kind in the hill-state of Uttarakhand is an all-female music band called ‘Womenia Band.’ Over the years, the group has won hearts of fans not only in their home-state but as far as Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab, Delhi, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Started two years ago, the Band mades its official launch on 8th of March 2016. The band consists of four women all from varied backgrounds and different age-group. Vocalist and Guitar player Swati Singh (34), Shakumbari Kotnala (41) bass guitarist, Deepika Panthri (26) Vocalist and Keyboard player, along with Srividya Kotnala all of 13 and the youngest in the band is a vocalist as well as a percussionist.
Speaking to team Newspost Swati Singh tells us, “I enjoyed music since I was a child and so did my parents who have supported my passion to date,” a passion which led to her launching her own music band. Swati heads Saptak College of Performing Arts in Dehradun and it was here in her Music Institute that she found like-minded, passionate artists like herself who then came on board and ‘Womenia Band‘ was created.
Talking about her Band members, we start with the youngest. Srividya Kotnala all of 13, is a class 9th student of Pinehall School who has found the perfect balance in doing well in her studies as well as following her passion being a percussionist. We then have Shakumbari Kotnala, a house-maker who despite her endless chores has made sure that she gives ample time to the Band. Banker Deepika Panthari left her lucrative job in the banking sector and is a full-time member of ‘Womenia Band.‘ As for Swati Singh, Womenia Band is her child and she along with her team-mates has managed to nurture and keep the band together for the past two years and counting.
Like all start-ups, the band too had a shaky start but have now been in on a roll, pelting out Hindi Bollywood numbers, Classical fusion, Sufi songs and even Garhwali folk songs for their fans.
Today ‘Womenia Band’ has played to arenas across the country from lounges to official government events such as H2 Square, H2 Club, TGIP, Pacific Mall, Uttarakhand Festival, Uttarakhand Police Marathon, @ Tihar Jail, Delhi Police Show and Mussoorie Carnival to name a few.
And the way their are going, there is no stopping Womenia! Who have everyone swaying and dancing to their tunes.
