Take Five: Women

Every other Tuesday, I bring together five songs that have something in common. As it was International Women's Day on Thursday, today's Take Five is all about the girls. Women are underrepresented this industry and apart from dancing around in bhangra videos there are not that many of them in comparison to the men. Here are five brilliant songs by some talented women.

Lata Mangeshkar - Inhi Logon Ne

Lata Mangeshkar's father died when she was just thirteen years old leaving her as the bread winner in her family. She arrived in Bombay a few years later and has been singing hits ever since. She was once considered the most recorded artist by the Guiness Book of Records until it turned out that her younger sister Asha Bhosle had recorded more songs than her! Inhi Logon Ne is taken from the film Pakeeza and is one of the more light hearted songs from the soundtrack.

Sona Mohapatra - Tere Ishq Nachaya

Thanks to her father's work, Sona Mohapatra lived all over India during her childhood and was influenced by the many places she lived in. Classically trained, she has a unique sound that incorporates different genres of music. She has sung for Bollywood movies such as Delhi Belly and collaborated with Austrailian band INXS. Tere Ishq Nachaya is Sona's take on a classic. Make sure you listen to the Midival Punditz Remix.

Gunjan -Tum Mile

Gunjan started her career by working with Bally Sagoo back in the 90s. One of the songs they worked on together, Dil Cheez, entered the UK charts and was even performed on Top of The Pops. Her vocals were featured on the soundtrack for Bend it Like Beckham and she is currently associated for her work with Bikram Singh and Tigerstyle. Tum Mile is from her solo album Goonj echos from Gunjan and the video is gorgeous. 

Shweta Subram - Mere Saajan Sun Sun

Born in Dubai and brought up in Canada, Shweta Subram has worked with a number of artists including JoSH, had one of her singles produced by Parichay and sung at the last IIFA awards. She has been taught by the legendary Shankar Mahadevan and has had her music used in Indian TV adverts. Mere Saajan Sun Sun is Shweta's latest track. This tuneful collaboration with Shankar Tuckar showcases Shweta's vocals brilliantly.

Magical Anjali - Seven x Eight

Also known as Anjali Bhatia, Magical Anjali played punk rock bands Voodoo Queens and Mambo Taxi before becoming a solo artist. Her music has been used in adverts, films and TV programmes. Sadly she seems to have kept a low profile over the past few years which is a shame as Magical Anjali has an individual sound. Seven x Eight is taken from her last album World of Lady A.