India ranks 140th out of 156 in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Equality Index 2021. Singer Sona Mohapatra has criticized the country and its music industry for unequal conditions, that women are not given as much space and paid as much as men.
The documentary Keep quiet Sona!
follows her for three years and is made by director Deepi Gupta.
Criticized the festival in a well-received letter
An example of Sona's stance from her career was when she wrote an acclaimed open letter to a festival which, according to her, required her husband, producer and musician Ram Sampath, to also play there in order for her to participate.
- They just get naughtier!
“Lower the gag, and bring Ram.
Without Ram, you have no place on stage. ”
she says in the documentary Keep quiet Sona!
- If you have not had a female lead in 30 years, it is time for a change.
SVT is looking for the festival, and according to information in the Indian media, the festival organizers have denied that there was a requirement that a man should be on stage at the same time.
"It is as important as breathing"
Sona Mohapatra has debated with religious leaders who said she wore "obscene clothing" in a music video that could cause "upset feelings and disorder in the country".
She has received hatred and death threats for her criticism of inequality in the country and her role in the country's Metoo movement.
- Ram says that I sound like an activist: “Do not forget that you are an artist too.
It is clear that your work is affected by this. ”
It is as important as breathing!
How should anyone be able to understand it?
says Sona Mohapatra.
Want to know more about Sona Mohapatra? See Keep quiet Sona! Friday 19 November 20.00 on SVT2 or already now on SVT Play.