Anuradha Pal

Anuradha Pal is an Indian tabla player and composer who performs Indian classical music. She is the founder of Stree Shakti, an all-female classical music ensemble established in 1996.

Early life Pal trained on the tabla under Ustad Alla Rakha and Ustad Zakir Hussain, both of whom were associated with the Punjab Gharana playing technique.

Career Pal began accompanying Hindustani and Carnatic classical vocalists, instrumentalists, and dancers at age 13. By age 15, she was performing alongside her teachers.

In 2018, she led a large tabla ensemble in a tribute to her former teacher, Ustad Alla Rakha. That year, she received the First Ladies Award by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

She has given workshops and lecture-demonstrations at institutions including Harvard University, Berklee College of Music, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Vienna Boys' Choir, Palazzo Ducale (Italy), Milap Fest (U.K.), and Monash University (Australia). In 2006, she served as an artist-in-residence at the New England Conservatory of Music.

She represented India at the Asian Performers Summit in Japan in 1999 and has performed at SAARC and CHOGM summits. She organized the Aatmanirbhar Kala Ke Sangh Music Festival in January 2021, and performed at the Dior Fall 2023 show at the Gateway of India in Mumbai.

Compositions and collaborations Pal founded Stree Shakti on International Women's Day in 1996 as an all-female Hindustani–Carnatic instrumental ensemble. The group has collaborated with female musicians and performed at international music festivals. In 2002, they toured the UK and Ireland with the Pan-African Orchestra from Ghana.

In 2023 and 2024, Pal presented narrative tabla concert formats, including “Anuradha’s Tablas Sing Stories”. She also performed “Ramayana on Tabla Sings Stories”.

Social work Contribution to female empowerment Since 1996, Pal has promoted and supported female musicians through her band, Stree Shakti. Rebel Girls Interactive (Delhi), and Ruia College (Mumbai).

In March 2018, she wrote the lyrics to “Khud Ko Tu Pehchaan De” and composed the anthem for the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s Nari Shakti campaign.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pal organized relief initiatives and fundraising performances in support of communities and artists. She has cited activity across several locations in India.

On the International Day of the Girl Child in 2020, Pal established the Padmashri M. T. Vyas Stree Shakti Award to encourage young girls pursuing Indian music or dance to engage in social service.

Anuradha Pal Cultural Foundation (APCF) The Anuradha Pal Cultural Foundation (APCF) is a non-profit organization focused on music education and cultural programs; Pal also advocates musical and rhythmic meditation.

Media recognition Pal has been mentioned in books and media highlighting women achievers and musicians, including the children’s book The Dot That Went for a Walk (2019), Torchbearers of Indian Classical Music (2017), Women of Pure Wonder (2016), and the PBS film Adventure Divas (2001).

Personal life Pal is based in Mumbai, where she conducts percussion classes through the Anuradha Pal Cultural Academy (APCA Mumbai), located in Juhu.

Discography Anuradha Pal has released music albums and instructional DVDs through her independent label, Sur aaur Saaz, encompassing classical, fusion, and educational works.

+Albums Title Release year Details Sheer Magic (Live) 2000 Live collaboration with Shahid Parvez Passion – Anuradha Pal's Stree Shakti 2000 Performances by Stree Shakti Nirvana: Spiritual Bliss 2003 A Tabla Solo by Anuradha Pal 2005 Solo tabla performance album Kesaria – Romancing Rajasthan 2006 With Samanda Manganiar Get Recharged!!! 2013 Mix of Indian and jazz music Recharge Plus 2014 Sensational (Live) 2016 Second live collaboration with Shahid ParvezTaaleem 2022 Tabla solos +Singles (selection) Title Release year Details Anuradha Pal's Stree Shakti Anthem (For Female Empowerment) 2019 Taal Tiranga 2022 Tabla Tonic 2023