Indian Angela Gossow : Pratika Prabhune

It was one morning when I woke up and was still in the bed, trolling some internet news over the phone. It was then; when an article about Pratika Prabhune in the Indian Express caught my eyes. For those who do not know her (unluckily) let me introduce you to the bassist turned vocalist of Chronic Phobia, a well known experimental Metal band of India. She is one among the Indian female metal vocalists which can be counted on fingers. If girls out in the world take Angela Gossow as there growl icon, I must say Indian girls should look upto Pratika Prabhune.

She started off in 2007, playing bass at the age of 13. An ardent metal fan who was inspired by her brother. She always listened to everything and kept her ears open to all sorts of music. Drawing her inspiration from bands like Metallica, Arch Enemy, Slipknot, Korn, Deftones, Porcupine Tree,Osiris, Fair to Midland, MESHUGGAH and lots of other stuff.

The first time she played was at a college competition, a metallica song and an original that was bass. Later as the fate called she was asked by her brother to fill in for Bass and later as the vocalist left the band she was the woman to growl her throat out on stage at B69 for the first time and then had some good gigs, like the one at Blue Frog. Talking about the Independence Rock gig she states, "It was amazing, one of the best live experiences I've had. Sahil has always been supportive of us and me and great respect and love goes out to him.."

Also the co-founder of Metalsphere along with brother Pritesh Prabhune who is a stage tech and sound engineer,they look forward to helping and doing gigs related to stage tech, hospitality, live sound and tour management.

An 18 year girl who chose to be a Metalhead  when other girls of the age hardly think of looking outta their Math book. Taking great inspiration for vocals from Angela Gossow and a lot of other female vocalists like Krysta Cameron, Alissa White-Gluzz she has given herself to the Metal race never to look back again.

Personally, I cannot forget to mention my favourite part of her. "The Tattoos" that she caries on her neck and back. The one on her neck comes particularly from when her piano teacher was teaching her to write music and the first thing she ever learned properly was a bass and a treble clef. So they're combined in this tattoo. And the one at the back that's inspired by her beliefs on norse gods of scandinivia. All the elements in the circle are runes that are a collection of letters signifying all the important elements that control our life, and its the achievement of the perfect balance that drives her with the three triangle-looking figures in the middle that are called a Valknut.

And Finally Pratika's words to those who look down at women to be Headbanger and growl onstage, "You're a woman, you're awesome and you can do anything you want and wish to do. Don't be let down, don't listen to anyone who wants to pull you down, because you're not among the crabs in the basket, you're the one chilling on the beach!"

Proud to be a GIRL

It was this Sunday when I was passing by this government hospital in our town. It's something that stands right there seeing thousands of people just pass by, even me almost everyday. But then as I said this Sunday there was a reason. An urge that made me just roll in my vehicle in the M.Y hospital campus. And I was there walking up to the very first floor making my way to this Gynecology ward.

Well it all starts with my clock showing 6:30 a.m. Omg!! I was supposed to be at this event that was organized by AIESEC..."Saluting Her Existence Marathon". A really amazing way to show concern towards Female Foeticide. It was an initiative of it's own kind. But then as I should have been there at sharp 6.00 a.m knowing I am late (or may be too reluctant to give a try to go) I just looked around and out of laziness bagged in my bed again. But then  possibly it came from here; that I was standing there out of the Post Natal Ward. Sighhh!!!

To avoid issues I prefered seeking permission first from the office at the same floor. Their least concern already gave me a view of what e'm gonna see forward is an acute example of disorder. They had no issues with me moving around and questioning people or observing stuff. Wondering if this is a part of my studies or why i just wanted to do this. But I had already made my mind to do this. There is this exploring gene (or some crazy nerve what they say) that made me do this and a part of me was still questioning me, Why??

No, point reasoning now as I made my way inside the room with 50 beds, stinking worse then shit. Where I had to make my way among all those women with their kids on the floor. To my surprise few of them born just 24 hours back . I swear it was pathetic to think were media is ready to pay crores to get one snap of the silver-spoon Bacchan baby there were these kids born with the fate of starving belly. I made my walk through Pantry to O.T. For doctors it was the same job as it is for some rag-pickers. They ought to work all day for their wages involving little emotions. They made those already miserably week ladies stand in queue for report checking if they came to visit a grocery shop.

But out of all this situations I caught my sight to  this lady Asha, brought out of the Operation Theater being shifted to the ward. As i followed her, i could hear her in-laws cursing her for the girl she just gave birth to. But despite all this she had a smile. A glance of her baby she had, seemed to penetrate her soul deeply. For her she was entire world, probably more valuable than hundred sons. They left her all alone to get food for her 2 years old boy crying for milk. I took the chance and walked up to her sat on the bed and holded her hands. Had a brief talk about her family, life and the journey of this nine months. She really opened her heart to me. It was then she had tears in her eyes and this what was she said in Hindi, "She grew in my heart not tummy, I feel i am born again with her birth. It is the best feeling to hold my girl".

I prayed for the baby and I had tears in my eyes too not knowing what the fate would bring to her daughter or to lakhs of such girls born everyday. I was recalling what Bible says in Psalm 139. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Driving back, I felt extremely proud on My existence. Yes!! I Was, I Am and I will be Super Proud to be a GIRL.