They are no less talented than the male composers, so why most of them didn't prefer music composition as their profession? Is Bollywood gender biased? Don't they get paid as much as the male composers? Why don't they get recognition and their deserved success? These questions would remain unanswered forever. Well, lets have a look at some of the female composers of Bollywood, who in spite of proving their mettle, didn't stay long in this field.
Ishrat Sultana
Even before Jaddan Bai, who is generally assumed to be the first music director of Bollywood, it was Ishrat Sultana who composed music for the movie Adl-E-Jahangir, which released in 1934. Other than this film, Bibbo, as she is fondly called, also composed music for Qazzak Ki Ladki.
Tumhi Ne Mujhko Prem Sikhaya Audio Song from Adl-E-Jahangir
Jaddanbai
Jaddan Bai was a multi-faceted personality, and she proved her talent not only an actress but also a singer, filmmaker and music director. Some may not know that she is the mother of the legendary actress Nargis. The 1935 movie Talashe Haq is a notable film in her career as a music director..
Phool Gendwa Na Maaro Audio Song
Saraswati Devi
She had worked as a music director for around 34 films, among which the 1936 movies Achut Kanya and Jeevan Nayya are her most notable works. This talented lady was active as a music composer till 1961.
Main Ban Ke Chidiya Video Song From Achut Kanya
Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
The multi-talented actress has been credited with being the first music director of Kollywood. Chakrapani and Ippadiyum Oru Penn are a couple of films for which she composed music.
Oh Priyuraala Audio Song From Chakrapani
Usha Khanna
Owing to her fame, many think that she is the first music director of Indian Cinema.
Dil Deke Dekho of 1959 was her debut work, following which she became an instant hit among the masses. Later on, this successful music director, alongwith her producer cum director cum lyricist husband, offered us the superhit 1983 film
Souten. Unlike other female composers, she went on to pursue music composition for over 60 movies. Now, this is truly a commendable feat for a woman in the male-dominated composition industry.
Dil Deke Dekho Full Music Album
Bhavatharini
Apart from being a singer, the daughter of music maestro
Ilaiyaraaja, is also a great music director. She composed music for the Revathi directorial venture
Mitr, My Friend.
Avunaa,
Phir Milenge and
Vellachi are the other projects for which she composed music.
Asha Hoo Video Song From Mitr, My Friend
A.R. Reihana
Being the sister of the oscar winner A.R. Rahman, Reihana composed music for Machi, but after that, she was not successful as a music composer. However, she pursued singing as a career after that.
Manamae En Mayakkam Video Song From Machi
Shivi R. Kashyap
This efficient lady who is a professional singer as well as music director, has composed music for films including
Tere Mere Phere.
Shruti Haasan
Well, we all know this gorgeous girl for her singing and acting prowess, but do you know that she also composed music for her father’s film Unnaipol Oruvan? However, for reasons better known to her, she didn’t pursue a career in music composition. Rumours suggest that she felt that music composition would require more concentration. Nevertheless, the sexy lady is striking gold in every field.
Allah Jaane Video Song From Unnai Pol Oruvan
Sneha Khanwalkar
How many of you are aware that she delivered hit albums, what with in the form of
Gangs of Wasseypur and
Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2? Quite a few, eh? She is also known well for her score for the film,
Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!. She had been nominated in Best Music Director category at the
58th Filmfare Awards for the
Gangs of Wasseypur series. She is only the second woman to gain a nomination in this category 28 years after
Usha Khanna. Apart from these, she also got to compose a song for
Sarkar Raj and
Singh Is Bliing (
Tung Tung Baaje). Her other famous works include
Youngistaan,
Khoobsurat and
Detective Byomkesh Bakshy.
Jasleen Royal
Jasleen Kaur Royal is a singer, songwriter and a music composer who sings in Punjabi, Hindi, as well as, in English. She entered Bollywood in September 2014 with a song titled
Preet from the movie
Khoobsurat. Later on 2015, she sang
Badla Badla from
Badlapur. She got major recognition through the songs
Nachde Ne Saare & Kho Gaye Hum Kahaan from
बार बार देखो. Her other notable works include
Raatein from
शिवाय,
Love You Zindagi from
डियर ज़िन्दगी,
Chhota Hoon Main from
Dear Dad, and
Kidre Jawaan from
Haraamkhor.