Mumbai: Bay Owl Studios proudly collaborated as the Studio Partner for KOLAB – HER Music Camp 2025, an initiative led by Sony Music Publishing India and the Indian Performing Right Society Ltd (IPRS). Hosted from March 5th to 7th, 2025, the camp provided a dynamic space for female songwriters, composers, and producers to innovate, collaborate, and create music centered around themes of friendship, self-expression, and love.
Despite progress in creative and leadership roles across industries, gender disparity in the music sector remains a pressing issue. According to the Billboard Hot 100 Year-End Report (2024), only 18.9% of songwriters and 5.9% of producers featured on major charts were women.
Recognizing this gap, IPRS and Sony Music Publishing launched KOLAB – HER Music Camp 2025 as a Women’s Day initiative aimed at empowering and amplifying female music creators. Hosted at Bay Owl Studios, the camp played a pivotal role in fostering inclusivity and expanding the presence of women in India’s music industry.
Rakesh Nigam, CEO of IPRS, said, “Women across industries have shown immense talent when given the right platform. In music, we are still addressing underrepresentation in key creative roles. KOLAB – HER Music Camp is a step toward changing that narrative, empowering women to lead, innovate, and collaborate.”
The camp brought together a diverse lineup of renowned female artists and songwriters, including:
- Priya Saraiya – Bollywood playback singer and lyricist
- Shashaa Tirupati – Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer
- Bawari Basanti – Folk and classical singer exploring themes of identity and dreams
- Irfana Hameed – Hip-hop artist blending poetry with Carnatic influences
- Chhavi Sodhani, Neha Karode, Anubha Bajaj, Shayra Apoorva, Chitralekha Sen, and Arushi Kaushal
These artists engaged in immersive co-writing and production sessions, blending genres like modern Hindi/Punjabi pop, K-pop, rock, R&B, and ballads, resulting in a collection of original compositions that celebrate cultural diversity and artistic expression.
Dinraj Shetty, MD of Sony Music Publishing, shared, “This song camp coincides with a special day—International Women’s Day. It’s a celebration of women’s voices and creativity where music meets empowerment.”
Varun Parikh, Founder & Facility Director, Bay Owl Studios, said, “We are incredibly proud to partner with IPRS and Sony Music Publishing India for KOLAB – HER Music Camp. At Bay Owl Studios, we believe in creating spaces where artists can thrive, innovate, and push the boundaries of musical expression. Events like these are crucial in empowering women in music and fostering a more inclusive industry.”
Beyond music creation, KOLAB – HER Music Camp 2025 served as a launchpad for networking and long-term collaboration opportunities, allowing female creators to connect, innovate, and break industry stereotypes.
Siddharth Sharma, A&R Lead at Sony Music Publishing India, added, “The music industry is evolving, and at Sony Music Publishing India, we are committed to supporting songwriters and producers through global collaborations and a songwriter-first approach.”
With a growing need to amplify diverse voices, KOLAB – HER Music Camp 2025 marks a significant step in improving gender representation in India’s music industry while celebrating the power of female talent in all aspects of music creation.
