Recording Studio
in a bus: Safe Spaces for Women

I am Krantinaari, a rapper and communication designer, recognized as the "voice of revolution" in hip-hop. For four years, I've journeyed across our nation, seeking the untold stories and sounds of women in music. Along this path, I've encountered a tapestry of experiences—some enlightening, others disheartening. Despite my roots in Mumbai granting me easy studio access, I witnessed a troubling reality: it became increasingly arduous for women elsewhere to claim their space. This disparity sparked a fire within me, igniting a quest for answers. Through my investigations, I uncovered a dark truth: countless women endured the horrors of sexual harassment, abuse, and unjust treatment within studio walls. These injustices, fueled by the objectification of women, cast a shadow over their dreams and aspirations in music. It was a revelation that struck a chord deep within me, resonating with my own experiences of harassment during studio sessions. This epiphany spurred me into action, propelling me to join forces with Manzil Mystics in crafting a mobile recording studio—a ray of hope in a landscape riddled with inequality.

SOUND OF WOMEN

A Recording Studio in a Bus :

Support Safe Studio Spaces and increase the ratio of women in music industry

Empower Women in Music by Krantinaari

Krantinaari translates to Revolutionary women

THE PROBLEM

I moved to Nainital for a few months to explore and understand the culture of the Kumaon region, setting up my work from my room. My project focused on investigating how a language without a script stays alive through the years. I discovered that music and community storytelling played significant roles in this preservation.

To document and record samples from local women, I needed a studio. Finding one was challenging, but when I eventually did, my visit to assess its logistics and technical capabilities was deeply disappointing and uncomfortable. The lack of a safe, comfortable space prevented me from voicing my concerns.

Upon further research and discussions with other women, I found that my experiences were not unique. Many women had abandoned their musical pursuits, convinced they could not have a career in the field unless they tolerated objectification and abuse.

I spent four years gathering stories from women, not only in Uttarakhand but also in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Kalimpong, and even cities like Mumbai. It was not just physical but mental abuse that affected women, driving them away from music and art. This extensive journey revealed how pervasive the issues of objectification and the lack of safe spaces for women in music and storytelling are, cutting across both rural and urban areas.

THE SOLUTION

To create a more inclusive and equitable music landscape, we need to address

these unsafe studio environments. Our innovative solution involves establishing

a mobile studio setup exclusively for women. This initiative will provide:

Safe Spaces: Mobile studios offering a secure environment for music creation, r

ecording, and distribution under the guidance of female studio engineers.

Accessibility: Remote music-making resources in accessible locations,

making it easier for women to approach the music-making process.

Education: Courses and workshops offering guidance and constant

encouragement to pursue their dreams in a structured way.

Comprehensive Programs: A qualitative program designed to cover different

spectrums of music, from production to publishing and establishing

themselves as artists.

THE IMPACT

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Social Change: More women's perspectives documented in music can drive societal change and combat patriarchy.

Leadership: Empowering more women to become independent

music creators and leaders.

Advocacy: Encouraging more women to speak up for their

rights and have a strong voice in the industry.

Innovation: Inspiring women to work towards building

systems and solutions for their communities.

Inclusivity: Helping more women break caste-based

barriers and fostering a more inclusive society.

Cultural Shift: Women leaders can reshape societal ideas,

making it a more nurturing and equitable place to live.

Language preservation: Highlighting the pivotal role of

women in music as a means to preserve dying languages.

Here's how documenting music and folk songs can aid in the

preservation of dying languages:

Oral Tradition: Many endangered languages rely heavily on oral traditions. Folk songs passed down through generations serve as repositories of linguistic and cultural heritage. Documenting these songs ensures that future generations have access to the language and cultural knowledge embedded within them.
Memory Aid: Music has a remarkable ability to aid memory retention. People often find it easier to remember lyrics and melodies than plain text. By encoding linguistic elements into songs, communities can preserve vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation patterns in a format that is easier to retain and transmit.
Cultural Identity: Language is a fundamental aspect of cultural identity. Music and folk songs are integral parts of cultural expression, reinforcing the connection between language and identity. By preserving these linguistic elements, communities can maintain a sense of cultural continuity and pride.
Community Engagement: Documenting music and folk songs can foster community engagement and collaboration. It provides an opportunity for language speakers, musicians, scholars, and enthusiasts to come together to celebrate and preserve their cultural heritage.
Cross-Cultural Understanding: Music transcends linguistic barriers and can facilitate cross-cultural understanding. By sharing recorded songs and music, communities can raise awareness about their language and culture, fostering appreciation and support from a wider audience.

Overall, documenting music and folk songs offers a multifaceted approach to language preservation, combining linguistic, cultural, and artistic elements to ensure the survival of endangered languages for future generations.