The Indian Music Experience Museum in Bengaluru recently concluded its third edition of the Women’s History, Art, and Music (WHAM) festival. Running from March 20 to April 5, the 2026 programming centered the histories and creative practices of women across India’s musical traditions. The festival presented live performances, archival exhibitions, and community discussions. For listeners and active participants in the independent music scene, the event provided clear documentation of how women have shaped both classical foundations and modern production.
Bridging Historical Roots and Modern Sets
The schedule paired historical retrospectives with contemporary acts. A permanent exhibit focusing on the late surbahar player Annapurna Devi opened with guided walks detailing her role as a teacher and instrumentalist. On the performance side, vocalist Shubha Mudgal presented “Mukta: Women, Sexuality & Song,” while electronic music veteran Ma Faiza hosted a curated rooftop listening session. Independent artist Bawari Basanti performed original music, blending vocal rebellion with modern arrangements. This cross-genre approach allowed attendees to observe the direct lineage from early recording pioneers to current independent artists.
Archival Work and Funding
Beyond live music, the festival prioritized research and archival preservation. The “Her Voice, Her Story” traveling exhibition tracked the evolution of recorded sound in India through the women who first committed their voices to wax cylinders and gramophone records. Organizers also launched the IME Grants during the festival to fund original intersectional research in Indian music. If you are researching the roots of local genres or tracing historical production methods, initiatives like this offer funding and institutional support for independent scholars.
Mainstream narratives often sideline the structural contributions of women in music. Festivals like WHAM correct these historical gaps by providing documented evidence and active stages for women creators. Attending or studying the programming of such events gives you a sharper understanding of the regional music sector. You see exactly who laid the groundwork for the modern independent circuit and who continues to drive performance and production today.
