Asha’s granddaughter to lend voice to transgender band

The band formed last year claims to be the country’s first transgender band, and had two back-to-back releases this January with its first music video “clocking over a million views in just 24 hours.” 

It is now gearing up for a release of their next single a Hindi-Marathi-English mash up of a popular song Hil Pori Hila created sans any musical instrument and utilising a special format called Stomp. 

“Up next is a fun song that is unique as we have used using tools including plates, cups, saucers, trash cans, spoons, bottles, straws, pipes to name a few. 

Additionally, it is a collaboration with the legend Asha Bhosle’s granddaughter Zanai Bhosle who is just 14-year-old,” says Komal Jagtap, one of the band members. The six-member band has been put together by Y-Films and Shameer Tandon. 

The members aged between 21 years to 35 years have diverse tastes and have either left their jobs or have been ousted out of their homes because of their sexual orientation. The band comprises of Sara (Fida) who worked with the Humsafar Trust and fronted the song Sab Rab De Bande with singer Sonu Nigam. 

Jagtap, who comes from a well to do family says was thrown out of her house after which she had to take to the streets to earn a living. The band aims to make a mark for itself by proving to the world that everybody is the same irrespective of their gender. 

“We hope that we are able to show the world that we are also the same as everyone even if we belong to the transgender community. Also we should be accepted for what and who we are. 

The initiative will also show other members from our community that we can showcase our talents given the right platform and make a living in a dignified, respected manner,” says Fida Khan, another band member. 

The ‘guru’ of the band, Raveena Jagtap, despite not being the oldest leads the pack when visiting houses for ceremonies, weddings, etc. to raise money for them. Other members include Asha, who can belly dance, Bhavika and Chandni, the eldest in the group.