Banat is a Punjabi folk singer who is on a mission to bridge cultures through her music. Following her recent streak of performances in the UK and the rest of Europe, Mumbai-based Banat kicks off her New Zealand tour on July 13, 2023, with shows lined up in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

Having garnered a growing international following through her captivating folk music, Banat is bringing her enchanting melodies to the shores of New Zealand, where audiences can expect an immersive experience as Banat takes them on a musical journey steeped in Punjabi folk traditions.

Born Banat Bagga, the Mumbai-based artist’s passion for music started at a young age. Learning the harmonium and performing ‘kirtan’ from the age of five laid the foundation for her musical career. 

“I was five years old when my grandmother would push me to perform kirtan at our local gurudwara. At the time, it wasn’t something I loved doing. But then in the seventh grade, I discovered ‘Metallica’ and that’s when I decided to start learning the guitar and piano after that.”

Banat says her early exposure to performing got her comfortable being on stage, and the wide range of music she was playing and listening to helped define a unique sound for herself. 

Banat studied law in Mumbai and finished her Master’s too but decided not to practise. She decided to take up music as a full-time profession in the final year of law school.

“I think being there really helped me rediscover my passion for it. I was playing at many college festivals, frequenting open mics and writing a lot!” 

In 2017, Banat released her first original song to an overwhelmingly positive response and there was no going back from there. 

Banat’s journey since then has taken her across borders, sharing Punjabi folk music with audiences worldwide. 

Banat started an early childhood music education institute called ‘The Acoustic Classroom’, and she recently opened an arts and culture space called ‘3 Art House’ with her mom and sister. 

“I love both Punjabi music and contemporary English,” Banat says. “In fact, fusing the two is very much a part of my sound. I perform with a guitar or piano, and I often collaborate with instrumentalists who play Western instruments like the violin or saxophone. 

“My sound is a reflection of who I am as a person: a Punjabi girl who loves music and who is open to new experiences.”

Banat’s eyes light up as she talks about being named one of the top 10 budding female artists to watch out for by Rolling Stone India. 

“The recognition definitely feels amazing. Especially receiving it in the very beginning of my career helped a lot with validating my point of view as an artist.”

Reflecting on her recent tour to Europe, Banat says, “I think my first international tour in the UK was a great milestone. The audience really enjoyed my original music as well as Punjabi folk! I felt like I could stand out from the crowd, which really cemented my belief in my sound and vision as an artist.”

When asked about introducing Punjabi folk music to first-time listeners, Banat emphasises the power of folk music in bridging gaps between languages and cultures. 

She believes the simplicity and communal nature of folk music makes it accessible to everyone. Banat’s performances create a sense of unity, fostering a connection between diverse communities.

Beyond her musical pursuits, Banat is passionate about animal welfare and actively involved in rescue and feeding work. “I have pet cats and love spending time at home with them.” 

Banat’s debut single ‘Daachi Waaleya’ is set to release soon.  As Banat prepares for her New Zealand tour, she acknowledges the country's vibrant and multicultural music scene. 

“I think there is a vibrant, up-and-coming local music scene here, and I'm surprised at how multicultural it is! I’ve had the chance to talk to some very cool, open-minded musicians and organisers and I look forward to seeing how the audience responds to my music!”

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