Pragaash
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | December 2012 |
| Headquarters | Jammu and Kashmir , India |
| Products | Rock music |
Pragaash (, prāgāsh — meaning «moonshine») was a pioneering Indian all-female band rock ensemble originating from Jammu and Kashmir. The group comprised three Kashmiri Muslim women: Noma Nazir Bhatt, Aneeqa Khalid, and Farah Deeba. Established in December 2012, the band encountered significant opposition from Islamic scholars who asserted that their activities breached Islamic principles. This backlash included severe threats such as death and sexual violence, as well as a fatwa issued by the Grand Mufti of Kashmir, which ultimately forced the group to disband.
History
Pragaash made their initial public appearance on 10 December 2012 during a Battle of Bands event held in Srinagar, where they earned the accolade for "Best Performance."
Death threats
After securing their award, the members were targeted with numerous death and rape threats communicated through telephone calls and social media platforms. The Grand Mufti publicly denounced their actions as "indecent behaviour" and released a fatwa condemning music as detrimental to society. Law enforcement responded by filing a First Information Report against those responsible for online harassment, resulting in three individuals being detained on charges of "promoting enmity" and "criminal intimidation."
Although the group initially received widespread support from international audiences and endorsement from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah—who pledged protection via Twitter before later removing his statements—the escalating hostility compelled the band to discontinue their performances.
Band members
- Noma Nazir Bhatt – Vocals and guitar
- Farah Deeba – Drums
- Aneeqa Khalid – Bass guitar
Popular culture
The band's story is portrayed in an authorized docu-drama titled PRAGAASH (The Song of Silence), produced by Marijuana Films and directed by Janmejay Singh. This film features interviews with Noma, event judges, Adnan, and leading figures from Jammu and Kashmir's music scene. Additionally, Pragaash is alluded to as the "First Ray of Light" within Marlon James' Man Booker Prize-winning novel A Brief History of Seven Killings.