Brilliant, Loud and Exceptional: Rolling Stone India’s Women in Creativity Gathering Brought Together the Best in Arts and Business

This was probably one of the smartest, most brilliant rooms you would have ever been in. On a sunny summer afternoon, some of India’s most inspiring artists, creators, thought leaders, business minds, disruptors and enablers met over brunch at Mumbai’s Creatorland, which houses Rolling Stone India offices. Co-incidentally all of them also happened to be women! 

While there shouldn’t be a reason for a gathering of this kind – we absolutely need more such inspirational rooms – the occasion was the launch of Rolling Stone India’s first-ever Power List of 25 women from music, fashion, cinema, content and entrepreneurship who have made extraordinary contributions to these fields. 

The atmosphere was one of achievement and triumph. Striking photo ops, masterful gin and beer cocktails and a dazzling brunch spread helped set the tone and theme for the day. The sense of collective pride in the room was palpable as everyone formed each other’s hype squad, pumping each other up for their recent projects and upcoming gigs.

“It was amazing to witness female powerhouses of talent, all under one roof,” said Mumbai musician Vasuda Sharma who has seen the tides turn in the industry since she debuted on the scene over a decade ago. “The event had an amazing vibe and it was so lovely catching up with artists I truly admire and also getting acquainted with new and promising talent. We need more events like these.” 

The Women In Creativity special cover featuring (from left) Malini Agarwal, Mithila Palkar and Asees Kaur.
Photo: The Moneta

Breakout singer-songwriter Nisa Shetty, who has been flitting between film playback and her own music, felt the gathering served as a catalyst to future collaborations. “ I feel we all connected somehow, and we kind of bounced off each other. I think it’s so important to have these kinds of events where all these creators meet and sort of share their ideas, even what they’re doing at that point. It just motivates you and it kind of inspires you for your next project.” She adds, “I hope more of these events happen, I think they’re like little hubs of energy that we need for charging our souls and going back out into the world.” 

The event comes at a time when women continue to be underrepresented at large, and the Power List aims to foster a sense of community. One of the most eclectic honors to have debuted in the industry, the list also serves as a visible sign of change. For far too long, the word power has come to denote a certain kind of influence, which may or may not be inspirational, or a catalyst or fuel. The Women In Creativity Power List reclaims the sheer power of excellence. The power that lies in authentic art, vision, purpose and accomplishments. The power that cannot be measured by any one standard. 

Now while this list is exclusive and extraordinary, it is by no means exhaustive, definitive or conclusive. This is the first of the many chronicles that Rolling Stone India plans to launch with a very clear aim: to record the creative movement that we are witnessing in India today. The Power List 2023 Honorees are Asees Kaur, Mithila Palkar, Malini Agarwal, Guneet Monga, Kausar Munir, Sushant Divgikr/Rani KoHEnur, Pooja Jauhari, Arati Kadav, Sujata and Taniya Biswas, Sumukhi Suresh, Dolly Rateshwar, Kamiya Jani, Sejal Kumar, Mehek Malhotra, Lisa Mishra, Nagma Mirajkar, Harshdeep Kaur, Raja Kumari, Leeza Mangaldas, Kartiki Gonsalves, Masaba Gupta, Falguni Peacock, Prajakta Koli, Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju and Niharika NM.

Compiling this list was no easy task. Our power-packed jury comprised the acclaimed artist and curator Brinda Miller, the marketing maverick Jasleen Kaur and Executive Editor Nirmika Singh, along with Team Rolling Stone India.

Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Kamakshi Khanna performing at the Women in Creativity event.
Photo: The Moneta

The gathering, hosted by entrepreneur Karishma Govil, also featured the unveiling of the Women In Creativity special cover featuring Asees Kaur, Malini Agarwal and Mithila Palkar. The performances that followed were one to remember. Musicians Tanmaya Bhatnagar, Kamakshi Khanna, Aarya QK and Simran Chaudhary brought the house down! Here’s to more!