Salon.com > rock and r http://www.salon.com Wed, 22 May 2013 15:35:37 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 After threats and intimidation, Kashmir’s first all-girl band calls it quits http://www.salon.com/2013/02/05/after_threats_and_intimidation_kashmirs_first_all_girl_band_calls_it_quits/ http://www.salon.com/2013/02/05/after_threats_and_intimidation_kashmirs_first_all_girl_band_calls_it_quits/#comments Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:32:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13191427 An all-girl rock band in Indian-controlled Kashmir is breaking up after just one show. Not because of clashing egos or the allure of going solo, per usual rock tradition. Instead, the pressure became too much after violent threats received on social media and a fatwa from a top Muslim cleric have turned the band's three teenage members into unwitting political tools in the region's ongoing political and religious struggle.

In a recent interview, the teenagers insisted that they didn't want to be viewed as fodder for a media narrative about “Muslim girls who break down conservative barriers." Really, they just want to play music, they said.

Citing influences like Metallica, Cradle of Filth and Green Day, Pragassh ("fist light" in Kashmiri) first came to national attention after placing third in Srinagar’s battle of the bands. “It was awesome and overwhelming. We were getting all this attention and a standing ovation. Then we got other offers to play,” said Aneeqa Khalid, Pragassh's 15-year-old bass player.

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