India is a country known for its culture and arts. When it comes to Music, the number of instruments and genres that characterize our country is unimaginable. There are a lot of the greatest musicians in India. Over the years, Indian musicians have managed to attract the attention of the West with their talents. Not only loyal to their art, but they also dare to collaborate with foreign genes. There are many Punjabi singers or Tamil female singers who entertain us. In this article, we have prepared some of the greatest musicians in India that everyone should know.
Table of Contents
List of Popular Musicians of India
Have a glance at the undermentioned section and check out these 17 famous musicians of India. Let’s started…
- A.R.Rahman
- R.D. Burman
- Bismillah Khan
- Pandit Shivkumar Sharma
- Amjad Ali Khan
- Pandit Ravi Shankar
- Hariprasad Chaurasia
- Pandit Ram Narayan
- Annapurna Devi
- Lata Mangeshkar
- Brij Bhushan Kabra
- T.H. Vinayakram
- Begum Akhtar
- M.S. Subbulakshmi
- Jagjit Singh
- MS Gopalakrishnan
- O.P.Nayyar
#1. A.R.Rahman
D.O.B: 6th January 1967
Spouse(s): Saira Banu (M: 1995)
Awards:
- Six National Film Award
- Six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
- Fifteen Filmfare Awards Sixteen Filmfare Awards South
- Padma Bhushan
- Two Academy Awards
- Two Grammy Awards
- Golden Globe Award
As one of the most talented and best musician in India, A.R.Rahman is an Indian singer, record producer, songwriter, and film composer. He mainly works in Hindi films and Tamil films. He has created and produced hundreds of iconic songs spanning almost every genre we are all familiar with. That is why he is one of the most famous Indian musicians.
Popular Musics of A.R.Rahman :
- Param Sundari
- Mehndi Hai Rachnewali
- Jessie’s Land
- Maa Tujhe Salaam
- Chakka Chakkalathi
#2. R.D. Burman
D.O.B: 27th June 1939
Died: 4th January 1994
Spouse(s): Asha Bhosle (M: 1980), Rita Patel (M: 1966; Div: 1971)
Awards:
- Filmfare Awards
R.D. Burman is one of the most famous musicians in India. His distinct style of creating music using several instruments was quite unique. He was mainly known as the King of Bollywood and a Music Scientist in the Bollywood industry. He created some of the famous Bollywood songs like Kuch Na Kaho, Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko, and many more.
Popular Music of R.D. Burman:
- Kya Hua Tera Wada
- Yamma Yamma
- Gol Maal
- Jab Hum Jawan Honge
- Yeh Kya Hua
- Pyar Hamen Kis Mod Pe
- Bachke Rehna Re Baba
#3. Bismillah Khan
D.O.B: 21st March 1916
Died: 21st August 2006
Awards:
- Bharat Ratna
- Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram
- Padma Vibhushan
- Padma Bhushan
- Padma Shri
- Tansen Award
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Bismillah Khan’s full name is Qamaruddin Bismillah Khan. He is the best musicians in India. He played the Shehnai with such expressive skill that he became one of the leading performers of Indian classical music. Bismillah Khan was selected for the ceremony at the Red Fort when the Indian flag was hoisted on 15 August 1947 at the time of India’s independence, his music was broadcast on television every independence day. The country celebrated a National Day of Mourning following his death in 2006.
Popular Music of Bismillah Khan:
- Kalavati
- Kanyadaan
- Tilak Kamod
- Jhunpuri
- Vaishnava Janato
#4. Pandit Shivkumar Sharma
D.O.B: 13th January 1938
Died: 10th May 2022
Spouse(s): Manorama Sharma
Awards:
- National and International Awards
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards
- Padma Shri
- Padma Vibhushan
Pandit Shivkumar Sharma was a Santoor player and Indian classical musician who is credited with adapting the santoor for Indian Classical music. His father introduced him to Santoor who was famous for Sufi music in the Kashmir region but foreign to Hindu traditions. In 1955 he gave his first major Hindu musical performance at the Santoor. He was one of the best musicians in India.
Popular Musics of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma:
- Mere Haathon Mein
- Spirit of Kashmir
- Walking in the Rain
- Raga Jhinjhoti
- Mountain Love Song
- Raga Kirvani
#5. Amjad Ali Khan
D.O.B: 9th October 1945
Spouse(s): Subhalakshmi Barooah (M: 1976)
Awards:
- Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award
- Padma Shri
- Padma Bhushan
- Padma Vibhushan
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
- Banga Vibhushan
- Filmfare Award
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is one of the best musician in India. He is an Indian Classical sarod performer. When he was six years old, he gave his first concert. Amjad Ali Khan has performed at the WOMAD festival in New Zealand and the UK, with memorable late-night Siamese stage sessions with cellist Matthew Barley.
Popular Musics of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan:
- Rang Birangi Titali
- Lalita Gauri
- Dha Dhin Dhin Dha
- Raga Piloo Kafi
- Raag Desh Raagmala
- Ekla Cholo Re
- Raga Bhairavi
#6. Pandit Ravi Shankar
D.O.B: 7th April 1920
Died: 11th December 2012
Spouse(s): Annapurna Devi (M: 1941 – 1982), Sukanya Rajan (M: 1989 – 2012)
Awards:
- Bharat Ratna
- Padma Bhushan
- Padma Vibhushan
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- Kalidas Samman
- Ramon Magsaysay Award
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
- James Parks Morton Interfaith Award
Pandit Ravi Shankar was an Indian Composer and Sitar specialist. He was one of the renowned musicians of India. He was the most famous sitarist of the second half of the 20th century and influenced many other musicians around the world. During his lifetime he won a Grammy Award for his album West Meets East (1966) in collaboration with Menuhin; The Bangladesh Concert (1971).
Popular Musics of Pandit Ravi Shankar:
- Tabla Solo
- Prabhujee
- I Am Missing You
- Raga Jog
- Morning Raga
- Vandanaa Trayee
- Sandhya Raga
#7. Hariprasad Chaurasia
D.O.B: 1st July 1938
Spouse(s): Kamala (M: 1957), Anuradha Aka Angurbala Roy (M: 1958)
Awards:
- Padma Bhushan
- Padma Vibhushan
- Sangeet Natak Academy Award
- Yash Bharati Samman
- Konark Samman
- Pandit Chatur Lal Excellence Award
- Akshaya Samman
Hariprasad Chaurasia is an Indian famous musician and classical music director who plays flute in the Hindustani classical tradition. In 1958 he performed and composed music for All India Radio (AIR) in Frog, Orissa. When he transferred to Bombay from AIR, he played in the film and concert industry. He is the greatest musicians in India.
Popular Musics of Hariprasad Chaurasia:
- Bhupali
- Pahadi Dhun
- Mere Haathon Mein
- Song Of The River
- Raga Brindabani Sarang
- Dekha ek Khwab To Yeh Silsila
#8. Pandit Ram Narayan
D.O.B: 25th December 1927
Spouse(s): Sheela (M: 1950 – Died: 2001)
Awards:
- Padma Vibhushan
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Pandit Ram Narayan is the greatest musician in India. He is famous the bowed instrument sarangi as a solo concert instrument in classical Hindu music and became the first internationally successful Sarani performer.
Popular Musics of Pandit Ram Narayan:
- Raga Marwa
- Sudha Sarang
- Saawariya
- Rag Shankara
- Mishra Bhairavi
#9. Annapurna Devi
D.O.B: 1927
Died: 13th October 2018
Spouse(s): Ravi Shankar (M: 1941, Div: 1982), Rooshikumar Pandya (M: 1982, Died 2013)
Awards:
- Padma Bhushan
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellow
Annapurna Devi was an Indian famous musician and surbahar player of Hindustani Classical music. The former Maharaj Brijnath was given the famous name Annapurna. In 1977, she got the Padma Bhushan award, and in 1991, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Popular Musics of Annapurna Devi:
- Annapurna Stotra
- Annapurna Stotram
- Annapoorna Ashtakam
#10. Lata Mangeshkar
D.O.B: 28th September 1929
Died: 6th February 2022
Awards:
- National Film Awards
- BFJA Awards
- Filmfare Award
- Padma Bhushan
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award
- Maharashtra Bhushan
- Bharat Ratna
- Padma Vibhushan
Lata Mangeshkar was an Indian popular playback singer and composer. She was one of the greatest musicians in India. She has been respected in the Indian music industry for more than seven decades. Very few singers have that kind of reach and sweetness in their voices. After Subhulakshmi, she was the second singer ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna.
Popular Musics of Lata Mangeshkar:
- Humko Humise Chura LO
- Do Pal
- Yeh Galiyan Yeh Chaubara
- Mere Khawabon Mein
- Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai
- Aankhein Khuli
- Valaiyosai
- Lo Chali Main
#11. Brij Bhushan Kabra
D.O.B: 1937
Died: 12th April 2018
Spouse(s): Kamla Kabra
Awards:
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellow
- National Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Brij Bhushan Kabra is a guitarist and famous musicians from India. He was the first Indian musician to play guitar and performed and recorded the successful album Call of the Valley (1967) with bansuri Hariprasad Chaurasia and Santor Shivkumar Sharma. In 1970, His guitar playing gained popularity.
Popular Musics of Brij Bhushan Kabra:
- Om Jai Jagdish Hare
- Moksha Vachan
- Raga Gara
- Shri Ram Runicha Wale Meri Arji Sun Lena
- Dhaniya Bina Re Helo Kun Saanbhsi
#12. T.H. Vinayakram
D.O.B: 11th August 1942
Spouse(s): Kamla Kabra
Awards:
- Grammy Awards
- Padma Shri
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Fellow
- Padma Bhushan
T.H. Vinayakram is a famous Grammy-winning percussionist and is also popularly called the God of Ghatam. He is the greatest musicians in India. He specializes in Carnatic music. He has won various awards including Padma Bhushan, The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and Padma Shri.
Popular Musics of T.H. Vinayakram:
- Lady L
- Ma No Pa
- Mind Ecology
- La Danse du Bonheur.
- Mukti
- Adi Taalam
#13. Begum Akhtar
D.O.B: 7th October 1914
Died: 30th October 1974
Spouse(s): Ishtiaq Ahmed Abbasi
Awards:
- Padma Shri
- Padma Bhushan
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Begum Akhtar’s full name was Akhtari Bai Faizabadi. She was also known as Mallika-e-Ghazal. She was considered the queen of gazal and tumras in Hindu classical music. She has a passion for Urdu poetry. Her famous songs include Diwana Banana Hai and Hamari Atariya Pe.
Popular Musics of Begum Akhtar:
- Wo Hans Rahe Hain Aah Kiye Jaa
- Ai Prem Teri Balihari Ho
- Rehne Laga Hai Dil Me Andhera
- Kalyug Hai Jabse Aaya Maya Ne
- Main Raja Ko Apne Rijha Ke Rahungi
- Ishq Mujhe Aur Kuchh To Yaad Nahi
- Phir Fasle Bahaar Aayi Hai
- Char Dino Ki Jawani Matwale
#14. M.S. Subbulakshmi
D.O.B: 16th September 1916
Died: 11th December 2004
Spouse(s): Kalki Sadasivam (M: 1940-1997)
Awards:
- Padma Bhushan
- Bharat Ratna
- Padma Vibhushan
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- Kalidas Samman
- Sangeetha Kajakidhi
Legendary Carnatic singer M.S. Subbulakshmi was one of the greatest musicians in India. She was the first musician who was awarded the Bharat Ratna. She also received the Ramon Magsaysay Award. She was hailed as the “Queen of Music” by Jawaharlal Nehru. She was one of the greatest musicians in India that we need to know and hear.
Popular Musics of M.S. Subbulakshmi:
- Vishnu Sahasranaman
- Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam
- Hanuman Chalisa
- Lakshmi Ashtothram
- Kanakadharastavam
#15. Jagjit Singh
D.O.B: 8th February 1941
Died: 10th October 2011
Spouse(s): Chitra Singh (M: 1969)
Awards:
- Padma Bhushan
- Gima Award
- Indian Telly Award
Jagjit Singh was an Indian composer, singer and musician. He wrote and sang in various languages and was credited with the rise and popularity of Gazala, India’s classical art form. He was considered the most successful Gazelle singer and songwriter of all time. Jagjit Singh was a popular musicians of India.
Popular Musics of Jagjit Singh:
- Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho
- Hothon Se Chhu Lo Tum
- Chithi Na Koi Sandesh
- Koi Fariyaad
- Koi Yeh Kaise Bataye
- Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar
#16. MS Gopalakrishnan
D.O.B: 10th June 1931
Died: 3rd January 2013
Spouse(s): Meenakshi
Awards:
- Violin Vadhya Samrat
- Padma Shri
- Violin Vadhya Chakravarthy
- Padma Bhushan
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Ratna
MS Gopalakrishnan was the greatest musician of all time. She was a violinist in the Carnatic music scene. She conducted extensive research on violin playing techniques. She developed a new unique style called the “Parur style”
Popular musics of MS Gopalakrishnan:
- Raga Kamboji
- Samaja Vara Gamana
- Manamu Leda
- Bhavanuta
- Raga Sindhubhairavi
- Raga Behag
- Manasa Sancharare
#17. O.P.Nayyar
D.O.B: 16th January 1926
Died: 28th January 2007
Spouse(s): Saroj Mohini Nayyar
Awards:
- Filmfare Award
- Nandi Award
Omkar Prasad Nayyar was another great musicians of India. He was an Indian singer-songwriter, music composer, and music producer. He was known as one of the most melodious and rhythmic music directors in the Hindi film industry.
Popular Musics of Omkar Prasad Nayyar:
- Leke Pahla Pyar
- Huzoorewala
- Aaye Hain Door Se
- Uden Jab Jab Zulfen Teri
Conclusion
There are so many Indian famous musicians who won fans’ hearts with their voices and instruments. In this guide, we have prepared a list of the top 17 greatest musicians in India. Please let us know who is your favorite musician.
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