Pragnya Wakhlu
#802, Hamlin Apartments,Plot16, Sector 43,Gurgaon,Haryana
email : [email protected] Mob#971126498
Pragnya Wakhlu
Singer. Song - writer. Musician. Performer
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.reverbnation.com/pragnyawakhlu
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/pragnyawakhlumusic
Twitter: @pragnyawakhlu
Phone Contact: +91-9711246498
Pragnya Wakhlu
#802, Hamlin Apartments,Plot16, Sector 43,Gurgaon,Haryana
email : [email protected] Mob#971126498
Audio Links
Sound Cloud: www.soundcloud.com/pragnya-wakhlu/sets/journey-to-the-sun/
Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/pragnyawakhlu
Video Links
'Rise' Teaser Music Video *Video premiered on Vh1 India Rules & MTV Roots
Balcony TV Delhi Feature
Live Looping at Kasauli 'Rhythm & Blues' Festival
Kashmiri Folk Kashmiri Folk Song
Pragnya's You-Tube Channel
Discography
Debut Album : “Journey Awaken-­‐I Compilation CD
to the Sun” Released:2012 Singles : “Kal Nahin Aata”,”Rise”
Debut Album
"Journey To The Sun" is Pragnya's debut album released in May, 2012. The idea of the
album was to showcase a wide variety of divergent sound. The album is about the ups
and downs in the journey of life; reflections from Pragnya's own journey as she quit her
job as an IT engineer with a company in USA to becoming a full time performing artist.
The album features 'Soul Strings' (In the Rain, Flying High, Free Hugs), Praashekh Borkar
on Sarod (Naive), Sanjay Joseph on guitar (Rise) & Savio Sebastian from I-Rock winning
band 'Silver' (Dreamcatcher, Home To Mama).
Pragnya Wakhlu
#802, Hamlin Apartments,Plot16, Sector 43,Gurgaon,Haryana
email : [email protected] Mob#971126498
Available on:
CDBABY , OKLISTEN , Itunes, Amazon, CDuniverse, Musicfellas & all major music
platforms
Pragnya’s songs have also been featured on two compilation albums
'Best of OKlisten Vol.1’ & ‘Young Guns’ curated by acclaimed entertainment journalist
Bobin James
Awards & Recognition
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Awarded a trophy for her “Contribution to the Independent music scene in India”
by “Free the Music” – a Songdew & Aircel Initiative 2013
Nominated for the prestigious Global Indian Music awards (GIMA) in the ‘Best
Music Debut’ & ‘Best Pop Album’ categories - 2013
Nominated for the ‘Bite my Music’ Global Music awards as the only Indian in the
Best Female Vocalist Category(2011)
Bagged the 3rd place at the Indiego Music Awards (South East Asia 2011) for the
Best Female Vocalist
Two time nominee for ‘Best female Vocalist’ at the Jack Daniel’s Rock Awards
(2010, 2011).
Album Reviews
“This could well be the start of another solid independent songwriter and performer’s
journey. The sound that this lady offers is different, real, mellow and reminds one of the
good old days of Indian pop when it was played with a band. I really wish that more
people follow in her footsteps and take up music as a career” - Suhel Mukherjee,
Whats the Scene
“Conceptually moving through emotional motifs, the light acoustic guitar is a permanent
fixture into one hell of a soothing album.” – The Score Magazine
“Breath of fresh air, and the perfect CD to help you through a bad traffic jam!” –
Abhishek C (Flipkart buyer); Rating *****
“Impressive album, catchy lyrics, soothing and a must buy!” –
Gana (CDbaby buyer); Rating *****
About Pragnya
Pragnya Wakhlu is an award winning singer, songwriter and musician from India. Her
songs are about inner reflection, thoughts, feelings and issues she feels strongly about.
Her solo act is unique as she makes use of live looping & uses her guitar as a percussive
Pragnya Wakhlu
#802, Hamlin Apartments,Plot16, Sector 43,Gurgaon,Haryana
email : [email protected] Mob#971126498
instrument. Known for her powerful vocals, soulful singing style and deep lyrics,
Pragnya has been making waves on the music scene in India and abroad.
Career Highlights
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Began her journey in Seattle, USA & played with several Indian bands after
returning to India.
Studied at Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music (Chennai) & won a scholarship for
The Caux Artists program (Switzerland). She has learned under vocal coaches
Joanna Skillet (Royal academy of music,London) & Sarah Jerrom (Canada),John
Burrows(USA) & Bev Appleton(USA).
Released her solo album “Journey to the Sun” independently with various artists
in 2012.
Music video released on VH1 India Rules & MTV Roots.
Was selected to perform for ‘Divas of Rock’ in association with Rolling Stone
showcasing women artists across India
Nominated for several prestigious awards(details above) for Best Female
Vocalist,Best Genre Bending act, Best Pop album & song.
Performed at most of the country’s premium live music venues including Blue
frog (Delhi & Mumbai), Mehboob Studios (Mumbai), Kyra (Bangalore), High Spirits
(Pune) and others.
Shared the stage with bands such as Shaair+Func, Parikrama & The Raghu Dixit
Project,Advaita & Indian Ocean
Other Performance Formats
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When she is not performing solo, Pragnya performs with her 4 piece funk-rock
band “Fruzu”(New Delhi).
She also performs with her blues & folk-fusion band “Soul Strings” (Pune) as the
singer and rhythm guitarist.
She is part of all girl world trio “White Lilies” with Vietnamese guitarist Thu Le
,Russian table player Asya & Mexican flautist Nathalie Ramirez
Influences
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Her musical style is inspired by artists such as Janis Joplin, Tracy Chapman, KT
Tunstall, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Norah Jones and Led Zeppelin.
Instruments Played
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While Pragnya accompanies her songs with mainly the guitar(live looping) and
harmonica, she makes use of a lot of side percussions (shakers, tambourine,
rattles) to add interesting effects to her songs.
She is known for being a one-woman band and playing all the instruments with
effortless ease.
Gear
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Guitars : Parkwood Electro-acoustic guitar ,Kramer Focus Electric guitar
Processors : Akai Headrush Looper and effects Pedal, Boss VE-2 Vocals Effect
processor
Side Instruments: Tambourine, Shell rattle, Shakers and Harmonica
Pragnya Wakhlu
#802, Hamlin Apartments,Plot16, Sector 43,Gurgaon,Haryana
email : [email protected] Mob#971126498
Other Achievements
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Featured artist on BalconyTV Delhi, a globally popular live music website with
bands from all over the world.
Played at “Divas of Rock” (in association with Rolling Stones and Taj Vivanta) in
Pune featuring women accomplished in the field of rock music in India.
Her video “Rise” is currently the most watched video with over 1 lakh views on
the India music network.
Selected as the top 5 musicians in India to play for the “India Today Mind Rocks”
All India Youth Summit (twice)
She has played for Hema Malini’s “Jaya Smriti” festival
Has released two originals with Underscore Records (Shubha Mudgal’s Label) http://www.underscorerecords.com/artistes/detail/181/Pragnya_Wakhlu
Two of Pragnya’s tracks, “Rise and “Kal nahin Aata” are part of the sound track of
the British movie “Monsoon Theater” which also featured tracks by musical
maestros Aneesh Pradhan, Sudhir Nayak & Tanay Gajjar.
Her songs & interviews were featured on Radio One, Radio Mirchi, Soundcheck,
Planet Radiocity & Radio Maverick
She was the judge for the Delhi leg of Channel V Pop stars in the Nokia India fest
at Amity University Delhi.
Successfully completed a music course from the Swarnabhoomi Academy of
Music (SAM), Chennai.
Performed her originals at Seattle Mainstage Music and Comedy Club at a show
exclusively featuring new women artists and was the headliner for the evening
(2008)
She organised and played at a Red Cross Benefit Concert in Seattle along with
other artists such as Val 'D Alessio and Brad Warren
Press
“At the Kunj, 24 year old musician Pragnya Wakhlu showed raw talent, playing a mix of
Hindi and English originals. Her songs revolve around the theme of aspiration and
dreams.” Apphia K, Pune Mirror, Feb 08.
“Pragnya Wakhlu is among the few female lead singers in the city. Her idea of good
music is combining simple lyrics and easy music. Soul Strings, a band which was formed
a year ago, features Pragnya Wakhlu as its lead singer and has come a long way in a
short span of time. Along the way, she has carved a niche for herself as it's rare you see
a female lead in most bands.” Priyanka N ,DNA June 27th.
“‘Divas of Rock’ turned out to be a night full of music and fun as Naina Kundu of Naina
Kundu trio, Monika Dogra of Shaii’r + Funk and city girl Pragnya Wakhlu of Soul Strings
performed for a jampacked audience. The event was organised by Vivanta by Taj in
association with Rolling Stones and Sony Music Independent ...Pragnya alongside
Gandhar Amin presented all her compositions from her upcoming album Journey to the
Sun.” Sakal Times, Nov 29 2011.
“Lead singer of the band Soul Strings, Pragnya Wakhlu, who left a lucrative career in IT
to follow her heart for music says, “I think Pune has a young crowd and after Bangaluru
and Mumbai, it is a top city for these international bands to perform.”” Priyanka
Pragnya Wakhlu
#802, Hamlin Apartments,Plot16, Sector 43,Gurgaon,Haryana
email : [email protected] Mob#971126498
Naithani , DNA Nov 28th.
“..Pragnya, who now has become an inspiration for many aspiring female leads says, "I
feel unless you try something, you can't come to a conclusion whether you can do it or
not. There is always a kind of rejection in the beginning; all you need to do is to have
patience and belief in yourself. Somebody had to break the ice and I am happy that I did
it...”” Priyanka Naithani , Pune Times June 27th.
Magazine Features
“Breaking Stereotypes” – The N ew Woman Magazine, M ay 2012
“Soul M usician” -­‐ Femina, P une A ug 2011
“The Girl w ho R ocks” – The P erfect W oman Magazine, M ay 2012
“Jack D aniels R ock A wards N ominees”,The Rolling Stone M agazine 2012
Pragnya Wakhlu
#802, Hamlin Apartments,Plot16, Sector 43,Gurgaon,Haryana
email : [email protected] Mob#971126498
Performances
Delhi-NCR (India)
Wills India Fashion Week ,Blue Frog, T.L.R, Boheme, Striker Pub and Brewery, Cocktails &
Dreams, Raasta, The Lalit, Oberoi, The Mind Café, Zorba ,The [V] Spot Café
Bar,MediumWelldone
Pune (India)
Arc Asia,High Spirits,Jazz By the Bay, Dolally,Curve,11 East & Street Café,Swig, Café
1730, Turque, Hard Rock Café, Amanora Township, Ishanya Ampitheater ,Taj Vivanta
and others..
Mumbai (India)
Blue Frog, Live from the Console (Mehboob Studios), Not Just Jazz by the Bay
Bangalore(India)
Opus, Kyra, Legends of Rock, Catholic Club, Pebbles, Jayamahal Palace
Other Cities(India)
Books n Brew Café (Chandigarh), Art Escape (Goa),Baikunth Resorts (Kausali), Te Aroha
(Dhanachuli), Gateway Hotel - FORUM Club (Surat),Coco’s (Hyderabad)
International Venues (USA)
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Mainstage Music and Comedy Club (Seattle)
Goodfoot Lounge (Portland)
Initiatives of Change (Switzerland)
Music Festivals
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Baaja Gaaja – Feb 2010
Kala Ghoda Festival - 2011
Kasauli Rhythm & Blues Festival – April 2012
Manali Summer Sundowners – June 2012
Armageddon –The Acoustic Marathon -July 2012
Aqua Jam Festival (Naukuchiyatal) - 2012
The Great Indian October fest – October 2012
Jaya Smriti (Hema Malini Mother Tribute) – Nov 2012
Ragasthan Festival (Kanoi Sand Dunes,Jaiselmer)– November 2012
Celeste Music Festival(Mussourie) – Oct 2013
Tvisha –Diwali Festival(Delhi) – Nov 2013
Storm Festival Bangalore- 2014
Pragnya Wakhlu
#802, Hamlin Apartments,Plot16, Sector 43,Gurgaon,Haryana
email : [email protected] Mob#971126498
~Thank You~