Concert and performance arts organisers still do not believe that women artistes can be the headlining act and push them somewhere randomly, says Zila Khan, who is putting together an all-woman event this weekend. By Ramya Palisetty
Even if Ustad Vilayat Khan hadn’t given his daughter permission to learn classical music, Zila khan would still be a singer. Music is her lifeline, synonymous to the air necessary for breathing. A musical scientist who thoroughly does her research in lyrics and literature– past and present to bring about innovation in her concerts,has sacrificed her earnings, suffered and given her sweat and blood for the cause of women empowerment. Maestros like Pandit Birju Maharaj were in agreement with her for conferring women with the title of Ustad.
There is a massive disparity in the representation of women artists at festivals across the globe. This was prevalent more so during the earlier days because the front runners were men beginning from businesses to corporates, banks to countries ruled by men. Though, over time, we are able to see a growing curve with women CEOs dominating the corporate sector but we haven’t seen that kind of development in the field of music and art. “These instances have always irked me. I have seen disparity very closely. After looking at individuals working passionately for empowerment of women, I wanted to create a unified platform with only women musicians and artists. There are hardly any festivals that cater to only women artists. I have been thinking about this concept for a long time. And the idea clicked with Arré, our partner for the Arré Siren festival. The name Siren was coined as it has many connotations to it.The team at Arré believed that this could not only be a great platform for building an electrically charged community of young, liberated, and forward-thinking women who will shape a more equal future for all of us but also very differentiated property driven via digital content, that will bring together renowned musicians, stand-up comedians and role models to celebrate a year that has been seminal for women across the world.”
Usually people assume that the gathering of funds and investors for an unconventional project is difficult but the scenario is slowly changing. Said the virtuoso, “I feel that the cause of gender equality is one of its kind and any organisation worth its salt would invest in a venture to bring about a change. None of us can win the battle by fighting alone. We need to stand together keeping in mind the bigger picture. The way youngsters are taking up the cause is a refreshing sight to behold.”
As with any other profession, artists still sing in festivals to earn their bread and butter even if they are not given a headline. “I have been bestowed with privileges but I want to bring in the perspective of view of a common artist to the forefront where the struggles are unimaginable. This festival might not be the only way to go about spreading awareness and bridging the skewed ratio but it is a kickass way of doing it.”
Ustad Ma feels that every individual has the innate willingness to do good but they require a path and someone to guide them towards it. “We should always believe that none of us are bigger than the cause.”
Surprised by the evolving trends where women artists are not given enough representation and due credit, Zila Khan asserts that music was the only profession that was dominated by women before they began gaining financial independence working in offices. “Music was a profession handcrafted for women but the once who chose it became outcast, disowned from their so-called respectable families. More women singers should be out there breaking the stereotypes but they have been suppressed by the orthodox music companies and music festival organisers which is the reason for this disparity to arise in the first place. Think of the magnitude of the oppression that must be prevalent for the ratio to be so biased.”
Men of our country shy away from celebrating the greatest women singers. Said she, “There is still so much to do. It feels like we have just scratched the surface till now. A small little pipsqueak of an artist , if he is a man gets the same title and privilege as a great hard working real women which is unfair.”
Growing up, her father with a rich lineage was a legendary sitar maestro who changed with the changing times. “I was able to grasp the teachings which were taught to the boys and that’s what led to a change in my father. It might have made him realise that he has got a talent house in his own household who is unlike anyone. It’s not easy for a traditional father to bring a change in the system prevalent for generations. Vilayat Khan was a purist and when he does something, everyone bows down because he would only do it with the best of intentions and a vision for a better tomorrow.”
The title of Ustad wasn’t given to women earlier. Instead they were called Begum, Shrimathi and Kumari based on their marital status. The Sufi singer was always aware of this misconduct but 10 years back, she thought of conferring the title to other great musicians and thus began the tradition of calling women artists with the title of Guru Ma or doctor instead of Shrimathi or Begum.
The title Ustad Ma was chosen by the singer as it had a new element. Said she, “I wanted people to look into the matter to understand why it is being used. I wanted to create a buzz around it. It is an important achievement because a woman should not be known only by her marital status but should be defined by her profession. It was the first step in world music history for women empowerment to give the great musicians their due credit. But the wait was far too long.”
Opinionated and bold, Zila has never compromised her principles, come what may. “I stood my ground from the very beginning though people did try to pull me down. There are a lot of women artists who have let organisers take credit for their own compositions. I did suffer professionally because I wasn’t ready to settle at any cost. Snatching someone’s right is an injustice. Festival organisers should be grateful to women artists because without them, there won’t be a festival per se.”
The scenario is changing with women standing up for each other. All the artists who were unable to do anything earlier can speak up because no one can abuse the basic rights of a human being.
“Before my time, there have been women pathbreakers who created equal gender equality awareness. In my time, I have been a pathbreaker. Our children have seen our struggle and and the world around them and they know how to make it better. Our grandchildren will have only seen what the previous generation has implemented and how they rectified and solved the struggles of equality. They would have seen a different time rather than the struggling time so they won’t be influenced by our journey. They will start their own journey from their point of view for equality in their generation. In two to three generations, we would have a better and more powerful tool to work with for empowerment. In the present time, we have converted an emotional tool into a power tool because our start was an emotional and unequal one. They would see a better and equal world.The future generations will work from a powerful stand,” Zila said.
In the end, your time for a cause is the most valuable gift you can contribute in your lifetime.