In our latest interview, we had a hearwhelming conversation with Yojna Shukla, the viral musician whose remarkable journey has inspired countless people, especially women. Yojna was thrust into the limelight by the video, which garnered more than one million views on Instagram and elicited a diverse array of responses from internet users. Covered by NDTV as “Aunty Cooked: Woman’s Classic Surf Rock Tune On Guitar Leaves Internet Amused” and celebrated as Lallantop’s Pick of the Day, her mastery of classic surf rock on guitar has left the internet both amused and captivated.
A year ago, Yojna ventured onto Instagram to share her music and gauge the public’s reaction. Her soulful performances quickly gained traction, catapulting her follower count from 520 to an astounding 32.3K in just five months! This viral success has brought her invitations from the music industry and offers as an instructor. Her YouTube channel also features her melodious renditions, such as the five-star-rated song “Suna Suna Lamha Lamha” from Krishna Cottage. Social media has not only expanded her audience but also facilitated her communication with followers on a global scale.
In an engaging conversation with Global Women Power, Yojna shared her journey of mastering the guitar and keyboard and using music as a tool for empowerment and charity too.
Her goal? Name, fame, money, or satisfaction?
As she put it,
“Paisa kamana bhi tha na; khud ke pairo par khade hona tha, aur mujhe kisi ke paas paise mangna acha nahi lagta—pehle se hi”
which translates to
“I wanted to earn money too; I had to stand on my own feet, and I never liked asking anyone for money—I have been this way since the beginning.”
Yojna Shukla, a musician and educator from Nashik, Maharashtra, has been motivating individuals with her fervour for music for more than three decades. A dedicated mentor, she has inspired innumerable individuals with her music and teaching, in addition to being an accomplished artist who is a master of the guitar and keyboard. She discovered her love for music early on in her life and and decided to pursue it as a career as a guitarist. Over the years, she has honed her skills and started teaching others too and now with her new found fame she shates her passion with students from all over the world.
When asked why she chose the guitar above all other instruments, Yojna shared:
“The guitar is more than just an instrument to me—it is liberation.” She realised at a young age that music had the ability to rejuvenate the mind, hone the spirit, and calm the psyche. The guitar, with its rhythm and adaptability, became her “one-man show”.
She is a specialist in staff notation, combining traditional methods with contemporary approaches to accommodate students from all over the globe. She instructs in a total of 17 languages, including Hindi, English, Punjabi, Marathi, Bengali, Spanish, and Nepali. Her youngest student is eight years old, while her oldest is an 86-year-old keyboard enthusiast who is an inspiration.
She has students from various nationalities as many people who visit the famous yoga institute in Nasik often enrol in her classes. Now, as she has started posting her videos on instagram, she has students from all over the world have been attracted to her classes, both online and offline.
What makes her stand out is her boldness in challenging stereotypes—a woman playing the guitar and confidently sharing her talent with the public. Not only she inspires women with her confidence but is also a vociferous proponent of women’s empowerment, providing them with the support and motivation to pursue their aspirations without hesitation. A significant number of these students are females who may have been hesitant to enter such environments in the past. She persists in her advocacy for change and challenges as has observed families discourage women from pursuing their inclinations.
Her aim?
To show the world that women must have the “AUTONOMY TO PURSUE THEIR ASPIRATIONS AND CULTIVATE THEIR ABILITIES”.
Although she places a high value on financial independence, her genuine motivation is her love for music.She recognises the significance of earning money, as it grants her autonomy and enables her to persist in her passions without seeking assistance. She does not aim merely to achieve acclaim or recognition; but aims to establish a life in which her passion is in harmony with her purpose. Yojna is currently concentrating on spreading her expertise with others and expanding her course offerings. Although after her reel went viral, she has received multiple offers from the industry, she aims to focus on her classes and teaching others. Yojna considers music to be the heart of existence, a source of joy and relief.
Music is also a form of charity for Yojna as she aims to organise events to generate funds for causes that are particularly meaningful to her, including the provision of medical assistance to the underprivileged, animal shelters, orphanages, and old-age homes.
What we noticed in her and what makes her stand out is her simplicity and authenticity, as she evolves from performing songs such as “Yeh Mera Dil Pyar Ka Deewana” to composing original compositions. Her tremendous talent, together with her friendly demeanour, continues to motivate individuals of all ages and backgrounds to embrace the transformative power of music.
She is an inspiration to her students who wait for her classees and at the same time she brings joy to the audience motivating every individual to grow personally and professionally by following their passions.
As I write this blog, Yojna’s words echo in my mind, “aur mujhe kisi ke paas paise mangna acha nahi lagta—pehle se hi”- these words are reminder of the core message that we at Global Women Power aim to instill in every woman: “the significance of financial independence, self-reliance, and the strength of standing on one’s own feet”
Her journey beautifully reflects the principles we hold dear—supporting women in taking control of their lives, and finding their own paths and living with a sense of purpose.
Through her story, we spread to the women of the world the powerful message that inner purpose and the desire to be financially independent, when combined, can create transformative change.
