Indian music has world-class acclaim and is popular for its versatility in tone and linguistics. The ragas in Indian music never fail to evoke the diverse emotions of humans. It is indeed the vocalists who are taking the music beyond mere entertainment. They have redefined Hindustani and Classical music, thus making it a timeless charm with the right chords. Here are the top ten famous Indian classical singers in India, who have indeed transformed music through their love for the art form and their deep knowledge in Music.
1. Gaujar Jaan:
Gaujar Jaan is the first ever recorded artist in India and is indeed a pioneer in Indian classical music, who rose to popularity in the last 19th century. She started her music journey at a very young age, and she mastered the nuances of Hindustani classical music. She specialized in Tarana, Thumri, Kajri, and Dadra, and it was her soulful voice that led her to become the most celebrated singer in India. She is the first woman to have recorded music commercially and has recorded more than 600 songs in two decades.
2. S. Subbulakhsmi:
M.S. Subbulakhsmi is a master of Indian classical singing and Hindustani singing and has won a number of awards and accolades for her impressive work. Her expertise in the field of music has revolutionized it, and she is a pioneer in singing bhajans and devotional songs. She was indeed the first Indian to have performed at the United Nations General Assembly and was the first Indian to have been awarded the highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. Her mesmerizing voice and her intricate singing techniques and voice modulations have shaped her as an icon in the classical singing space.
3. Girija Devi:
Girija Devi is known for her unique singing style and her ability to sing in both classical and semi-classical songs. Her classical singing career lasted for many decades, and she has trained hundreds of students. She has imparted the best knowledge and skills to her students and has mastered the nuances of Hindustani classical music. She has been given the title of the Queen of Thumri, and she chose to continue her music heritage by training aspiring students.
4. L. Vasanthakumari:
One of the significant contributions of M. L.Vasanthakumari was to popularize the unique and unconventional ragas of Indian music. She was indeed an expert in singing complex ragas and was also highly appreciated for the same. She was the most versatile classical vocalist who could switch between ornate and melodious rages effortlessly. She could sing in a number of Indian languages and her voice has a very soothing quality. She is also known to have broken the stereotype by singing the notes and styles that were practiced by male singers.
5. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi:
He is a versed name in the paradigm of Indian classical music. He was the first ever singer in India to have his concert posters advertised in New York. He has a long six-decade signing career, during which he toured in the USA, Italy, Canada, France, and Afghanistan. He was the master of the devotional and the Hindustani classical music. He struck the right balance between the commercial and the traditional music, reaching every nook and corner of India. He also inspired a generation of young and talented singers.
6. Pandit Jasraj:
Pandit Jasraj was one of the most prominent classical vocalists in India. He has worked with multiple composers and musicians and contributed to their innovations significantly in different genres. In his music journey of 75 years, he has ventured into devotional music, classical and semi-classical songs, singing for musical albums, and playback singing as well. He has received a number of awards for his musical journey. He has also trained hundreds of students in the USA, Canada, and India, inspiring young singers to follow in his footsteps.
7. Ustad Amir Khan:
He is a musical maestro and an iconic figure in Indian classical music. He excelled in multiple music styles and forms right from a young age. He is known for blending the two distinct music genres, Khyal and Dhrupad, and finding the Gharana in Hindustani classical music. He is known for making use of intricate ornamentations in his music, followed by simple ragas. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan and the Presidential Award for his music compositions.
8. Lata Mangeshkar:
She was fondly remembers as the nightingale of India. She has an exceptional music career that spanned for over seven decades. She is a well known figure in the Indian cinema and is acclaimed for her soulful single, sweet voice, versatile singing and for her ability to convey diverse emotions through her voice. It was these qualities that transformed her to be an unparalleled legend in the field of playback singing.
9. Balamuralikrishna:
He was indeed a legend in Carnatic music, who started singing at the age of 6 years. He has the honor of being a self taught musician, who has performed more than 400 compositions. His voice is known for its amazing control that spans three octaves. He was also acclaimed to have created ragas like the Lavangi and Mahati and he has the unique ability to experiment music within the classical framework.
10. Begum Parween Sultana:
Begum Parween Sultana is an exceptional singer and is a celebrated voice in Hindustani classical music. She started training under her father at a very young age and is known for her melodious voice and exceptional technical brilliance. Her voice is known for its exceptional range, spanning many octaves. Her voice also allows her to traverse from the lower to the higher pitches without much effort.
The musical journey of all these singers stands as a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and their love for the art. Their lives show us that success is not instant but is a result of years of hard work and effort. These music legends continue to inspire millions of people to pursue the art with discipline and passion.
